72 Lije and Love. 



In some insects only the male is winged; the 

 female quiescent, attractive, waits to be approached. 



As a rule the female among insects is larger than 

 the male, and in some low forms of insect life the 

 male is reduced to a tiny parasite upon the large 

 and well-nourished female. 



Brief as are the adult lives of the insects, it may 

 be, that measured by their intensity rather than by 

 their duration, they sum up as much that makes 

 for life as the more extended and less intensely 

 vital lives of other creatures. In their brief exist- 

 ence they find time for the more aesthetic pleas- 

 ures, and the joys of courtship are one of their 

 possessions. 



It would seem, according to Darwin, that their 

 love of color influences their selection of a mate, 

 the female in some species yielding to the charms 

 of a brilliant suitor, and scorning the advances of a 

 dull one. 



Thus, through her individual taste, does she in 

 her selection of a mate gi\-c a brilliant inheritance 

 to her descendants, and people the earth with those 

 animated emeralds and rubies and bits of flame 

 with which every one is familiar. 



Any one interested in the lower life and its won- 

 derful manifestations can by watching the grass- 

 hoppers on a summer day witness many amusing 

 love-scenes. My lady understands her importance 

 in the economy of nature, apparently, and also 

 enjoys the suspense of her lovers. 



