The Life of the Grasshopper 



Mantis, the Grey Mantis works at night, an 

 unfortunate circumstance for the observer. 



Large in size, curious in build and more- 

 over plainly visible on its stone or its bit of 

 brushwood, the Praying Mantis' nest could 

 not fail to attract the attention of the Pro- 

 vengal peasant. It is, in fact, very well- 

 known in the country districts, where it bears 

 the name of tlgno; it even enjoys a great 

 reputation. Yet nobody seems to be aware 

 of its origin. It is always a matter for sur- 

 prise to my rustic neighbours when I inform 

 them that the famous tigno is the nest of the 

 common Prego-Dleu. Their ignorance might 

 well be due to the Mantis' habit of laying 

 her eggs at night. The insect has never been 

 caught working at her nest in the mysterious 

 darkness; and the link between the worker 

 and the work is missing, though both are 

 known to every one in the village. 



No matter: the singular object exists; it 

 attracts the eye, it captivates the attention. 

 It must therefore be good for something, it 

 must possess virtues. Thus, throughout the 

 ages, have the ingenuous argued, hoping to 

 find in the unfamiliar an alleviation of their 

 pains. 



By general consent, the rural pharma- 

 166 



