They pull out of their gauntlets and leggings without the least hitch; nothing is torn, nothing buckled; the outer skin is not even crumpled, and all the tissues remain in their natural position.

The insect is now hanging from the dome of the cover solely by the claws of the long hind-legs.

It hangs in an almost vertical position, the head downwards, swinging like a pendulum if I touch the cover.

Four tiny, steely claws are its only support.

If they gave or unclasped themselves the insect would be lost, as it is as yet unable to unfurl its enormous wings; but even had the wings emerged they could not grip the air in time to save the creature from the consequences of a fall.