INSECTS. 



so innocently folded upon the breast, are direful weapons 

 held ready to strike as soon as some unsuspecting insect 

 happens within their reach. Let a small grasshopper 

 come near the posing saint: immediately a sly tilt of the 

 head belies the suppliant manner, the crafty eyes leer 

 upon the approaching insect, losing no detail of his 

 movements. Then, suddenly, without warning, the pray- 

 ing mantis becomes a demon in action. With a nice cal- 

 culation ot distance, a swift movement, a snatch of the 



Fig. 46. The praying mantis, Stagmomantis Carolina, and remains of its 

 last meal. (Length ^} 2 inches) 



terrible clasps, the unlucky grasshopper is a doomed 

 captive, as securely held as if a steel trap had closed upon 

 his body. As the hapless creature kicks and wrestles, the 

 jaws of the captor sink into the back of his head, evidently 

 in search of the brain; and hardly do his weakening strug- 

 gles cease before the victim is devoured. Legs, wings, 

 and other fragments unsuitable to the taste of an epicure 

 are thrown aside, when once more the mantis sinks into 

 repose, piously folds his arms, and meekly awaits the 



[74] 



