34 THE WONDERS OF INSTINCT 



Thus passes the late autumn: the Empusae, more and 

 more temperate from day to day, hang motionless from 

 the wire gauze. Their natural abstinence is my best ally, 

 for Flies grow scarce; and a time comes when I should 

 be hard put to it to keep the menageries supplied with pro- 

 visions. 



During the three winter months, nothing stirs. From 

 time to time, on fine days, I expose the cage to the sun's 

 rays, in the window. Under the influence of this heat- 

 bath, the captives stretch their legs a little, sway from 

 side to side, make up their minds to move about, but 

 without displaying any awakening appetite. The rare 

 Midges that fall to my assiduous efforts do not appear 

 to tempt them. It is a rule for them to spend the cold 

 season in a state of complete abstinence. 



My cages tell me what must happen outside, during 

 the winter. Ensconced in the crannies of the rockwork, 

 in the sunniest places, the young Empusse wait, in a state 

 of torpor, for the return of the hot weather. Notwith- 

 standing the shelter of a heap of stones, there must be 

 painful moments when the frost is prolonged and the 

 snow penetrates little by little into the best-protected 

 crevices. No matter : hardier than they look, the refugees 

 escape the dangers of the winter season. Sometimes, 

 when the sun is strong, they venture out of their hiding- 

 place and come to see if spring be nigh. 



Spring comes. We are in March. My prisoners be- 

 stir themselves, change their skin. They need victuals. 

 My catering difficulties recommence. The House-fly, so 

 easy to catch, is lacking in these days. I fall back upon 



