第2章

ItwasbecausehewastheonlyuniversityteacherinAvignontooccupyhimselfwithentomologythatPasteurvisitedhimin1865。Theillustriouschemisthadbeenstrivingtochecktheplaguethatwasdevastatingthesilkwormnurseries，andasheknewnothingofthesubjectwhichheproposedtostudy，notevenunderstandingtheconstitutionofthecocoonortheevolutionofthesilkworm，hesoughtoutFabreinordertoobtainfromhisstoreofentomologicalwisdomtheelementaryideaswhichhewouldfindindispensable。Fabrehastoldus，inamovingpage(4/20)，withwhatatotallackofcomprehensionof“povertyinablackcoat“thegreatscientistgazedathispoorhome。Preoccupiedbyanotherproblem，thatoftheameliorationofwinesbymeansofheat，Pasteuraskedhimpoint-blank——

him，thehumbleproletarianoftheuniversitycaste，whodrankonlythecheapestwineofthecountry——toshowhimhiscellar。“Mycellar！Whynotmyvaults，mydustybottles，labelledaccordingtoageandvintage！ButPasteurinsisted。Then，pointingwithmyfinger，Ishowedhim，inacornerofthekitchen，achairwithallthestrawgone，andonthischairatwo-

gallondemijohn：’Thereismycave，monsieur！’“

Ifthecountryprofessorwasembarrassedbythechillinessoftheother，hewasnonethelessshockedbyhisattitude。Itwouldseem，fromwhatFabrehassaid，thatPasteurtreatedhimwithahauteurwhichwasslightlydisdainful。Theignorantgeniusquestionedhishumblecolleague，distantlygivinghimhisorders，explaininghisplansandhisideas，andinforminghiminwhatdirectionsherequiredassistance。

Afterthis，wecannotbesurprisedifthenaturalistwassilent。Howcouldsympatheticrelationshavesurvivedthisfirstmeeting？Fabrecouldnotforgiveit。HisowncharacterwastooindependenttoaccommodateitselftoPasteur’s。Yetnever，perhaps，weretwomenmadeforabetterunderstanding。Theywereequallyexpertinexercisingtheiradmirablepowersofvisioninthevastfieldofnature，equallycriticalofself，equallycarefulnevertodepartfromthestrictlimitsofthefacts；andtheywere，onemaysay，equallyeminentinthedomainofinvention，differentthoughtheirfortunesmayhavebeen；forthesublimityofscientificdiscoveries，howeverfullofgeniustheymaybe，isoftenmeasuredonlybytheimmediateconsequencesdrawntherefromandthepracticalimportanceoftheirresults。

Inreality，weretheynottworivals，worthyofbeingplacedsidebysideintheparadiseofsages？Bothofthem，theonebydemolishingthetheoryofspontaneousgeneration，theotherbyrefutingthemechanicaltheoryoftheoriginofinstincts，havebroughtintodueprominencethegreatunknownandmysteriousforceswhichseemdestinedtoholdeternallyinsuspensetheprofoundenigmaoflife。

NowhewasanxiousnottoleavetheVauclusedistrict，thesceneofhisfirstsuccess，andaplacesofruitfulinsubjectsofstudy。Hewishedtoremainclosetohisinsects，andalsonearthepreciouslibraryandtherichcollectionswhichRequienhadleftbywilltothetownofAvignon。Inspiteofthemeagrenessofhissalary，heaskedfornothingmore；and，whatismore，byaninconsequencewhichisbynomeansincomprehensible，heavoidedeverythingthatmighthaveresultedinamoreprofitablepositionelsewhere，andevadedallproposalsoffurtherpromotion。Twice，atPoitiersandMarseilles，herefusedapostasassistantprofessor，notregardingtheadvantagessufficienttobalancetheexpensesofremoval。

(4/21。)

Itistruethathismodestpositionwasslightlyimproved；atthelycéehehadjustbeenappointeddrawing-master，thankstohisknowledgeofdesign，forhecoulddraw——indeed，whatcouldhenotdo？Thecity，ontheotherhand，appointedhimconservatoroftheRequienMuseum，andpresentlymunicipallecturer，sothathisearningswereincreasedby48poundssterlingperannum，andhewasatlastabletoabandon“thoseabominableprivatelessons“(4/22。)，whichtheinsufficiencyofhisincomehadhithertoforcedhimtoaccept。Thesenewduties，whichnaturallydemandedmuchtimeandmuchlabour，kepthimalmostasbadlytiedashehadbeenbefore。

Toberichenoughtosethimselffree；tobemasterofallhistime，tobeabletodevotehimselfentirelytohischosenwork：thiswashisdream，hisconstantpreoccupation：ithauntedhim；itwasafixedidea。

Suchwastheprincipalmotiveofhisinquiryintothepropertiesofmadder，thecolouringprincipleofwhichhesucceededinextractingdirectly，byaperfectlysimplemethod，whichforatimeveryadvantageouslyreplacedtheextremelyprimitivemethodsoftheolddyers，whousedasimpleextractofmadder；acrudepreparationwhichnecessitatedlongandexpensivemanipulations。(4/23。)

HehadbeenworkingatthisforeightyearswhenVictorDuruy，MinisterofPublicInstructionandGrandMasteroftheUniversity，cametosurprisehiminhislaboratoryatSaint-Martial，inthefullfeverofresearch。WhateverwasDuruy’sideainenteringintorelationswithhim，itseemsthatfromtheirfirstmeetingthetwomenwerereallytakenwithoneanother：therewere，betweenthem，somanycloseaffinitiesoftasteandcharacter。DuruyfoundinFabreamanofhisowntemper；forhis，likeFabre’s，wasamodestandsimplenature。Bothcameofthepeople，andtheprincipalmotiveofeachwasthesameidealofwork，emancipation，andprogress。

AlittlelaterDuruysummonedthemodestsageofAvignontoParis，withparticularinsistence；hewasfullofattentionsandofforethought，andmadehimthereandthenachevalieroftheLegionofHonour；adistinctionofwhichFabrewasfarfrombeingproud，andwhichhewascarefulnevertoobtrude；butheneverthelessalwaysthoughtofitwithacertaintenderness，asabeloved“relic“inmemoryofthisillustriousfriend。

