The Life of the Grasshopper 



his powerful spouse, who, with her sabre 

 exposed, standing high on her hind-legs, over- 

 whelms him with her embrace. No, indeed : 

 in this posture the poor Decticus has nothing 

 of the victor about him! The other, 

 brutally, without respecting the musical-box, 

 is forcing open his wing-cases and nibbling 

 his flesh just where the belly begins. 



Which of the two takes the initiative 

 here? Have not the parts been reversed? 

 She who is usually provoked is now the pro- 

 voker, employing rude caresses capable of 

 carrying off the morsel touched. She has not 

 yielded to him; she has thrust herself upon 

 him, disturbingly, imperiously. He, lying flat 

 on the ground, quivers and starts, seems try- 

 ing to resist. What outrageous thing is 

 about to happen? I shall not know to-day. 

 The floored male releases himself and runs 

 away. 



But this time, at last, we have it. Master 

 Decticus is on the ground, tumbled over on 

 his back. Hoisted to the full height of her 

 shanks, the other, holding her sabre almost 

 perpendicular, covers her prostrate mate 

 from a distance. The two ventral extremities 

 curve into a hook, seek each other, meet; and 

 soon from the male's convulsive loins there 



