LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



THE SACRED BEETLE . . . Frontispiece 

 Sometimes the Scarab seems to enter into partnership with a friend 



THE CICADA ^ 



In July, when most of the insects in my sunny country are parched with 



thirst, the Cicada remains perfectly cheerful 26 



THE PRAYING MANTIS 



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



Mantis, or the Prophet 42 



PELOP^US SPIRIFEX 



When finished the work is amber-yellow, and rather reminds one of the 



outer skin of an onion 80 



THE PSYCHES 



This is the secret of the walking bundle of sticks. It is a Faggot 



Caterpillar, belonging to the group known as the Psyches ... 90 



THE SPANISH COPRIS 



The burrow is almost filled by three or four ovoid nests, standing one 



against the other, with the pointed end upwards 116 



THE WHITE-FACED DECTICUS 



The Greek word dectikos means biting, fond of biting. The Decticus 



is well named. It is eminently an insect given to biting . . . .130 



COMMON WASPS 



The wasp's nest is made of a thin, flexible material like brown paper, 



formed of particles of wood 144 



THE FIELD CRICKET 



Here is one of the humblest of creatures able to lodge himself to 

 perfection. He has a home; he has a peaceful retreat, the first 

 condition of comfort 180 