OnthefollowingdaythenaturalistwasconveyedtotheTuileriestobepresentedtotheEmperor。Youmustnotsupposethathewasintheleastdisturbedattheideaoffindinghimselffacetofacewithroyalty。Inthepresenceofallthesebedizenedfolk，inhiscoatofacutwhichwasdoubtlessalreadysuperannuated，hecaredlittlefortheimpressionhemightproduce。Asgoodanobserverofmenasofbeasts，hegazedquietlyabouthim；heexchangedafewwordswiththeEmperor，whowas“quitesimple。”almostsuppressed，hiseyesalwayshalf-closed；hewatchedthecomingandgoingof“thechamberlainswithshortbreechesandsilver-

buckledshoes，greatscarabaei，cladwithcaféaulaitwing-cases，movingwithaformalgait。”Alreadyhesighedregretfully；hewasbored；hewasontherack，andfornothingintheworldwouldhehaverepeatedtheexperience。HedidnotevenfeeltheleastdesiretovisitthevauntedcollectionsoftheMuseum。Helongedtoreturn；tofindhimselfoncemoreamonghisdearinsects；toseehisgreyolive-trees，fullofthefrolicsomecicadae，hiswastesandcommons，whichsmeltsosweetofthymeandcypress；

aboveall，toreturntohisfurnaceandretorts，inordertocompletehisdiscoveryasquicklyaspossible。

Butothersprofitedbyhishappyconceptions。Likethecicada，theCigaleofhisfable(See“SocialLifeintheInsectWorld。”byJean-HenriFabre(T。FisherUnwin，1912)。)，whichmakesa“honeyedreek“flowfrom——

“thebarkTenderandjuicy，ofthebough。”

onwhichitisquicklysupplantedby“Fly，drone，wasp，beetletoowithhornèdhead“(4/24。)，who“Nowlicktheirhoney’dlips，andfeedatleisure。”

so，afterhehadpainfullylabouredfortwelveyearsinhiswell，hesawothers，morecunningthanhe，cometohisperch，whobydintof“stampingonhistoe。”succeededinoustinghim。Pendingtheappearanceofartificialalizarine，whichwaspresentlytoturnthewholemadderindustryupsidedown，thesemoresophisticatedpersonswereabletobenefitatleisurebytheingeniousprocessesdiscoveredbyFabre，sothatthepracticalresultofsomuchassiduity，somuchpatientresearch，wasabsolutelynil，andhefoundhimselfaspoorasever。

Sofadedhisdream：and，ifweexcepthisdomesticgriefs，thiswascertainlythedeepestandcruellestdisappointmenthehadeverexperienced。

Thenceforthhesawhissalvationonlyinthewritingoftextbooks，whichwereatlasttothrowopenthedooroffreedom。Alreadyhehadsettowork，underthepowerfulstimulusofDuruy，preoccupiedashealwayswasbyhisincessantdesireforfreedom。Thefirstrudimentsofhis“AgriculturalChemistry。”whichsoundedsofreshanoteinthematterofteaching，hadgivenaninstanceandameasureofhiscapabilities。

Buthedidnotseriouslydevotehimselftothisprojectuntilaftertheindustrialfailureandthedistressingmiscarriageofhismadderprocess；

andnotuntilhehadbeenpreviouslyassuredoftheco-operationofCharlesDelagrave，ayoungpublisher，whosefortunateinterventioncontributedinnosmalldegreetohisdeliverance。Confidentinhisvastpowersofwork，anddivininghisincomparabletalentasPOPULARIZER，DelagravefeltthathecouldpromiseFabrethathewouldneverleavehimwithoutwork；andthispromisewasallthemorecomforting，inthattheUniversity，despitehistwenty-eightyearsofassiduousservice，wouldnotaccordhimthesmallestpension。

VictorDuruywasthegreatrestorerofeducationinFrance，fromelementaryandprimaryeducation，whichshoulddate，fromhisgreatministry，theeraofitsdeliverance，tothesecondaryeducationwhichhehimselfcreatedineverypart。HewasalsotherealinitiatorofsecularinstructioninFrance，andtheThirdRepublichasdonelittlebutresumehiswork，develophisideas，andextendhisprogramme。Finally，byinstitutingclassesforadults，theeveningclasseswhichenabledworkmen，peasants，bourgeois，andyoungwomentofillthegapsintheireducation，hegaverealitytothegenerousandfruitfulideathatitispossibleforalltodividelifeintotwoparts，onehavingforitsobjectourmaterialneedsandourdailybread，andtheotherconsecratedtothespirituallifeandthedelightsoftheIdeal。

AtthesametimeheemancipatedtheyoungwomenofFrance，formerlyundertheexclusivetutelageoftheclergy，andopenedtothemforthefirsttimethegoldengatesofknowledge；anaudaciousinnovation，andformidablewithal，foritshrewdlytouchedtheinterestsoftheChurch，struckablowatherever-increasinginfluence，andclashedwithherconsecratedprivilegesandage-longprejudices。(4/25。)

AtAvignonFabrewasinstructedtogivehispersonalservices。Hegavethemwithallhisheart；anditwasthenthatheundertook，intheancientAbbeyofSaint-Martial，thosefamousfreelectureswhichhaveremainedcelebratedinthememoryofthatgeneration。There，undertheancientGothicvault，amongthepupilsoftheprimaryNormalCollege，aneagercrowdoflistenerspressedtohearhim；andamongthemostassiduouswasRoumanille，thefriendofMistral，hewhosoexquisitelywoveintohisharmonies“thelaughterofyoungmaidensandtheflowersofspringtime。”NooneexpoundedafactbetterthanFabre；nooneexplaineditsofullyandsoclearly。Noonecouldteachashedid，inafashionsosimple，soanimated，sopicturesque，andbymethodssooriginal。

Hewasindeedconvincedthateveninearlychildhooditwaspossibleforbothboysandgirlstolearnandtolovemanysubjectswhichhadhithertoneverbeenproposed；andinparticularthatNaturalHistorywhichtohimwasabookinwhichalltheworldmightread，butthatuniversitymethodshadreducedittoatediousanduselessstudyinwhichtheletter“killedthelife。”

Heknewthesecretofcommunicatinghisconviction，hisprofoundfaith，tohishearers：thatsacredfirewhichanimatedhim，thatpassionforallthecreaturesofnature。

Theselecturestookplaceintheevening，twiceaweek，alternatelywiththemunicipallectures，towhichFabrebroughtnolessapplicationandardour。Intheintentionofthosewhoinstitutedthemtheselatterwereabovealltobepracticalandscientific，dealingwithscienceappliedtoagriculture，thearts，andindustry。

Butmighthenotalsoexpectauditorsofanotherquality，inloveonlywiththeideal，“who，withouttroublingaboutthepossibleapplicationsofscientifictheory，desiredabovealltobeinitiatedintotheactionoftheforceswhichrulenature，andtherebytoopentotheirmindsmorewondroushorizons“？

