CHAPTER IV 



THE PRAYING MANTIS 



HER HUNTING 



THERE is an insect of the south that is quite as 

 interesting as the Cicada, but much less famous, 

 because it makes no noise. Had it been pro- 

 vided with cymbals, its renown would have been greater 

 than the celebrated musician's, for it is most unusual 

 both in shape and habits. 



A long time ago, in the days of ancient Greece, this 

 insect was named Mantis, or the Prophet. The peasant 

 saw her on the sun-scorched grass, standing half-erect 

 in a very imposing and majestic manner, with her broad 

 green gossamer wings trailing like long veils, and her 

 fore-legs, like arms, raised to the sky as though in prayer. 

 To the peasant's ignorance the insect seemed like a 

 priestess or a nun, and so she came to be called the 

 Praying Mantis. 



There was never a greater mistake! Those pious 

 airs are a fraud; those arms raised in prayer are really 

 the most horrible weapons, which slay whatever passes 



[40] 



