— Discovery  of  their  copulative  method. — Brutality  of
the  female. — Habits  of  the  epeire. — The  argyronete. —
The  tarantula. — Exceptions:    the   reapers. — Dragonflies
(libellule) .— Dragonflies  (demoiselle)  virgins  and  "jou-
vencelle." — Picture  of  their  love  affairs.
XIV.  THE  MECHANISM  OF  LOVE 120

6.  Cannibalism  in  sex. — Females  who  devour  the  male,
those  who  devour  the  spermatophore. — Probable  use  of
these    practices. — Fecundation    by    the    whole    male. —
Loves    of    the    white    foreheaded    dectic. — The    green
grasshopper. — The  Alpine  analote. — The  ephippigere. —
Further  reflections  on  the  cannibalism  of  sex. — Loves  of
the  praying  mantis.
XV.   THE  SEXUAL  PARADE 137

Universality  of  the  caress,  of  amorous  preludes. — Their
role  in  fecundation. — Sexual  games  of  birds. — How
cantharides  caress. — Males'  combats. — Pretended  com-
bats of  birds. — Dance  of  the  tetras. — Gardener  bird. —
His  country  house. — His  taste  for  flowers. — Reflections

vii


V


on  the  origin  of  his  art. — Combats  of  crickets. — Parade
of  butterflies. — Sexual  sense  of  orientation.— The  great-
peacock  moth. — Animals'  submission  to  orders  of  Na-
ture.— Transmutation  of  physical  values. — Rutting
calendar.
