More Beetles 



soon as the danger is past; all likewise per- 

 sist in their silence when absolutely at rest. 

 I never knew any of the three to sound his 

 instrument apart from the alarm to which I 

 subjected them. 



Others, supplied with highly improved 

 instruments, sing to beguile their solitude, to 

 summon each other to the wedding, to cele- 

 brate the joys of life and the festival of the 

 sunshine. Most of these singers are mute 

 in a moment of danger. At the least disturb- 

 ance, the Dectlcus^ shuts up his musical box 

 and veils his dulcimer, on whose notes he was 

 playing with his bow; the Cricket^ furls the 

 wings which were vibrating above his back. 

 On the other hand, the Cicada raises a des- 

 perate outcry in our fingers; and the Ephlp- 

 piges ^ bemoans his fate in a minor key. 

 Sorrows and joys are translated into the same 

 tongue, so that it becomes difficult to say for 

 what exact purpose the stridulating organ is 

 Intended. When left in peace, does the in- 

 sect actually celebrate Its happiness? When 

 teased, does it bewail its misfortune? Does 



1 Cf. The Life of the Grasshopper: chaps, xii. and 

 xiii. — Translator's Note. 



2 Cf. idem: chaps, xv. and xvi. — Translator's Note. 



3 Cf. idem: chaps, xiii. and xiv. — Translator's Note. 



206 



