ORTHOPTEBA. 



289 



devotee, and you will see it stealthily approach it, like a cat who 

 is watching a mouse, and with so much precaution that you can 

 scarcely see that it is moving. Then, all of a sudden, as quick as 



Fig. 302. Mantis religiosa and its larva (A). Blepharis mendica and its larva (B). 



lightning, it seizes its victim between its legs, provided with 

 sharp spines, which cross each other, conveys it to its mouth, 

 and devours it. Our make-believe Nun, Preacher, our Prega- 



u 