Suchwerethenoblescrupleswhichtroubledhisconscience，andwhichappearedintheletterwhichheaddressedtotheadministrationofthecity，whenhewasentrustedbythelatterwithwhatheregardedasaloftyandmostimportantmission。

“……Isittobeunderstoodthateverypurelyscientificaspect，incapableofimmediateapplication，istoberigorouslybanishedfromtheselessons？

Isittobeunderstoodthat，confinedtoanimpassablecircle，thevalueofeverytruthmustbereckonedatsomuchperhundred，andthatImustsilentlypassoverallthataimsonlyatsatisfyingalaudabledesireofknowledge？No，gentlemen，forthentheselectureswouldlackaveryessentialthing：thespiritwhichgiveslife！“(4/26。)

Physically，accordingtothetestimonyofhiscontemporaries，hewasalreadyasanadmirablephotographrepresentshimtwentyyearslater：heworealargeblackfelthat；hisfacewasshaven，thechinstrongandwilful，theeyesvigilant，deep-setandpenetrating；hehardlychanged，anditwasthusIsawhimlater，atamoreadvancedage。

TheancientAbbeyofSaint-Martial，wheretheselecturesweregiven，wasoccupiedalsobytheRequienMuseum，ofwhichFabrehadcharge。ItwasherethatheonedaymetJohnStuartMill。

Thecelebratedphilosopherandeconomisthadjustlosthiswife：“themostpreciousfriendshipofhislife“wasended。(4/27。)Itwasonlyafterlongwaitingthathehadbeenabletomarryher。Subjectedatanearlyagebyafatherdevoidoftendernessandformidablyseveretotheharshestofdisciplines，hehadlearnedinchildhood“whatisusuallylearnedonlybyaman。”Scarcelyoutofhislongclothes，hewasconstruingHerodotusandthedialoguesofPlato，andthewholeofhisdrearyyouthwasspentincoveringthevastfieldofthemoralandmathematicalsciences。Hisheart，alwayssuppressed，neverreallyexpandeduntilhemetMrs。HarriettTaylor。

Thiswasoneofthoseprivilegedbeingssuchasseemasaruletoexistonlyinpoetryandliterature；awomanasbeautifulasshewasastonishinglygiftedwiththerarestfaculties；combiningwiththemostsearchingintelligenceandthemostpersuasiveeloquencesoexquisiteasensitivenessthatsheseemedoftentodivineeventsinadvance。

Millpossessedheratlastforafewyearsonly，andhehadresignedhispostintheofficesoftheEastIndiaCompanytoenjoyastudiousretreatintheenchantedatmosphereofsouthernEuropewhensuddenlyatAvignonHarriettMillwascarriedoffbyaviolentillness。(Millretiredin1858，whenthegovernmentofIndiapassedtotheCrown。HehadmarriedMrs。JohnTaylorin1851。[Tr。])

>Fromthattimethephilosopher’shorizonwassuddenlycontractedtothelimitofthoseplaceswhencehadvanishedtheadoredcompanionandthebeneficentgeniuswhohadbeenthesolecharmofhisentireexistence。

Overwhelmedwithgrief，heacquiredasmallcountryhouseinoneoftheleastfrequentedpartsofthesuburbsofAvignon，closetothecemeterywherethebeloveddeadwaslaidtorestforever。Asilentalleyofplanesandmulberry-treesledtothethreshold，whichwasshadedbythedelicatefoliageofamyrtle。Allabouthehadplantedadensehedgeofhawthorn，cypress，andarborvitae，abovewhich，fromthevantageofasmallterrace，built，underhisorders，atthelevelofthefirstfloor，hecouldsee，daybydayandatallhours，thewhitetombofhiswife，andalittleeasehisgrief。

Thushecloisteredhimself，“livinginmemory。”havingnocompanionbutthedaughterofhiswife；tryingtoconsolehimselfbywork，recapitulatinghislife，thestoryofwhichhehastoldinhisremarkable“Memoirs。”(4/28。)

FabrepaidafewvisitstothisTheba？d。AsolitarysuchasMillhadbecomecouldbeattractedonlybyamanofhistemper，inwhomhefound，ifnotanaffinityofnature，atleasttasteslikehisown，andimmenselearning，asgreatashis。ForMillalsowasversedinallthebranchesofhumanknowledge：notonlyhadhemeditatedonthehighproblemsofhistoryandpoliticaleconomy，buthehadalsoprobedallbranchesofscience：

mathematics，physics，andnaturalhistory。Itwasaboveallbotanywhichservedthemasabondofunion，andtheywereoftenseentosetforthonabotanizingexpeditionthroughthecountryside。

Thisfriendship，whichwasnotwithoutprofitforFabre(4/29。)，wasstillmoreprecioustoMill，whofound，inthesocietyofthenaturalist，acertainrelieffromhissorrow。Thesubstanceoftheirconversationwasfarfrombeingsuchasonemighthaveimaginedit。Millwasnothighlysensibletothefestivalofnatureorthepoetryofthefields。Hewashardlyinterestedinbotany，exceptfromthesomewhatabstractpointofviewofclassificationandthesystematicarrangementofspecies。Alwaysmelancholy，cold，anddistant，hespokelittle；butFabrefeltunderthisapparentsensibilityarigorousintegrityofcharacter，agreatcapacityfordevotion，andararegoodnessofheart。

Sothetwowanderedacrosscountry，eachthinkinghisownthoughts，andeachself-containedasthoughtheywerewalkingonparallelbutdistantpaths。

However，Fabrewasnotattheendofhistroubles；andsecretill-feelingbegantosurroundhim。ThefreelecturesatSaint-Martialoffendedthedevout，angeredthesectaries，andexcitedtheintoleranceofthepedants，“whosefeebleeyelidsblinkatthedaylight。”andhewasfarfromreceiving，fromhiscolleaguesatthelycée，thesympathyandencouragementwhichwere，atthismomentespecially，sonecessarytohim。Someevenwentsofarastodenouncehimpublicly，andhewasmentionedonedayfromtheheightofthepulpit，totheindignationofthepupilsoftheupperNormalCollege，asamanatoncedangerousandsubversive。

Somefounditobjectionablethatthis“irregularperson，thismanofsolitarystudy。”should，byhisworkandbythemagicofhisteaching，assumeapositionsouniqueandsodisproportionate。Othersregardedthenoveltyofplacingthesciencesatthedisposalofyounggirlsasaheresyandascandal。

