The Life of the Grasshopper 



tened spindle, carries on the front half 

 of its lower surface two rows of sharp 

 spikes. In the inner row there are a 

 dozen, alternately black and green, the green 

 being shorter than the black. This alterna- 

 tion of unequal lengths increases the number 

 of cogs and improves rhe effectiveness of the 

 weapon. The outer row is simpler and has 

 only four teeth. Lastly, three spurs, the 

 longest of all, stand out behind the two rows. 

 In short, the thigh is a saw with two parallel 

 blades, separated by a groove in which the 

 leg lies when folded back. 



The leg, which moves very easily on its 

 joint with the thigh, is likewise a double- 

 edged saw. The teeth are smaller, more 

 numerous and closer together than those on 

 the thigh. It ends in a strong hook whose 

 point vies with the finest needle for sharp- 

 ness, a hook fluted underneath and having a 

 double blade like a curved pruning-knife. 



This hook, a most perfect instrument for 

 piercing and tearing, has left me many a pain- 

 ful memory. How often, when Mantis- 

 hunting, clawed by the insect which I had 

 just caught and not having both hands at 

 liberty, have I been obliged to ask somebody 

 else to release me from my tenacious cap- 



ii6 



