The Cionus 



of following the Cionus' doings, in comfort, 

 at any hour of the day. 



My colonies flourish. The strangers, sat- 

 isfied with their new camping-ground, settle 

 down on the twigs on which I have placed 

 them. They browse and gently tease one 

 another with their legs: many of them pair 

 off and gaily spend their lives revelling in the 

 sunshine. Those coupled together, one on 

 top of the other, are subject to sudden lurches 

 from side to side, as though impelled by the 

 release of a vibrating spring. Pauses follow, 

 of varying length; then the lurches are re- 

 peated, cease and begin again. 



Which of the two supplies the motive force 

 of this little piece of machinery? It seems 

 to me that it is the female, who is rather 

 larger than the male. The jerking would 

 then be a protest on her part, an attempt to 

 free herself from the embraces of her com- 

 panion, who holds on despite all this shaking. 

 Or again, it may be a common manifestation, 

 the pair joyfully exulting in a nuptial rolling 

 from side to side. 



Those who are not coupled plunge their 

 rostrum Into the budding flowers and feast 

 3" 



