The Life of the Grasshopper 



velope? Because the nest of the Grey- 

 Mantis, Hke that of the Praying Mantis, has 

 to last through the winter, exposed on its 

 bough or stone to all the dangers of the bad 

 weather. 



On the other hand, in spite of her size, 

 which Is equal to that of the Praying Mantis, 

 Empusa patiperata, who is the most curious 

 of our Insects, builds a nest as small as that of 

 the Grey Mantis. It is a very modest edifice, 

 consisting of a small number of cells set side 

 by side in three or four rows joined together. 

 Here there is no frothy envelope at all, 

 though the nest, like those mentioned above. 

 Is fixed In an exposed situation on some twig 

 or broken stone. This absence of a non- 

 conducting mattress points to a difference In 

 climatic conditions. The Empusa's eggs, In 

 fact, hatch soon after they are laid, during 

 the fine weather. Not having to undergo 

 the Inclemencies of winter, they have no pro- 

 tection but the slender sheath of their cases. 



Are these scrupulous and rational precau- 

 tions, which rival Rumford's omelette soiif- 

 fiee, a casual result, one of those numberless 

 combinations turned out by the wheel of for- 

 tune? If so, let us not shrink from any 

 absurdity, but recognize straightway that the 



162 