Theirbickering，theircabals，theirsecretmanoeuvres，wereinthelongruntotriumph。Duruyhadjustsuccumbedundertheincessantattacksoftheclericals。InhimFabrelostafriend，aprotector，andhisonlysupport。

Embittered，defeated，hewasnowonlywaitingforapretext，anincident，amerenothing，tothrowupeverything。

Onefinemorninghislandladies，devoutandagedspinsters，madethemselvestheinstrumentsofthespiteofhisenemies，andabruptlygavehimnoticetoquit。hehadtoleavebeforetheendofthemonth，for，simpleandconfidentasusual，hehadobtainedneitheraleasenortheleastwrittenagreement。

Atthismomenthewassopoorthathehadnoteventhemoneytomeettheexpensesofhisremoval。Thetimesweretroublous：thegreatwarhadcommenced，andParisbeinginvestedhecouldnolongerobtainthesmallearningswhichhistextbookswerebeginningtoyieldhim，andwhichhadforsometimebeenincreasinghismodestearnings。Ontheotherhand，havingalwayslivedfarfromallsociety，hehadnotatAvignonasinglerelationwhocouldassisthim，andhecouldneitherobtaincreditnorfindanyonetoextricatehimfromhisembarrassmentsandsavehimfromtheextremityofneedwithwhichhewasthreatened。HethoughtofMill，andinthisdifficultjunctureitwasMillwhosavedhim。ThephilosopherwastheninEngland；hewasforthetimebeingamemberoftheHouseofCommons，andheusedtovaryhislifeatAvignonbyafewweeks’sojourninLondon。Hisreply，however，wasnotlongincoming：almostimmediatelyhesenthelp；asumofsome120poundssterling，whichfelllikemannaintothehandsofFabre；andhedidnot，inexchange，demandtheslightestsecurityforthisadvance。

Then，filledwithdisgust，the“irregularperson“shookofftheyokeandretiredtoOrange。Atfirsthetookshelterwherehecould，anxiousonlytoavoidasfaraspossibleanycontactwithhisfellow-men；then，havingfinallydiscoveredadwellingaltogetherinconformitywithhistastes，hemovedtotheoutskirtsofthecity，andsettledattheedgeofthefields，inthemiddleofagreatmeadow，inanisolatedhouse，pleasantandcommodious，connectedwiththeroadtoCamaretbyasuperbavenueoftallandhandsomeplane-trees。ThishermitageinsomerespectsrecalledthatofMillintheoutskirtsofAvignon；andthencehiseyes，embracingavasthorizon，fromthepedimentoftheancienttheatretothehillsofSérignan，couldalreadydistinguishthepromisedland。

CHAPTER5。AGREATTEACHER。

Itwasin1871。FabrehadlivedtwentyyearsatAvignon。Thisdateconstitutesanimportantlandmarkinhiscareer，sinceitmarkstheprecisemomentofhisfinalrupturewiththeUniversity。

Atthistimethepreoccupationsofmateriallifeweremorepressingthanever，anditwasthenthathedevotedhimselfentirelyandwithperseverancetothewritingofthoseadmirableworksofintroductionandinitiation，inwhichheappliedhimselftorenderingscienceaccessibletotheyoungestminds，andemployedallhisprofoundknowledgetothethoroughteachingofitselementsanditseternallaws。

Tothisungratefultask——ungrateful，butinrealitypleasurable，sostronglyhadhethevocation，thefeeling，andthegeniusoftheteacher——

Fabreappliedhimselfthenceforthwithallhisheart，andfornineyearsneverliftedhishand。

Howinsipid，howforbiddingweretheusualclassbooks，thesecond-ratenaturalhistoriesaboveall，stuffedwithdrystatements，withrawknowledge，whichbroughtnothingbutthememoryintoplay！Howmanyyouthfulfaceshadgrownpaleabovethem！

WhatacontrastandadeliveranceintheselittlebooksofFabre’s，soclear，soluminous，sosimple，whichforthefirsttimespoketotheheartandtheunderstanding；for“workwhichonedoesnotunderstanddisgustsone。”(5/1。)

Toinitiateothersintoscienceorart，itisnotenoughtohaveunderstoodthemoneself；itisnotenougheventhatoneshouldbeanartistorascientist。Scientistsofthehighestflightaresometimesveryunskilfulteachers，andveryindifferenthandsatexplainingthealphabet。Itisnotgiventothefirstcomertoeducatetheyoung；tounderstandhowtoidentifyhisunderstandingwiththeirs，tomeasuretheirpowers。Itisamatterofinstinctandgoodsenseratherthanofmemoryorerudition，andFabre，whohadneverinhislifebeenthepupilofanyone，couldbetterthananyrememberthephasesthroughwhichhismindhadpassed，couldrecollectbywhatdetoursofthemind，bywhatsecretlaboursofthought，bywhatintuitivemethodshehadsucceededinconquering，onebyone，allthedifficultiesinhispath，andingraduallyattainingtoknowledge。

Itiswonderfultowatchthemasterywithwhichheconductshisdemonstrations，thesimplestaswellasthemostinvolved，singlingouttheessential，littlebylittleevokingthesenseofthings，ingeniouslyseekingfamiliarexamples，findingcomparisons，andemployingpicturesqueandstrikingimages，whichthrowadazzlinglightupontheobscurestquestionorthemostdifficultproblem。Howinsuchmatterscanonedispensewithfigurativespeech，whenoneisreduced，asarule，toaninabilitytoshowthethingsthemselves，butonlytheirimagesandtheirsymbols？

Followhim，forexample，inthe“TheSky“(5/2。)，whichseemstothrillwiththeardentandcomprehensivegeniusofaHumboldt，andadmiretheeasewithwhichhesurmountsallthedifficultiesandsmoothsthewayforthevastvoyageonwhichheconductsyou，pasttheinfinityofthesunsandthestarsintheirmillions，scintillatinginthecoldairofnight，todescendoncemoretoourhumble“Earth“(5/3。)；firstanoceanoffire，rollingitsheavywavesofmoltenporphyryandgranite，then“slowlyhardeningintostrangefloesandbergs，hotterthantheredironinthefireoftheforge。”roundingitsback，allcoveredwithgapingpustules，eruptivemountainsandcraters，andthefirstfoldsofitscalcinedcrust，untilthedaywhenthevastmistofdensestvapours，heapeduponeveryhandandofimmeasurabledepth，beginsgraduallytoshowrifts，givingriseatlasttoaninfinitestorm，astupendousdeluge，andformingthestrangeuniversalsea，“amineralsludge，veiledbyachaosofsmoke。”whenceatlengththeprimitivesoilemerges，“andatlastthegreengrass。”

