236 iindieect benefits derived from insects. 



other until one only survived ^ ; and De Geer relates several 

 similar instances.^ The younger larvae of Calosoma Sycophanta 

 often take advantage of the helpless inactivity into which the 

 gluttony of their maturer comrades has thrown them, and from 

 mere wantonness, it should seem, when in no need of other food, 

 pierce and devour them. A ferocity not less savage exists 

 amongst the Mantes. These insects have their fore-legs of a 

 construction not unlike that of a sabre ; and they can as dex- 

 terously cleave their antagonist in two, or cut off his head at 

 a stroke, as the most expert hussar. In this way they often 

 treat each other, even the sexes fighting with the most savage 

 animosity. Rosel endeavoured to rear several specimens of 

 M. religiosa, but always failed, the stronger constantly devour- 

 ing the weaker.^ This ferocious propensity the Chinese 

 children have, according to Mr. Barrow, employed as a source 

 of barbarous amusement, selling to their comrades bamboo 

 cages containing each a Mantis, which are put together to fight. 

 You will think it singular that both in Europe and Africa 

 these cruel insects have obtained a character for gentleness of 

 disposition, and even sanctity. This has arisen from the 

 upright or sitting position, with the fore legs bent, assumed in 

 watching for their prey, which the vulgar have supposed to be 

 a praying posture, and hence adopted the belief that a child or 

 traveller that had lost his road would be guided by taking one 

 of these pious insects in his hand, and observing what way it 

 pointed. Mantis fausta, though not as some suppose worshipped 

 by the Hottentots, is yet greatly esteemed by them, and they 

 regard the person upon whom it alights as highly fortunate.* 

 A similar unnatural ferocity is exhibited by Gryllus campestris, 

 of which, having put the sexes into a box, I found on examin- 

 ing them that the female had begun to make her meal off her 

 companion. The malign aspect of the scorpion leads us to 

 expect from it unnatural cruelty, and its manners fulfil this 

 expectation. Maupertuis put a hundred scorpions together, 

 and a general and murderous battle immediately began. 



1 Reaumur, ii. 413. This habit is well known to our practical Lepidopterists, 

 who have given the name of the Monster Caterpillar to one of these cannibal 

 species ; a memoir upon which by Mr. Thrupp was lately read before the Entomo- 

 logical Society. 



2 De Geer, i. 533. iii. 361. v. 400. vi. 91. 3 Rosel, iv. 96. 

 4 Thunberg's Travels, ii. 66. 



