She is so absorbed in her task that she may readily be watched, even through a magnifying glass.

The ovipositor, which is about four-tenths of an inch in length, is plunged obliquely and up to the hilt into the twig.

So perfect is the tool that the operation is by no means troublesome.

We see the Cigale tremble slightly, dilating and contracting the extremity of the abdomen in frequent palpitations.

This is all that can be seen.