FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



with a little skill and patience. Everything went well: 

 there was no dislocation of the shoulders, the membranes 

 were not creased. 



I almost expected the Cricket to sing, but I was soon 

 undeceived. He submitted for a few moments; but 

 then, finding himself uncomfortable, he made an effort 

 and restored his instrument to its usual position. In 

 vain I repeated the operation: the Cricket's obstinacy 

 triumphed over mine. 



Then I thought I would make the attempt while the 

 wing-cases were quite new and plastic, at the moment 

 when the larva casts its skin. I secured one at the point 

 of being transformed. At this stage the future wings 

 and wing-cases form four tiny flaps, which, by their shape 

 and scantiness, and by the way they stick out in different 

 directions, remind me of the short jackets worn by the 

 Auvergne cheesemakers. The larva cast off these gar- 

 ments before my eyes. 



The wing-cases developed bit by bit, and opened out. 

 There was no sign to tell me which would overlap the 

 other. Then the edges touched : a few moments longer 

 and the right would be over the left. This was the time 

 to intervene. 



With a straw I gently changed the position, bringing 

 the left edge over the right. In spite of some protest 

 from the insect I was quite successful: the left wing- 

 case pushed forward, though only very little. Then I 



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