Andalthough“alittleanimalproteid，capableofpleasureandpain，surpassesininterestthewholeimmensecreationofdeadmatter。”hedoesnotforgettoshowusthespectacleoflifeflowingthroughmatteritself；

andheanimateseventhesimpleelementarybodies，celebratingthemarvellousactivitiesoftheair，theviolenceofChlorine，themetamorphosesofCarbon，themiraculousbridalsofPhosphorus，and“thesplendourswhichaccompanythebirthofadropofwater。”(5/4。)

Amanmustindeedloveknowledgedeeplybeforehecanmakeothersloveit，orrenderiteasyandattractive，revealingonlythesmilinghighways；andFabre，aboveallthingstheimpassionedprofessor，wastheverymantoleadhisdisciples“betweenthehedgesofhawthornandsloe。”whethertoshowthemthesap，“thatfruitfulcurrent，thatflowingflesh，thatvegetableblood。”orhowtheplant，byamysterioustransubstantiation，makesitswood，“andthedelicatebundleofswaddling-bandsofitsbuds。”orhow“fromaputridordureitextractstheflavourandthefragranceofitsfruits“；orwhetherheseekstoevokethemurderousplantsthatliveasparasitesatthecostofothers；thewhiteClandestinus，“whichstranglestherootsofthealdersbesidetherivers。”theCuscuta，“whichknowsnothingoflabour。”thewickedOrobanche，plump，powerfulandbrazen，theskincoveredwithuglyscales，“withsombreflowersthatweartheliveryofdeath，whichleapsatthethroatoftheclover，stiflingit，devouringit，suckingitsblood。”(5/5。)

Botany，bythisgenialtreatment，becomesamostinterestingstudy，andI

knowofnomorecaptivatingreadingthan“ThePlant“and“TheStoryoftheLog。”thejewelsofthisincomparableseries。

EmployFabre’smethodifyouwishtolearnbyyourself，ortoevokeinyourchildrenaloveofscience，and，accordingtothephraseofthegentleJean-Jacques，tohelpthem“tobuyatthebestpossibleofprices。”Givethemassoleguidestheseexquisitemanuals，whichtouchuponeverything，initiatingthemintoeverything，andbringingwithinthereachofall，fortheirinstructionoramusement，theheavensandtheearth，theplanetsandtheirmoons，themechanismofthegreatnaturalforcesandthelawswhichgovernthem，lifeanditsmaterials，agricultureanditsapplications。Formorethanaquarterofacenturythesecatechismsofscience，modelsoflucidityandgoodsense，effectedtheeducationofgenerationsofFrenchmen。Abridgmentsofallknowledge，veritablecodesofruralwisdom，theseperfectbreviarieshaveneverbeensurpassed。

Itwasafterreadingtheselittlebooks，itissaid，thatDuruyconceivedtheideaofconfidingtothisadmirableteachertheeducationoftheImperialheir；anditisveryprobablethatthiswas，inreality，thesecretmotivewhichwouldexplainwhyhehadsoexpresslysummonedFabretoParis。Whatanidealtutorhehadthoughtof，andhowproudmightothershavebeenofsuchachoice！Butthemanwastoozealousofhisindependence，toodifficulttotame，tobearwiththeenvironmentofacourt，andGodknowswhetherhewasmadeforsuchrefulgence！WeneednotbesurprisedthatFabreneverheardofit；itmusthavesufficedtheministertospeakwithhimforafewminutestorealizethatthemosttemptingoffersandallthepowersofseductionwouldneverovercomehisinsurmountabledislikeoflifeinacapital，norprevailagainsthisinborn，passionate，exclusiveloveoftheopen。

ForthesevolumesFabrewasatfirstratherwretchedlypaid；atallevents，untilpubliceducationhaddefinitelyreceivedafreshimpulse；andforalongtimehislifeatOrangewasliterallyahand-to-mouthexistence。

Assoonashewasabletorealizeafewadvances，hehadnothingsomuchatheartastherepaymentofMill，andhehastenedtocallonthephilosopher；

allthemorefilledwithgratitudeforhisgenerosityinthattheloan，althoughofthecomparativelylargeamountofthreethousandfrancs，wasmadewithoutsecurity，practicallyfromhandtohand，withnootherwarrantythanhisprobity。

Forthisreasonthisepisodewasalwaysengravenonhismemory。Thirtyyearslaterhewouldrelatetheaffaireventothemostinsignificantdetails。Howmanytimeshashenotremindedmeofthetransaction，insistingthatIshouldmakeanoteofit，soanxiouswashethatthisincidentinhiscareershouldnotbelostinoblivion！HowoftenhashenotrecalledtheinfinitedelicacyofMill，andhisexcessivescrupulousness，whichwentsofarthathewishedtogiveawrittenacknowledgmentoftherepaymentofthedebt，ofwhichtherewasnorecordwhateversaveintheconscienceofthedebtor！

ScarcelytwoyearslaterMilldiedsuddenlyatAvignon。Grieffinallykilledhim；forthisunexpecteddeathseemedtohavebeenonlytheultimateclimaxofthesecretmaladywhichhadsolongbeenundermininghim。

ItwasintheoutskirtsofOrangethatFabreforthelasttimemethimandaccompaniedhimuponabotanizingexpedition。Hewasstruckbyhisweaknessandhisrapiddecline。Millcouldhardlydraghimselfalong，andwhenhestoopedtogatheraspecimenhehadthegreatestdifficultyinrising。Theywerenevertomeetagain。

Afewdayslater——onthe8thMay，1873——Fabrewasinvitedtolunchwiththephilosopher。Beforegoingtothelittlehousebythecemeteryhehalted，aswashiscustom，attheLibraireSaint-Just。Itwastherethathelearned，withamazement，ofthetragicandsuddeneventwhichsetasounexpectedtermtoafriendshipwhichwasdoubtlessalittleremote，butwhichwas，onbothsides，asingularlyloftyandbeautifulattachment。

Hisclass-bookswerenowbringinginscarcelyanything；theirpreparation，moreover，involvedanexcessiveexpenditureoftime，andgavehimagreatdealoftrouble；itisimpossibletoimaginewhatscrupulouscare，whatzealandself-respectFabrebroughttotheexecutionoftheprogrammewhichhehadtofulfil。

