The Poplar-Weevil 



for hours on end, the obstinate straining of 

 the legs, which tremble with exhaustion and 

 threaten to jeopardize everything should one 

 of them let go at the wrong moment, or 

 without seeing how prudently the leaf-roller 

 refrains from releasing one claw until the 

 five others are firmly anchored. On the one 

 hand are three points of support, on the 

 other three points of traction; and the six 

 points are shifted, one by one, little by little, 

 without for an instant allowing their mechan- 

 ical system to become relaxed. A single 

 moment of forgetfulness or weariness would 

 cause the refractory leaf to unroll its 

 cylinder and escape from the manipulator's 

 grasp. 



The work Is performed moreover In an 

 uncomfortable position. The leaf hangs, 

 almost or even quite vertically. Its surface 

 is varnished and as smooth as glass. But the 

 worker is shod accordingly. With her 

 tufted soles, she scales polished and per- 

 pendicular surfaces; with her twelve meat- 

 hooks, she grapples the sHppery floor. 



Yet this fine equipment does not rid the 

 operation of all its difficulties. I find it no 

 easy matter to follow the progress through 

 147 



