CAMEL CRICKET. 
305 
in pieces. In these mutual conflicts their mar 
noeuvres, according to Roesel, yery much resemble 
a battle between two Hussars ; for they use their 
long fore-legs like sabres, and sometimes one of 
them wdl cleave the other through at a single 
stroke, or strike off his head from his body. A 
most revengeful spirit seems to actuate these little 
creatures ; for the body of the vanquished is always 
devoured by the conqueror. 
This quarrelsome disposition in the mantis has 
jiot escaped the Chinese, who are said to train 
them up like game-cocks, and make them fight 
for their amusement. Mr. Barrow has the follow- 
ing passage in his account of China, which alludes 
to this insect. “ They have even extended their 
inquiries after fighting animals into the insect tribe, 
and have discovered a species of gryllus, or locust, 
that will attack each other with such ferocity as 
seldom to quit their hold without bringing away 
at the same time a limb of their antagonist. These 
little creatures are fed and kept apart in bamboo- 
cages ; and the custom of making them devour each 
other is so common, that, during the summer 
months, scarcely a boy is to be seen without his 
cage of grasshoppers.” 
It appears that these insects are barbarians from 
their birth : they are no sooner hatched than their 
disposition begins to show itself, and the little 
savages will even neglect their food to prey upon 
each other. Roesel, who tried to raise a number 
VOL. II. 
x 