Tobeginwith，heconsideredthathecouldnotenjoyamoresplendidopportunitytogivechildrenatasteforscienceandtostimulatetheircuriositythanbyfindingameanstointerestthem，fromtheirearliestinfancy，intheirsimpleplaythings，eventhecrudestandmostinexpensive；

sotrueisitthat“inthesmallestmechanicaldeviceorengine，eveninitssimplestform，asconceivedbytheindustryofachild，thereisoftenthegermofimportanttruths，and，betterthanbooks，theschooloftheplayroom，ifgentlydisciplined，willopenforthechildthewindowsoftheuniverse。”

“Thehumbleteetotum，madeofacrustofrye-breadtransfixedbyatwig，silentlyspinningonthecoverofaschool-book，willgiveacorrectenoughimageoftheearth，whichretainsunmoveditsoriginalimpulse，andtravelsalongagreatcircle，atthesametimeturningonitself。Gummedonitsdisc，scrapsofpaperproperlycolouredwilltellusofwhitelight，decomposableintovariouscolouredrays……

“Therewillbethepop-gun，withitsramrodanditstwoplugsoftow，thehinderoneexpellingtheforemostbytheelasticityofthecompressedair。

Thuswegetaglimpseoftheballisticsofgunpowder，andthepressureofsteaminengines……”

Thelittlehydraulicfountainmadeofanapricotstone，patientlyhollowedandpiercedwithaholeateitherside，intowhichtwostrawsarefitted，onedippingintoacupofwaterandtheotherdulycapped，“expellingaslenderthreadofwaterinwhichthesunlightflickers。”willintroduceustothetruesyphonofphysics。

“Whatamusingandusefullessons“awell-balancedschemeofeducationmightextractfromthis“academyofchildishingenuity“！(5/6。)

Atthistimehewasundertakingtheeducationofhisownchildren。Hischemistrylessonsespeciallyhadagreatsuccess。(5/7。)Withapparatusofhisowndevisingandofthesimplestkind，hecouldperformahostofelementaryexperiments，theapparatusasaruleconsistingofthemostordinarymaterials，suchasacommonflaskorbottle，anoldmustard-pot，atumbler，agoose-quillorapipe-stem。

Aseriesofastonishingphenomenaamazedtheirwonderingeyes。Hemadethemsee，touch，taste，handle，andsmell，andalways“thehandassistedtheword。”always“theexampleaccompaniedtheprecept。”fornoonemorefullyvaluedtheprofoundmaxim，soneglectedandmisunderstood，that“toseeistoknow。”

Heexertedhimselftoarousetheircuriosity，toprovoketheirquestions，todiscovertheirmistakes，tosettheirideasinorder；heaccustomedthemtorectifytheirerrorsthemselves，andfromallthisheobtainedexcellentmaterialforhisbooks。

ForthosemoreespeciallyintendedfortheeducationofgirlshetookcounselwithhisdaughterAntonia，invitinghercollaboration，begginghertosuggesteveryaspectofthematterthatoccurredtoher；forinstance，inrespectofthechemistryofthehousehold，“whereexactscienceshouldsheditslightuponahostoffactsrelatingtodomesticeconomy“(5/8。)，fromthewashingofclothestothemakingofastew。

Evennow，tohisdespair，althoughfreedfromthecaresofschoollife，hewasalwaysalmostwhollywithoutleisuretodevotehimselftohischosensubjects。

Itwasatthisperiodaboveallthathefeltso“lonely，abandoned，strugglingagainstmisfortune；andbeforeonecanphilosophizeonehastolive。”(5/9。)

Andhisincessantlabourwasaggravatedbyabitterdisappointment。IntheyearofMill’sdeathFabrewasdismissedfromhispostasconservatoroftheRequienMuseum，whichhehadheldinspiteofhisdeparturefromAvignon，goingthitherregularlytwiceaweektoacquithimselfofhisduties。Themunicipality，workinginthedark，suddenlydismissedhimwithoutexplanation。ToFabrethisdismissalwasinfinitelybitter；“asweeper-boywouldhavebeentreatedwithasmuchceremony。”(5/10。)Whatafflictedhimmostwasnottheundeservedslightofthedismissal，buthisunspeakableregretatquittingthosebelovedvegetablecollections，“amassedwithsuchlove“byRequien，whowashisfriendandmaster，andbyMillandhimself；andthethoughtthathewouldhenceforthperhapsbeunabletosavethesepreciousbutperishablethingsfromoblivion，orterminatethebotanicalgeographyofVaucluse，onwhichhehadbeenthirtyyearsatwork！

Forthisreason，whentherewassometalkofestablishinganagronomicstationatAvignon，andofappointinghimdirector，hewasatfirstwarmlyinfavouroftheidea。(5/11。)Alreadyheforesawahostoffascinatingexperiments，ofthehighestpracticalvalue，conductedinthepeaceandleisureandsecurityofafixedappointment。Itisindeedprobablethatinsovastafieldhewouldhavedemonstratedmanyvaluabletruths，fruitfulinpracticalresults；hewascertainlymeantforsuchatask，andhewouldhaveperformeditwithgenuinepersonalsatisfaction。Hehadalreadyexertedhisingenuitybytryingtodevelop，amongthechildrenofthecountryside，atasteforagriculture，whichherightlyconsideredthelogicalcomplementoftheprimaryschool，andwhichisbaseduponallthescienceswhichhehimselfhadstudied，probed，taught，andpopularized。

Itwillberememberedhowpatientlyhedevotedhimselffortwelveyearstothestudyofmadder，multiplyinghisresearches，andapplyinghimselfnotonlytoextractingthecolouringprinciple，butalsotoindicatingmeanswherebyadulterationandfraudmightbedetected。

Hehadpublishedmemoirsofgreatimportancedealingwithentomologyinitsrelationstoagriculture。Impressedwiththeimportanceofthislittleworld，hesuggestedvaluableremedies，meansofpreservation；whichwereallthemorelogicalinthatthedestructionofinsects，ifitistobeefficacious，mustbebasednotuponagrossempiricism，butonapreviousstudyoftheirsociallifeandtheirhabits。

Withwhatpatienceheobservedtheterriblydestructiveweevils，andthoseformidablemothswithdownywings，whichflywithoutsoundofanight，andwhosedepredationshaveoftenbeenvaluedatmillionsoffrancs！Howmeticulouslyhehasrecordedtheconditionswhichfavourorcheckthedevelopmentofthoseparasiticfungiwhosemortalblemishesareseenonbudsandflowers，onthegreenshootsandclustersthatpromiseaprosperousvintage！

Butthenhebecameanxious。Wasitallworththesacrificeofhisliberty？

“Wouldhenotsufferathousandannoyancesfrompretentiousnobodies？“forasthingswere，allideasofagain“enregimenting“himself“filledhimwithhorror。”(5/12。)

