n scratches,
poisons or stabs. Among savages, jealous women bite off their rivals'
noses; in civilized countries they throw sulphuric acid in the face.
The object is the same in both cases--to disfigure.

Amorous illusions produced in woman by the sexual appetite are
analogous to those of man, but are modified by feminine attributes. It
is the same with hypocrisy. The passive role of woman in sexual life
obliges her only to betray her feelings to the object of her desires
in a reserved and prudent manner. She cannot make advances toward man
without contravening the conventions and risking her reputation. She
therefore has to be more skillful in the art of dissimulation. This
gives us no right to accuse her of falseness, for this art is natural,
instinctive and imposed by custom. Her desire for love and maternity
unconsciously urges her to make herself as desirable as possible to
man by her grace and allurements. Her stolen glances and sighs, and
the play of her expression serve to betray her ardor as through a
veil. Behind this furtive play, especially calculated to excite the
passions of man, are hidden, in the natural and good woman, a world of
delicate feelings, ideal aspirations, energy and perseverance, which
are much more loyal and honest than the motives revealed by the more
brusque and daring manner in which man expresses his desires. The fine
phrases by which man's love is expressed generally cover sentiments
which are much less pure and calculations much more egoistic than the
relatively innocent play of the young girl. No doubt there are false
women whose amorous wiles are only a spider's web, but we are speaking
here of the average, and not of exceptions.

=Coquetry.=--The sexual braggardism of man is only found in some
prostitutes; it is replaced in woman by coquetry and the desire to
please. Vain women profit by the natural grace and beauty of their sex
and person, not only to attract and please men, but also to shine
among their fellows, to make other women pale before their brilliance
and their elegance. Coquettes take infinite pains in this art. All
their efforts and all their thoughts are directed only to increase
their charm by the brilliancy of their toilette, the refinement of
their attire, the arrangement of their hair, their perfumes, paint and
powder, etc. It is here that the narrowness of the mind of woman is
revealed in all its meanness.

To describe feminine coquetry would oblige me to desc