The same backward movement being continued, the spine, by the full action of the muscles, was bent like a spring; and the insect at this moment rested on the extremity of its head and
wing-cases. The effort being suddenly relaxed, the head and thorax flew up, and in consequence, the base of the
wing-cases struck the supporting surface with such force, that the insect by the reaction was jerked upwards to the height of one or two inches.
Parts of the apparatus were spinning very rapidly, and gave one a hazy effect of transparent wings; but parts, including two peculiarly curved "
wing-cases"--if one may borrow a figure from the flying beetles--remained expanded stiffly.