The Life of the Grasshopper 



the insect keeps itself cool under that shelter, 

 hides itself from the eyes of its persecutors 

 and is protected against the rays of the sun 

 and the attacks of parasites. 



The Lily-beetle makes a similar use of 

 the mantle of her own dirt; but she, most 

 unhappily for herself, flings off her nasty 

 cloak and descends naked from the plant to 

 the ground, where she has to bury herself 

 to slaver her cocoon. At this critical mo- 

 ment, the Flies lie in wait for her and en- 

 trust her with their eggs, the germs of para- 

 sites which will eat into her body. 



The Cicadella is better-advised and alto- 

 gether escapes the dangers attendant on a re- 

 moval. Subject to certain summary changes 

 which never interrupt her activity, she as- 

 sumes the adult form in the very heart of 

 her bastion, under the shelter of a viscous 

 rampart capable of repelling any assailant. 

 Here she enjoys perfect security when the 

 difficult hour has come for tearing off her old 

 skin and putting on another, brand-new and 

 more decorative; here she finds profound 

 peace for her excoriation and for the dis- 

 play of the attire of a riper age. 



The insect does not leave its cool cover- 

 ing until it is grown up, when it appears in 

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