212 THE HARMONIES OF NATURE. 



The insects are not only provided with abundant means of 

 defence -they are equally well equipped for aggressive warfare. 

 The herbivorous genera, which are by far the most abundant, 

 require, of course, no extraordinary weapons or stratagems for 

 procuring their subsistence ; wherever they are called into exis- 

 tence they find the table richly furnished, and their innume- 

 rable legions peacefully share in the countless fruits, leaves, 

 blossoms, stems, and roots of the forests and the fields. 



The parasitical insects likewise lead an easy life, sipping the 

 juices which others have elaborated, and indolently quaffing at 

 perennial fountains ; but the case is very different with the 

 predaceous insects, which, like the carnivorous quadrupeds 

 and birds of prey, can only maintain themselves by artifice or 

 violence, by swiftness or patience, and, after long delays and 

 exertions, are frequently only rewarded with a meagre repast. 

 Yet no soldier enters the field better equipped than they ; and 

 though they have greater trouble in obtaining their food than 

 their herbivorous or parasitical relations, they are amply re- 

 warded by the pleasures of the chase. Many, like the carabi 

 and cicindela?, have strong muscular legs, which enable them 

 to overtake their prey, before it can conceal itself in some 

 crevice ; others, like the numerous genera of the hydrophili and 

 dytisci, trust to their expertness in swimming ; while others 

 again, like the libellulae, cleave the air with lightning-like 

 rapidity. 



Many are provided with venomous stings, or with a poison 

 ejected through the mandible, so that their bite is fatal; in 

 others, the forefeet are converted into admirable instruments 

 for the seizure of their prey. Thus, in the common gyrinus or 

 water-flea, these members are much longer than the hind-legs, 

 and seize the smaller aquatic animals with the same dexterity 

 and force as the claws of the crab. In the mantidse they are 



developed to an enormous length, 

 and formed in such a manner that 

 the tibia closes like a clasp-knife, on 

 the sharp edge of the thigh. Thus 

 armed, the mantis, like a cat ap- 



Mantis. preaching a mouse, and under the 



(Mantis religiosa.) ... ' 



cover of her leal-like disguise, moves 

 almost imperceptibly along, and steals towards her pre}^, fearful 



