The Life of the Grasshopper 



with the common lodging. There is room 

 and to spare for the evolutions of my cap- 

 tives, who naturally do not want to move 

 about much with their unwieldy bellies. 

 Hanging to the trelliswork of the dome, 

 motionless they digest their food or else 

 await an unwary passer-by. Even so do they 

 act when at liberty in the thickets. 



Cohabitation has its dangers. I know 

 that even Donkeys, those peace-loving ani- 

 mals, quarrel when hay is scarce in the 

 manger. My boarders, who are less com- 

 plaisant, might well, in a moment of dearth, 

 become sour-tempered and fight among them- 

 selves. I guard against this by keeping the 

 cages well supplied with Locusts, renewed 

 twice a day. Should civil war break out, 

 famine cannot be pleaded as the excuse. 



At first, things go pretty well. The com- 

 munity lives in peace, each Mantis grabbing 

 and eating whatever comes near her, with- 

 out seeking strife with her neighbours. But 

 this harmonious period does not last long. 

 The bellies swell, the eggs are ripening in 

 the ovaries, marriage and laying-time are at 

 hand. Then a sort of jealous fury bursts 

 out, though there is an entire absence of 

 males who might be held responsible for 



138 



