The Massacre of the Males 



ing on themselves, they will drag the 

 whole group round and round in wild 

 circles, which exhaustion soon brings to 

 an end. And, in a very brief space, their 

 appearance becomes so deplorable that 

 pity, never far from justice in the depths 

 of our heart, quickly returns, and would 

 seek forgiveness, though vainly, of the 

 stern workers who recognise only nature's 

 harsh and profound laws. The wings of 

 the wretched creatures are torn, their 

 antennae bitten, the segments of their legs 

 wrenched off; and their magnificent eyes, 

 mirrors once of the exuberant flowers, 

 flashing back the blue light and the inno- 

 cent pride of summer, now, softened by 

 suffering, reflect only the anguish and 

 distress of their end. Some succumb to 

 their wounds, and are at once borne away 

 to distant cemeteries by two or three of 

 their executioners. Others, whose injuries 

 are less, succeed in sheltering themselves 

 ^3 353 



