The Life of the Grasshopper 



branch on which the metamorphosis will be 

 performed; and here sight will manifestly be 

 useful. This maturity of vision attained 

 during the preparation for the release is 

 enough to show us that the larva, far from 

 hastily improvising its ascending-shaft, 

 works at it for a long time. 



Moreover, the pale and blind larva is 

 bulkier than it is in the state of maturity. It 

 is swollen with liquid and looks dropsical. 

 If you take it in your fingers, a limpid 

 humour oozes from the hinder part and 

 moistens the whole body. Is this fluid, ex- 

 pelled from the intestines, a urinary product? 

 Is it just the residue of a stomach fed solely 

 on sap? I will not decide the question and 

 will content myself with calling it urine, 

 merely for convenience. 



Well, this fountain of urine is the key to 

 the mystery. The larva, as it goes on and 

 digs, sprinkles the dusty materials and makes 

 them into paste, which is forthwith applied 

 to the walls by abdominal pressure. The 

 original dryness is succeeded by plasticitv. 

 The mud obtained penetrates the interstices 

 of a rough soil; the more liquid part of it 

 trickles in front; the remainder is com- 

 pressed and packed and occupies the empty 



36 



