Bramble-bees and Others 



abdomen: In the middle and on either side. 

 On the first day, the Insect seems to have felt 

 nothing; I see no sign of stiffness in its move- 

 ments. No doubt It Is suffering acutely; but 

 these stoics keep their troubles to themselves. 

 Next day, the Ephippiger drags her legs a 

 little and walks somewhat slowly. Two days 

 more; and, when laid on her back, she is un- 

 able to turn over. On the fifth day, she suc- 

 cumbs. This time, I have exceeded the dose; 

 the shock of receiving three stabs was too 

 much for her. 



And so with the others, down to the sensi- 

 tive Cricket, who, pricked once in the abdo- 

 men, recovers in one day from the painful 

 experience and goes back to her lettuce-leaf. 

 But, if the wound is repeated a few times, 

 death ensues within a more or less short pe- 

 riod. I make an exception, among those who 

 pay tribute to my cruel curiosity, of the Rose- 

 chafer-grubs, who defy three and four needle- 

 thrusts. They will collapse suddenly and lie 

 outstretched, flabby and lifeless; and, just 

 when I am thinking them dead or paralysed, 

 the hardy creatures will recover consciousness, 

 move along on their backs, ^ bury themselves 



^This is the usual mode of progression of the Cetonia- 



350 



