The Life of the Grasshopper 



ing the inversion uncomfortable, it makes 

 an effort and restores the instrument to its 

 regular position. In vain I repeat the opera- 

 tion : the Cricket's obstinacy triumphs over 

 mine. The displaced wing-cases always re- 

 sume their normal arrangement. There is 

 nothing to be done in this direction. 



Shall I be more successful if I make my 

 attempt while the wing-cases are still im- 

 mature? At the actual moment, they are 

 stiff membranes, resisting any changes. The 

 fold is already there; it is at the outset that 

 the material should be manipulated. What 

 shall we learn from organs that are quite 

 new and still plastic, if we invert them as 

 soon as they appear? The thing is worth 

 trying. 



For this purpose, I go to the larva and 

 watch for the moment of its metamorphosis, 

 a sort of second birth. The future wings 

 and wing-cases form four tiny flaps which, 

 by their shape and their scantiness, as well 

 as by the way in which they stick out in dif- 

 ferent directions, remind me of the short 

 jackets worn by the Auvergne cheese-makers. 

 I am most assiduous in my attendance, lest 

 I should miss the propitious moment, and 

 at last have a chance to witness the moult- 



332 



