INSECT INTRUDERS. 



of the whole body and another lightning- 

 like movement of a leg. And so the ad- 

 vance is made step by step until the prey 

 is within reaching grasp of the terrible 

 forelegs. A movement which it is impos- 

 sible to analyse, it is so rapid, and 

 the prey is seen struggling helplessly 

 in a grasp from which there is no 

 escape. 



Have you ever inspected these forelegs 

 of the praying insect? You will see 

 that two long joints are so placed that 

 they fold up one on the other. Each of 

 them is furnished with sharp spiky teeth 

 or spines, set backwards, which fit one 

 into the other. The position in which 

 these legs are held is one of supplication, 

 but that prayer is wholly concerned with 

 affairs mundane, 

 for once they get 

 within seizing dis- ^ 

 tance, the attitude 

 of supplication 

 disappears and one 

 no 



