THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
193 
then turn to the mantis family, and observe 
the odd camel cricket, or hunt up a specimen 
of the wingless Phasma, or walking-stick. In 
these grotesque figures it will be evident that 
Nature has a rich sense of the humorous in 
working out her adaptations and purposes. 
“ Who but has listened curiously to the gar¬ 
rulous evening tattle of the katydid, that noisy 
harbinger of frosts, ripened nuts, and apples ? 
Beguiled by its saucy notes, if one has been 
persevering enough to search out the hidden 
gossip, its pair of green wings and the richer 
twain beneath, and its curious manner of vocal¬ 
ization, have abundantly repaid for the diligence. 
“ The familiar grasshoppers—or, more prop¬ 
erly, the locusts—are known to all in all lands. 
With their gauzy wings richly striped, and their 
many interesting habits, the study of them is 
not without deep interest; but time will not 
admit of extended description here. 
“ Alas! the rose has its thorns, the bee its 
sting; and so all that is wonderful and beautiful 
is hedged about with cautions to quicken our 
sensibilities. What more seemingly harmless 
than the insignificant curculio or weevil, Colo¬ 
rado bug or army-worm ? But how terrible 
17 N 
