The Poplar-Weevil 
for hours on end, the obstinate straining of 
the legs, which tremble with exhaustion and 
threaten to jeopardize everything should one 
of them let go at the wrong moment, or 
without seeing how prudently the leaf-roller 
refrains from releasing one claw until the 
five others are firmly anchored. On the one 
hand are three points of support, on the 
other three points of traction; and the six 
points are shifted, one by one, little by little, 
without for an instant allowing their mechan- 
ical system to become relaxed. A single 
moment of forgetfulness or weariness would 
cause the refractory leaf to unroll its 
cylinder and escape from the manipulator’s 
grasp. 
The work is performed moreover in an 
uncomfortable position. The leaf hangs, 
almost or even quite vertically. Its surface 
is varnished and as smooth as glass. But the 
worker is shod accordingly. With her 
tufted soles, she scales polished and per- 
pendicular surfaces; with her twelve meat- 
hooks, she grapples the slippery floor. 
Yet this fine equipment does not rid the 
operation of all its difficulties. I find it no 
easy matter to follow the progress through 
147 