Slowly，however，thefirstinstalmentoftheworkwhichhehadspentnearlytwenty-fiveyearsinplanning，creating，andpolishing，begantotakeshape。Attheendoftheyear1878hewasabletoassembleasufficientnumberofstudiestoformmaterialforwhatwastobethefirstvolumeofhis“Souvenirsentomologiques。”(Aselectionofwhichforms“SocialLifeintheInsectWorld“(T。FisherUnwin，1912)。)

Letusstopforamomenttoconsiderthisfirstbook，whosepublicationconstitutesatrulyhistoricaldate，notonlyinthecareerofFabre，butintheannalsofuniversalscience。Itwasatoncethefoundationandthekeystoneofthemarvellousedificewhichweshallwatchunfoldingandincreasing，buttowhichthefuturewasinrealitytoaddnothingessential。Thecardinalideasastoinstinctandevolution，thenecessityofexperimentinginthepsychologyofanimals，andtheharmoniclawsoftheconservationoftheindividual，areherealreadyexpoundedintheirfinalanddefiniteform。ThisfruitfulanddecisiveyearbroughtFabreagreatgrief。HelosthissonJules，thatoneofallhischildrenwhomheseemsmostardentlytohaveloved。

Hewasayouthofgreatpromise，“allfire，allflame“；ofaseriousnature；anexquisitebeing，ofaprecociousintelligence，whoserareaptitudesbothforscienceandliteratureweretrulyextraordinary。Suchtoowasthesubtletyofhissensesthatbyhandlingnomatterwhatplant，withhiseyesclosed，hecouldrecognizeanddefineitmerelybythesenseoftouch。Thisdelightfulcompanionofhisfather’sstudieshadscarcelypassedhisfifteenthyearwhendeathremovedhim。Aterriblevoidwasleftinhisheart，whichwasneverfilled。Thirtyyearslatertheleastallusiontothischild，howevertactful，whichrecalledthisdearmemorytohismind，wouldstillwringhisheart，andhiswholebodywouldbeshakenbyhissobs。Asalways，workwashisrefugeandconsolation；butthisterribleblowshatteredhishealth，untilthensorobust。Inthemidstofthisdisastrouswinterhefellseriouslyill。Hewasstrickenwithpneumonia，whichallbutcarriedhimoff，andeveryonegavehimupforlost。However，herecovered，andissuedfromhisconvalescenceasthoughregenerated，andwithstrengthrenewedheattackedthenextstageofhislabours。

Butwhatarethemostfruitfulresolutions，andwhatpoorplaythingsareweinthehandsoftheunexpected！Avulgarincidentofevery-daylifehadsufficedtomakeFabredecidetobreakopenlywiththeUniversity，andtoleaveAvignon。ThesecretmotiveofhisdeparturefromOrangewasscarcelymoresolid。Hisnewlandlordconcludedoneday，eitherfromcupidityorstupidity，tolopmostferociouslythetwomagnificentrowsofplane-treeswhichformedashadyavenuebeforehishouse，inwhichthebirdspipedandwarbledinthespring，andthecicadaechorusedinthesummer。Fabrecouldnotendurethismassacre，thisbarbarousmutilation，thiscrimeagainstnature。Hungryforpeaceandquiet，theenjoymentofadwelling-placecouldnolongercontenthim；atallcostshemustownhisownhome。

So，havingwonthemodestransomofhisdeliverance，hewaitednolonger，butquittedthecitiesforever；retiringtoSérignan，tothepeacefulobscurityofatinyhamlet，andthisquietcorneroftheearthhadhenceforthallhisheartandsoulinkeeping。

CHAPTER6。THEHERMITAGE。

Goethehassomewherewritten：Whosoeverwouldunderstandthepoetandhisworkshouldvisitthepoet’scountry。

Letus，then，thelatestofmany，makethepilgrimagewhichallthosewhoarefascinatedbytheenigmaofnaturewillaccomplishlater，withthesamepietythathasledsomanyandsoferventadmirerstothedwellingofMistralatMaillane。

StartingfromOrangeandcrossingtheAygues，atorrentwhosemuddywatersarelostintheRh？ne，butwhosebedisdriedbytheJulyandAugustsuns，leavingonlyadesertofpebbles，wheretheMason-beebuildsherprettyturretsofrock-work，wecomepresentlytotheSérignaisecountry；anarid，stonytract，plantedwithvinesandolives，colouredarustyred，ortouchedhereandtherewithalmostahueofblood；andhereandthereagroveofcypressmakesasombreblot。Tothenorthrunsalongblacklineofhills，coveredwithboxandilexandthegiantheatherofthesouth。Farinthedistance，totheeast，theimmenseplainisclosedinbythewallofSaint-AmantandtheridgeoftheDentelle，behindwhichtheloftyVentouxrearsitsrocky，clovenbosomabruptlytotheclouds。Attheendofafewmilesofdustyroad，sweptbythepowerfulbreathofthemistral，wesuddenlyreachalittlevillage。Itisacuriouslittlecommunity，withitscentralstreetadornedbyadoublerowofplane-trees，itsleapingfountains，anditsalmostItalianair。Thehousesarelime-washed，withflatroofs；andsometimes，atthesideofsomesmallordecrepitdwelling，weseetheunexpectedcurvesofaloggia。Atadistancethefacadeofthechurchhastheharmoniouslinesofalittleantiquetemple；closeathandisthegracefulcampanile，anoldoctagonaltowersurmountedbyanarrowmitrewroughtinhammerediron，inthemidstofwhichareseentheblackprofilesofthebells。

Ishallneverforgetmyfirstvisit。ItwasinthemonthofAugust；andthewholecountrysidewasringingwiththesongofthecicadae。Ihadappliedtoajob-masterofOrange，countingonhimtotakemethither；buthehadneverdrivenanyonetoSérignan，hadhardlyheardofFabre，anddidnotknowwherehishousewas。Atlength，however，wecontrivedtofindit。Attheentranceofthelittlemarket-town，inasolitarycorner，inthecentreofanenclosureofloftywalls，whichweretallerthanthecrestsofthepinesandcypresses，hisdwellingwashiddenaway。Nosoundproceededfromit；butforthebayingofthefaithfulTomIdonotthinkIshouldhavedaredtoknockonthegreatdoor，whichturnedslowlyonitshinges。Apinkhousewithgreenshutters，half-hiddenamidthesombrefoliage，appearsattheendofanalleyoflilacs，“whichswayinthespringundertheweightoftheirbalmythyrsi。”Beforethehousearetheshadyplane-trees，whereduringtheburninghoursofAugustthecicadaofthefloweringash，thedeafeningcacan，concealedbeneaththeleaves，fillsthehotatmospherewithitseagercries，theonlysoundthatdisturbstheprofoundsilenceofthissolitude。

