FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



could find. They not only refused them, but were 

 afraid of them. Any thoughtless Locust that meekly 

 approached an Empusa met with a bad reception. The 

 pointed mitre was lowered, and an angry thrust sent the 

 Locust rolling. The wizard's cap, then, is a defensive 

 weapon. As the Ram charges with his forehead, so the 

 Empusa butts with her mitre. 



I next offered her a live House-fly, and this time the 

 dinner was accepted at once. The moment the Fly came 

 within reach the watchful Devilkin turned her head, bent 

 her corselet slantwise, harpooned the Fly, and gripped it 

 between her two saws. No Cat could pounce more 

 quickly on a Mouse. 



To my surprise I found that the Fly was not only 

 enough for a meal, but enough for the whole day, and 

 often for several days. These fierce-looking insects are 

 extremely abstemious. I was expecting them to be ogres, 

 and found them with the delicate appetites of invalids. 

 After a time even a Midge failed to tempt them, and 

 through the winter months they fasted altogether. 

 When the spring came, however, they were ready to in- 

 dulge in a small piece of Cabbage Butterfly or Locust; 

 attacking their prey invariably in the neck, like the 

 Mantis. 



The young Empusa has one very curious habit when in 

 captivity. In its cage of wire-gauze its attitude is the 



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