TWO STRANGE GRASSHOPPERS 



the big black specks that are going to be its eyes, and its 

 inexpressive, rather swollen mask, it suggests a diver's 

 helmet. The neck opens wide at the back, and, with a 

 slow throbbing, by turns swells and sinks. It is by 

 means of this throbbing protrusion through the opening at 

 the back of the head that the new-born insect moves. 

 When the lump is flat, the head pushes back the damp 

 sand a little way and slips into it by digging a tiny pit. 

 Then the swelling is blown out and becomes a knob 

 which sticks firmly in the hole. This supplies the re- 

 sistance necessary for the grub to draw up its back and 

 push. Thus a step forward is made. Each thrust of 

 the motor-blister helps the little Decticus upon the up- 

 ward path. 



It is pitiful to see this tender creature, still almost 

 colourless, knocking with its swollen neck and ramming 

 the rough soil. With flesh that is not yet hardened it 

 is painfully fighting stone; and fighting it so success- 

 fully that in the space of a morning it makes a gallery, 

 either straight or winding, an inch long and as wide as 

 an average straw. In this way the harassed insect 

 reaches the surface. 



Before it is altogether freed from the soil the struggler 

 halts for a moment, to recover from the effects of the 

 journey. Then, with renewed strength, it makes a last 

 effort: it swells the protrusion at the back of its head as 



[1351 



