ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRASSHOPPERS 



until now, its last helpless struggle before re- 

 ceiving its crowning glory two pairs of wings. 

 The newly freed soft front legs rapidly stiffened 

 as it clutched the board on which it hung for 

 support and presently, with what strength re- 

 mained, the animal drew out the long hind legs 

 and end of the abdomen. As soon as this was 

 completed, the weak, wet insect turned round 

 and crawled up the side of its lately cast-off 

 skin. Here it rested, unfolded and became 

 strong. First, the crooked legs straightened; 

 then the front wings unfolded and the hind 

 wings straightened out; in a few minutes more 

 both pairs of wings were all unfolded and hung 

 down limp and moist. As the warm sun dried 

 them the broad hind wings folded up like fans 

 beneath the narrow front ones, which served in 

 the same way as the end sticks of a lady's fan. 

 Thus they assumed their normal position. 

 During the above described struggle for a new 

 existence the insect has been gradually chang- 

 ing in color to fresh, bright browns and black 

 on the body, with added red and yellow on the 

 wings. All this wonderful change Ella watched 

 with much pleasure and interest. It took less 

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