i66 INSECT LIFE 



XII 



it. Posted on some bush near the burrows, it waits 

 until chance brings some Sphex returning home 

 within reach, thus achieving a double capture, catch- 

 ing together Sphex and prey. Its patience is long 

 tried ; the Sphex is suspicious and on her guard, but 

 from time to time a rash one lets herself be caught. 

 By a sudden rustle of half- spread wings, as by 

 a convulsive movement, the Mantis terrifies the 

 approaching Sphex, which hesitates for a moment, 

 and then with the suddenness of a spring the toothed 

 forearm folds back on an arm also toothed, and the 

 insect is seized between the blades of the double 

 saw, as though the jaws of a wolf trap were closing 

 on the beast as it takes the bait. Then, without 

 unclosing the cruel machine, the Mantis gnaws little 

 mouthfuls of its victim. Such are the ecstasies, the 

 prayers, and the mystic meditations of the Prego 

 Dieou. 



Among the scenes of carnage which the Mantis 

 has left in my memory, let me describe the following. 

 It passes before a working- place of Philanthus 

 apivorus. These miners nourish their larvae with 

 hive-bees, which they seize on flowers while collecting 

 pollen and honey. If the Philanthus feels that the 

 bee is full of honey, it does not fail to squeeze it 

 before storing it, either on the way, or at the entrance 

 of the hole, to make it disgorge the delicious liquid ; 

 this it drinks by licking the tongue of the unfor- 

 tunate bee, which, dying, extends it at full length. 

 This profanation of a dying creature, squeezed by its 

 murderer to empty its body and enjoy the contents, 

 has something so hideous that I should call it a 

 crime if a Philanthus could be held responsible. In 



