THE PRAYING MANTIS 



are not confined to other kinds of insects. For all her 

 sanctimonious airs she is a cannibal. She will eat her 

 sister as calmly as though she were a Grasshopper; and 

 those around her will make no protest, being quite ready 

 to do the same on the first opportunity. Indeed, she even 

 makes a habit of devouring her mate, whom she seizes 

 by the neck and then swallows by little mouthfuls, leav- 

 ing only the wings. 



She is worse than the Wolf; for it is said that even 

 Wolves never eat each other. 



II 



HER NEST 



After all, however, the Mantis has her good points, 

 like most people. She makes a most marvellous nest. 



This nest is to be found more or less everywhere in 

 sunny places: on stones, wood, vine-stocks, twigs, 

 or dry grass, and even on such things as bits of brick, 

 strips of linen, or the shrivelled leather of an old boot. 

 Any support will serve, as long as there is an uneven 

 surface to form a solid foundation. 



In size the nest is between one and two inches long, 

 and less than an inch wide; and its colour is as golden 

 as a grain of wheat. It is made of a frothy substance, 

 which has become solid and hard, and it smells like silk 



[45] 



