The Wonderful Ways of Insects and Spiders [ 279 



WHICH IS THE WALKING STICK, WHICH IS THE TWIG? 



This aptly named insect is one of nature's most amazing examples of camouflage. 

 Its color follows the seasons: green in springtime, brown in autumn to blend with 

 the changing hues of the leaves. The walking stick can also play dead for several 

 hours, if need be. It feeds on leaves, and is active mostly at night. 



The Misunderstood Spiders 



Most of us think of the classic struggle between the spider and 

 the fly as a war between two kinds of insects. But the spider is not 

 an insect at all! Your youngster can discover this for himself if 

 he watches one closely and counts its legs. The spider has eight 

 legs two more than an adult insect. Another distinction is that 

 a spider has only two major body divisions the head and thorax 

 merged into one unit, and the abdomen whereas an insect has 

 three. Still another difference is that a spider, unlike an insect, 

 has no antennae. 



THE SPIDER'S POISONOUS BITE 



Spiders are widely misunderstood, much as snakes are. 

 Many people believe that all spiders should be avoided or killed, 

 that a spider bite is often fatal. In the United States we must 

 beware of just two kinds: the tarantula and the black widow. Even 



