I was prepared for ogres: I find ascetics satisfied with a meagre collation at rare intervals.

A Fly fills their belly for twenty-four hours at least.
Thus passes the late autumn: the Empusae, more and more temperate from day to day, hang motionless from the wire gauze.

Their natural abstinence is my best ally, for Flies grow scarce; and a time comes when I should be hard put to it to keep the menageries supplied with provisions.
During the three winter months, nothing stirs.

From time to time, on fine days, I expose the cage to the sun's rays, in the window.

Under the influence of this heat-bath, the captives stretch their legs a little, sway from side to side, make up their minds to move about, but without displaying any awakening appetite.