The Life of the Grasshopper 



part consists of two crystalline nipples the 

 size of pepper-corns. To rid itself of this 

 plug, the insect assumes a curious attitude. 

 The ovipositor is driven half-way into the 

 earth, perpendicularly. That will be the 

 prop. The long hind-legs straighten out, 

 raise the creature as high as possible and 

 form a tripod with the sabre. 



Then the insect again curves itself into a 

 complete circle and, with its mandibles, 

 crumbles to atoms the end of the apparatus, 

 consisting of a plug of clearest jelly. All 

 these remnants are scrupulously swallowed. 

 Not a scrap must be lost. Lastly, the 

 ovipositor is washed, wiped, smoothed with 

 the tips of the palpi. Everything Is put In 

 order again; nothing remains of the cum- 

 brous load. The normal pose Is resumed 

 and the Dectlcus goes back to pilfering the 

 ears of millet. 



To return to the male. Limp and ex- 

 hausted, as though shattered by his exploit, 

 he remains where he Is, all shrivelled and 

 shrunk. He Is so motionless that I believe 

 him dead. Not a bit of It! The gallant 

 fellow recovers his spirits, picks himself up, 

 polishes himself and goes off. A quarter of 

 an hour later, when he has taken a fewmouth- 



226 



