The Locusts: their Eggs 



mains for us to learn how the building — an 

 egg-warehouse below, a foamy turret above 

 — is constructed. 



Direct observation is impracticable here. 

 If we took it into our heads to dig and to 

 uncover the abdomen at work, the mother, 

 worried by our importunity, would leap away 

 without telling us anything. Fortunately, 

 one Locust,- the strangest of my district, re- 

 veals the secret to us. I speak of the 

 Tryxalis, the largest member of the family, 

 after the Grey Locust. 



Though inferior to the last-named in size, 

 how far she exceeds her in slenderness of 

 figure and, above all, in originality of shape ! 

 On our sun-scorched swards, none has a 

 leaping-apparatus to compare with hers. 

 What hind-legs, what extravagant thighs, 

 what shanks ! They are longer than the 

 creature's whole body. 



The result obtained hardly corresponds 

 with this extraordinary length of limb. The 

 insect shuffles awkwardly along the edges of 

 the vines, on the sand sparsely covered with 

 grass; it seems embarrassed by its shanks, 

 which are slow to work. With this equip- 

 ment, weakened by its excessive length, the 

 leap is awkward, describing but a short 



39i 



