84 FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



rows. The crook is propped on four long, thin legs, like 

 stilts ; and on each of these legs, at the point where the thigh 

 joins the shin, is a curved, projecting blade not unlike that 

 of a cleaver. 



In front of this crook on stilts, this four-legged stool, 

 there rises suddenly very long and almost perpendicular 

 the stiff corselet or bust. It is round and slender as a straw, 

 and at the end of it is the hunting-trap, copied from that 

 of the Mantis. This consists of a harpoon sharper than a 

 needle, and a cruel vice with jaws toothed like a saw. The 

 jaw, or blade formed by the upper arm, is hollowed into a 

 groove and carries five long spikes on each side, with smaller 

 indentations in between. The jaw formed by the fore-arm 

 is grooved in the same way, but the teeth are finer, closer, 

 and more regular. When at rest, the saw of the fore-arm 

 fits into the groove of the upper arm. If the machine were 

 only larger it would be a fearful instrument of torture. 



The head is in keeping with this arsenal. What a queer 

 head it is ! A pointed face, with curled moustaches ; large 

 goggle eyes ; between them the blade of a dirk ; and on the 

 forehead a mad, unheard-of thing a sort of tall mitre, an 

 extravagant head-dress that juts forward, spreading right 

 and left into peaked wings. What does the Devilkin want 

 with that monstrous pointed cap, as magnificent as any ever 

 worn by astrologer of old ? The use of it will appear pre- 

 sently. 



The creature's colouring at this time is commonplace 

 chiefly grey. As it develops it becomes faintly striped with 

 pale green, white, and pink. 



If you come across this fantastic object in the bramble- 

 bushes, it sways upon its four stilts, it wags its head at you 

 knowingly, it twists its mitre round and peers over its shoulder. 

 You seem to see mischief in its pointed face. But if you try 

 to take hold of it this threatening attitude disappears at 

 once ; the raised corselet is lowered, and the creature makes 

 off with mighty strides, helping itself along with its weapons, 



