The Life of the Grasshopper 



corselet slantwise and, flinging out her fore- 

 limb, harpoons the Fly and grips her be- 

 tween her two saws. No Cat pouncing upon 

 a Mouse could be quicker. 



The game, however small, is enough for a 

 meal. It is enough for the whole day, often 

 for several days. This is my first surprise : 

 the extreme abstemiousness of these savagely- 

 armed insects. I was prepared for ogres : 

 I find ascetics satisfied with a meagre colla- 

 tion at rare intervals. A Fly fills their belly 

 for twenty-four hours at least. 



Thus passes the late autumn: the Em- 

 pusae, 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 provisions. 



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 

 196 



