180 



LIFE, IX ITS INTERMEDIATE FORMS. 



bedposts, is one still smaller. Very few of this great 

 group render the slightest direct service to mankind ; we 

 do not at this moment recollect any but the Cantha?*is } or 

 Blister-fly, which is useful in surgery. 



Those insects which have the fore-wings somewhat 

 leathery, but less rigid than those of Beetles, and sheath- 

 ing the lower pair in such a way that their edges overlap 

 each other, are called Orthoptera, or Straight-icings. The 

 Locust, Grasshopper, and Cricket, all of which make a 

 crinking sort of music by rubbing their stiff wings in 

 various ways over each other, are of this sort : and so is 

 the Earwig, that spoils our dahlias by eating holes in 

 their tender petals, and the ferocious Mantis of the tropics, 

 that holds up its sawlike arms as if in the attitude of 

 prayer (hence called Prie-Dieu), but really watching to 

 smite down any unwary fly that may be passing, and to 

 seize it between the locking-spines of its fore-arms. 



Who that has sauntered by a river's side in the burning 

 noon of summer is not familiar with the arrowy Dragonfly ? 

 He swoops down in wide curves, and just touches the 

 water in his rushing flight, and turns, and darts to and 

 fro, with a speed and a power that seem to mock the ring- 

 net of the eager insect-hunter. The sun's ray gleams from 

 the ample pinions as they speed past our eyes, as from 

 surfaces of polished steel, and the long and slender body 

 that is poised behind is clad in mail of green, and azure, 

 and gold. Ha ! we have struck down the bold warrior 

 with our cane, and there it lies, spinning round in the 

 grass, and rustling its beautiful wings, with tremulous 

 vibrations, in its fruitless attempt to fly. Poor creature, 

 thou wilt fly no more ! no more will the vigorous impulses 



