244 THE COURTSHIP OF ANIMALS 



circles from side to side, she gazing towards him in a 

 softer mood, evidently admiring the grace of his antics. 

 This is repeated until we have counted one hundred 

 and eleven circles made by the ardent little male. 

 Now he approaches nearer and nearer, and when 

 almost within reach whirls madly around and around 

 her, she joining and whirling with him in a giddy 

 maze. Again he falls back and resumes his semi- 

 circular motio'^<=!, with his body tilted over ; she, all 

 excitement, lowers her head and raises her body so that it 

 is almost vertical ; both draw nearer ; she moves slowly 

 under him, he crawling over her head, and the mating is 

 accomplished. After they have paired once the pre- 

 liminary courtship is not so long. On one occasion a 

 female was the more eager of the two, but this is evidently 

 very exceptional. The female always watches the antics 

 of the male intently, but often refuses him in the end, 

 even after dancing before her for a long time." 



Of another species — Epiblemum scenicum — they write : 

 " The females seemed to have some difHculty in choosing 

 from among the males, but after a decision has been 

 reached and a male accepted, there appeared to be com- 

 plete agreement." A species of the genus Icius, which 

 seems to have baffled identification, was watched for hours 

 under natural conditions as well as in confinement. " A 

 dozen or more males, and about half as many females, 

 were assembled together within the length of one of the 

 rails. The males were rushing hither and thither, dancing 

 opposite now one female, now another ; often two males 

 met each other, when a short passage of arms followed. 

 They waved their first legs, sidled back and forth, and 

 then rushed together and clinched, but quickly separated, 

 neither being hurt, only to run off in search of fairer foes." 



