THE GLOW-WORM 



For a moment the Glow-worm examines his prey, 

 which, according to its habit, is completely hidden in the 

 shell, except for the edge of the "mantle," which 

 projects slightly. Then the hunter draws his weapon. 

 It is a very simple weapon, but it cannot be seen without 

 a magnifying-glass. It consists of two mandibles, bent 

 back into a hook, very sharp and as thin as a hair. 

 Through the microscope one can see a slender groove 

 running down the hook. And that is all. 



The insect repeatedly taps the Snail's mantle with its 

 instrument. It all happens with such gentleness as to 

 suggest kisses rather than bites. As children, teasing 

 one another, we used to talk of "tweaks" to express a 

 slight squeeze of the finger-tips, something more like 

 tickling than a serious pinch. Let us use that word. 

 In conversation with animals, language loses nothing by 

 remaining simple. The Glow-worm gives tweaks to 

 the Snail. 



He doles them out methodically, without hurrying, 

 and takes a brief rest after each of them, as though to 

 find out what effect has been produced. The number 

 of tweaks is not great : half a dozen at most, which are 

 enough to make the Snail motionless, and to rob him of all 

 feeling. That other pinches are administered later, at 

 the time of eating, seems very likely, but I cannot say 

 anything for certain on that subject. The first few, 



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