CHAPTER IV 



THE PRAYING MANTIS 

 I 



HER HUNTING 



Y "^\HERE is an insect of the south that is quite as 



interesting as the Cicada, but much less famous, 



because it makes no noise. Had it been provided 



with cymbals, its renown would have been greater 



than the celebrated musician's, for it is most unusual both 



in shape and habits. 



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

 was named Mantis, or the Prophet. The peasant saw her on 

 the sun-scorched grass, standing half-erect in a very imposing 

 and majestic manner, with her broad green gossamer wings 

 trailing like long veils, and her fore-legs, like arms, raised to 

 the sky as though in prayer. To the peasant's ignorance the 

 insect seemed like a priestess or a nun, and so she came to be 

 called the Praying Mantis. 



There was never a greater mistake ! Those pious airs 

 are a fraud ; those arms raised in prayer are really the most 

 horrible weapons, which slay whatever passes within reach. 

 The Mantis is fierce as a tigress, cruel as an ogress. She feeds 

 only on living creatures. 



There is nothing in her appearance to inspire dread. She 

 is not without a certain beauty, with her slender, graceful 

 figure, her pale-green colouring, and her long gauze wings. 

 Having a flexible neck, she can move her head freely in all 

 directions. She is the only insect that can direct her gaze 

 wherever she will. She almost has a face. 



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