40 FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



keep a careful watch, for the events take place unexpectedly 

 and do not last long. 



For a moment the Glow-worm examines his prey, which, 

 according to its habit, is completely hidden in the shell, except 

 for the edge of the ' mantle,' which projects slightly. Then 

 the hunter draws his weapon. It is a very simple weapon, 

 but it cannot be seen without a magnify ing-glass. It consists 

 of two mandibles, bent back into a hook, very sharp and as 

 thin as a hair. Through the microscope one can see a slender 

 groove running down the hook. And that is all. 



The insect repeatedly taps the Snail's mantle with its 

 instrument. It all happens with such gentleness as to suggest 

 kisses rather than bites. As children, teasing one another, 

 we used to talk of ' tweaks ' to express a slight squeeze of 

 the finger-tips, something more like tickling than a serious 

 pinch. Let us use that word. In conversation with animals, 

 language loses nothing by remaining simple. The Glow- 

 worm gives tweaks to the Snail. 



He doles them out methodically, without hurrying, and 

 takes a brief rest after each of them, as though to find out 

 what effect has been produced. The number of tweaks is 

 not great : half a dozen at most, which are enough to make 

 the Snail motionless, and to rob him of all feeling. That other 

 pinches are administered later, at the time of eating, seems 

 very likely, but I cannot say anything for certain on that 

 subject. The first few, however there are never many 

 are enough to prevent the Snail from feeling anything, thanks 

 to the promptitude of the Glow-worm, who, at lightning 

 speed, darts some kind of poison into his victim by means 

 of his grooved hooks. 



There is no doubt at all that the Snail is made insensible 

 to pain. If, when the Glow-worm has dealt some four or 

 five of his twitches, I take away the victim and prick it with 

 a fine needle, there is not a quiver in the wounded flesh, 

 there is not the smallest sign of life. Moreover, I occasionally 

 chance to see Snails attacked by the Lampyris while they 



