Cerocomae, Mylabres and Zonites 



her head and tucking her abdomen under her, 

 as though to escape the erotic thunderstorm 

 that is bursting upon her back. But the 

 paroxysm calms down. The male extends 

 his fore-legs, shaken by a nervous tremor, 

 like the arms of a cross and in this ecstatic 

 posture seems to call upon the heavens to 

 witness the ardour of his desires. The 

 antennae and the belly are held motionless, 

 in a straight line; the head and the corselet 

 alone continue to heave rapidly up and down. 

 This period of repose does not last long. 

 Short as it is, the female, her appetite undis- 

 turbed by the passionate protestations of her 

 wooer, imperturbably resumes the nibbling 

 of her leaf. 



Another paroxysm bursts forth. Once 

 more the male's blows rain upon the neck of 

 the tightly-clasped victim, who hastens to bow 

 her head upon her breast. But he has no 

 intention of allowing his lady-love to escape. 

 With his fore-legs, using a special notch 

 placed at the juncture of the leg and the 

 tarsus, he seizes both her antennae. The 

 tarsus folds back; and the antennae are held as 

 in a vice. The suitor pulls; and the callous 

 one is forced to raise her head. In this 

 posture the male reminds one of a horseman 

 proudly sitting his steed and holding the 

 167 



