The Simulation of Death 



cause he has recognized the absence of 

 danger. Then let us call in another inter- 

 loper, one of formidable size and strength. 

 I happen to have handy a Great Capricorn, 

 with powerful claws and mandibles. That 

 the long-horned insect is a peaceful creature 

 I am well aware; but the Scarites does not 

 know it; on the sands of the shore he has 

 never encountered such a colossus as this, 

 who is capable of impressing less timid 

 creatures than he. Fear of the unknown will 

 merely aggravate the situation. 



Guided by the tip of my straw, the Capri- 

 corn sets his foot upon the prostrate insect. 

 The Scarites' tarsi begin to quiver immedi- 

 ately. If the contact be prolonged or multi- 

 plied, or if it become aggressive, the dead 

 insect gets on its legs again and scuttles off, 

 just as the titillations of the Fly have al- 

 ready shown me. When danger is imminent 

 and all the more to be dreaded because its 

 nature is unknown, the trick of the simulation 

 of death disappears and flight takes its 

 place. 



The following experiment is not without 

 value. I take some hard substance and 

 knock the foot of the table on which the in- 

 sect is lying on its back. The shock is very 

 slight, not enough to shake the table per- 



379 



