256 THE LIFE AND LOVE OF THE INSECT 



sides ; the legs come out of their gaiters, the claws leave 

 their gauntlets, the tail quits its scabbard. The cast skin 

 falls in rags on every side at a time. It is a flaying with- 

 out order and in tatters. When it is done, the flayed 

 insects present the normal appearance of Scorpions. 

 They have also acquired agility. Although still pale in 

 tint, they are nimble, quick to set foot to earth in order 

 to run and play near the mother. The most striking part 

 of this progress is the brisk growth. The young of the 

 Languedocian Scorpion measured nine millimetres in 

 length ; they now measure fourteen. 1 Those of the Black 

 Scorpion have grown from four to six or seven millimetres. 2 

 The length increases by one half, which nearly trebles the 

 volume. 



Surprised at this sudden growth, one asks one's self 

 what the cause can be ; for the little ones have taken no 

 food. The weight has not increased : on the contrary, it 

 has diminished ; for we must remember that the skin has 

 been cast. The volume grows, but not the bulk. It is 

 therefore a distension up to a certain point and may be 

 compared with that of inorganic bodies under the influ- 

 ence of heat. A secret change takes place, which groups 

 the living molecules into a more spacious combination ; 

 and the volume increases without the addition of fresh 

 materials. One who, possessed of a fine patience and 

 suitably equipped, cared to follow the rapid changes 

 of this architecture would, I think, reap a harvest of 

 some value. I, in my penury, abandon the problem to 

 others. 



The remains of the excoriation are white strips, silky 

 rags, which, so far from falling to the ground, attach thern- 



1 '35 increased to '55 inch. Translator' 1 s Note. 



3 -15 increased to -235 or -275 inch. Translator's Note. 



