The Glow-Worm 



support quite closely, some point, however 

 tiny, be left uncovered, this is enough for 

 the subtle tools of the Lampyris, who just 

 nibbles at the mollusc and at once plunges 

 him into that profound immobility which 

 favours the tranquil proceedings of the con- 

 sumer. 



These proceedings are marked by extreme 

 prudence. The assailant has to handle his 

 victim gingerly, without provoking contract- 

 ions which would make the Snail let go his 

 support and, at the very least, precipitate 

 him from the tall stalk whereon he is bliss- 

 fully slumbering. Now any game falling to 

 the ground would seem to be so much sheer 

 loss, for the Glow-worm has no great zeal 

 for hunting-expeditions : he profits by the dis- 

 coveries which good luck sends him, without 

 undertaking assiduous searches. It is es- 

 sential, therefore, that the equilibrium of a 

 prize perched on the top of a stalk and only 

 just held in position by a touch of glue should 

 be disturbed as little as possible during the 

 onslaught; it is necessary that the assailant 

 should go to work with infinite circumspect- 

 ion and without producing pain, lest any 

 muscular reaction should provoke a fall and 

 endanger the prize. As we see, sudden and 



profound anaesthesia is an excellent means of 

 ii 



