The Life of the Grasshopper 



grip a stalk with their mandibles and sleep 

 with their bodies outstretched and their legs 

 folded back. Some, the stouter species, 

 allow themselves to rest the tip of their 

 arched abdomen against the pole. 



This visit to the dormitory of certain 

 Wasps and Bees does not explain the problem 

 of the Empusa; it sets up another one, no 

 less difficult. It shows us how deficient we 

 are in insight, when it comes to differentiating 

 between fatigue and rest in the cogs of the 

 animal machine. The Ammophila, with the 

 static paradox afforded by her mandibles; 

 the Empusa, with her claws unwearied by 

 ten months' hanging, leave the physiologist 

 perplexed and make him wonder what really 

 constitutes rest. In absolute fact, there is 

 no rest, apart from that which puts an end 

 to life. The struggle never ceases; some 

 muscle is always toiling, some nerve strain- 

 ing. Sleep, which resembles a return to the 

 peace of non-existence, is, like waking, an 

 effort, here of the leg, of the curled tail; 

 there of the claw, of the jaws. 



The transformation is effected about the 

 middle of May and the adult Empusa makes 

 her appearance. She is even more remark- 

 able in figure and attire than the Praying 

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