THE DEVIL'S RIDING-HORSE (MANTIDJT). 7 



if need be, for the insidious progress which is part of 

 its crooked policy. No insect, however agile, can escape 

 those merciless paws, the rapidity of the stroke, just 

 described, of which is in marked contrast to this being's 

 other movements, which are of some slowness. 



Although ants seem exempt from approach, mosquitos, 



FIG. 2. Mantis religiosa in devotional attitude. 



flies, and small bees feed the insatiable appetite of the 

 mantidse, they destroy caterpillars and large grasshoppers 

 in great numbers, and make war on walking-sticks and 

 beetles ; but the tougher morsels are generally dis- 

 carded for more succulent delicacies ; and some kinds of 



