The Life of the Grasshopper 



handed down by predecessors, become in- 

 fused into our veins and sustain our weak- 

 ness. We live by their death. 



To conclude. The Mantis, prolific to ex- 

 cess, in her turn makes organic matter, 

 bequeathing it to the Ant, who bequeaths it 

 to the Wryneck, who bequeaths it perhaps to 

 man. She procreates a thousand, partly to 

 perpetuate her species, but far more than she 

 may contribute, according to her means, to 

 the general picnic of the living. She brings 

 us back to the ancient symbol of the Serpent 

 biting its own tail. The world is an endless 

 circle : everything finishes so that everything 

 may begin again; everything dies so that 

 everything may live. 



190 



