TWO STRANGE GRASSHOPPERS 87 



Bird's toes, possess the power of gripping more tightly in 

 proportion to the violence of the wind. However that may 

 be, there are several kinds of Wasps and Bees who adopt 

 this strange position, gripping a stalk with their mandibles, 

 and sleeping with their bodies outstretched and their legs 

 folded back. This state of things makes us wonder what it 

 is that really constitutes rest. 



About the middle of May the Empusa is transformed into 

 her full-grown condition. She is even more remarkable in 

 figure and attire than the Praying Mantis. She still keeps 

 some of her youthful eccentricities the pointed mitre, the 

 saw-like arm-guards, the long slender bust, the weapons on 

 her knees, and the three rows of scales on the lower surface 

 of her body. But she is now no longer twisted into a crook, 

 and is comelier to look upon. Large pale-green wings, pink 

 at the shoulder and swift in flight, cover the white and green 

 stripes that ornament the body below. The male Empusa, 

 who is a dandy, adorns himself, like some of the Moths, with 

 feathery antennae. 



When, in the spring, the peasant meets the Empusa, he 

 thinks he sees the common Praying Mantis, who is a daughter 

 of the autumn. They are so much alike that one would 

 expect them to have the same habits. In fact, any one might 

 be tempted, led away by the extraordinary armour, to suspect 

 the Empusa of a mode of life even more atrocious than that 

 of the Mantis. This would be a mistake : for all their war- 

 like aspect the Empusse are peaceful creatures. 



Imprisoned in their wire-gauze bell- jar, either in groups 

 of half a dozen or in separate couples, they at no time lose 

 their placidity. Even in their full-grown state they are 

 very small eaters, and content themselves with a Fly or 

 two as their daily ration. 



Big eaters are naturally quarrelsome. The Mantis, gorged 

 with Locusts, soon becomes irritated and shows fight. The 

 Empusa, with her frugal meals, is a lover of peace. She 

 indulges in no quarrels with her neighbours, nor does she 