Beforeus，beyondalittlewallofaheighttoleanupon，onanisolatedlawn，beneaththeshadeofgreattreeswithinterwovenboughs，acircularbasindisplaysitsstillsurface，acrosswhichtheskatingHydrometratracesitswidecircles。Then，suddenly，weseeanopeningintothemostextraordinaryandunexpectedofgardens；awildpark，fullofstrenuousvegetation，whichhidesthepebblysoilinalldirections；achaosofplantsandbushes，createdthroughoutespeciallytoattracttheinsectsoftheneighbourhood。

Thicketsofwildlaurelanddenseclumpsoflavenderencroachuponthepaths，alternatingwithgreatbushesofcoronilla，whichbartheflightofthebutterflywiththeiryellow-wingedflowers，andwhosesearchingfragranceembalmsalltheairaboutthem。

Itisasthoughtheneighbouringmountainhadonedaydeparted，leavinghereitsthistles，itsdogberry-trees，itsbrooms，itsrushes，itsjuniper-

bushes，itslaburnums，anditsspurges。Theretoogrowsthe“strawberrytree。”whoseredfruitswearsofamiliaranappearance；andtallpines，thegiantsofthis“pigmyforest。”TheretheJapaneseprivetripensitsblackberries，mingledwiththePaulowniaandtheCratoeguswiththeirtendergreenfoliage。Coltsfootmingleswithviolets；clumpsofsageandthymemixtheirfragrancewiththescentofrosemaryandahostofbalsamicplants。

Amidthecacti，theirfleshyleavesbristlingwithprickles，theperiwinkleopensitsscatteredblossoms，whileinacornertheserpentarumraisesitscornucopia，inwhichthoseinsectsthatloveputrescencefallengulfed，deceivedbythehorriblesavourofitsexhalations。

Itisinthespringaboveallthatoneshouldseethistorrentofverdure，whenthewholeenclosureawakensinitsfestivalattire，deckedwithalltheflowersofMay，andthewarmair，fullofthehumofinsects，isperfumedwithathousandintoxicatingscents。Itisinthespringthatoneshouldseethe“Harmas。”theopen-airobservatory，“thelaboratoryoflivingentomology“(6/1。)；anameandaspotwhichFabrehasmadefamousthroughouttheworld。

Ienterthedining-room，whosewide，half-closedshuttersallowonlyahalf-lighttoenterbetweentheprintedcurtains。Rush-bottomedchairs，agreattable，aboutwhichsevenpersonsdailytaketheirplaces，afewpoorpiecesoffurniture，andasimplebookcase；suchareallthecontents。Onthemantel，aclockinblackmarble，aprecioussouvenir，theonlypresentwhichFabrereceivedatthetimeofhisexodusfromAvignon；itwasgivenbyhisoldpupils，theyounggirlswhousedtoattendthefreelecturesatSaint-Martial’s。

There，everyafternoon，halflyingonalittlesofa，thenaturalisthasthehabitoftakingashortsiesta。Thislightrepose，evenwithoutsleep，wasofoldenoughtorestorehisenergies，exhaustedbyhoursoflabour。

Thenceforthhewasoncemorealert，andreadyfortheremainderoftheday。

Butalreadyheisonhisfeet，bareheaded，inhiswaistcoat，hissilknecktiecarelesslyfastenedunderthesoftturned-downcollarofhishalf-

openshirt，hisgesture，intheshadowychamber，fullofwelcome。

Fran？oisSicard，inhisfaultlessmedalandhisadmirablebust，hassucceededwithrarefelicityinreproducingforposteritythisrugged，shavenface，fulloflaboriousyears；apeasantface，stampedwithoriginality，underthewidefelthatofProvence；touchedwithgenialityandbenevolence，yetreflectingaworldofenergy。Sicardhasfixedforeverthisstrangemask；thethincheeks，ploughedintodeepfurrows，thestrainednose，thependentwrinklesofthethroat，thethin，shrivelledlips，withanindescribablefoldofbitternessatthecornersofthemouth。

Thehair，tossedback，fallsinfinecurlsovertheears，revealingahigh，roundedforehead，obstinateandfullofthought。Butwhatchisel，whatgravercouldreproducethesurprisingshrewdnessofthatgaze，eclipsedfromtimetotimebyaconvulsivetremoroftheeyelids！WhatHolbein，whatChardincouldrenderthealmostextraordinarybrillianceofthoseblackeyes，thosedilatedpupils：theeyesofaprophet，aseer；singularlywideanddeeplyset，asthoughgazingalwaysuponthemysteryofthings，asthoughmadeexpresslytoscrutinizeNatureanddecipherherenigmas？Abovetheorbits，twoshort，bristlingeyebrowsseemsettheretoguidethevision；one，bydintofknittingitselfabovethemagnifying-glass，hasretainedanindeliblefoldofcontinualattention；theother，onthecontrary，alwaysupdrawn，hasthelookofdefyingtheinterlocutor，offoreseeinghisobjections，ofwaitingwithanever-readyreturn-thrust。

Suchisthisstrikingphysiognomy，whichonewhohasseenitcannotforget。

There，inthis“hermit’sretreat。”ashehimselfhasdefinedit，thesageisvoluntarilysequestered；atruesaintofscience，anasceticlivingonlyonfruits，vegetables，andalittlewine；soinlovewithretirementthateveninthevillagehewasforalongtimealmostunknown，socarefulwashetogoroundinsteadofthroughitonhiswaytotheneighbouringmountain，wherehewouldoftenspendwholedaysalonewithwildnature。

ItisinthissilentTheba？d，sofarfromtheatmosphereofcities，thevainagitationsandstormsoftheworld，thathislifehasbeenpassed，inunchanginguniformity；andherehehasbeenabletopursue，withresolutelabourandincrediblepatience，thatprodigiousseriesofmarvellousobservationswhichfornearlyfiftyyearshehasneverceasedtoaccumulate。

Letusindeedrememberhowmuchtimehasbeenrequiredandwhatefforthasbeenexpendedtocompletethelongandpatientinquirieswhichhehadhithertoaccomplished；obliged，ashewas，toallowhimselftobeinterruptedatanymoment，andtopostponehisobservationsoftenatthemostinterestingmoment，inordertoundertakesomeenervatinglabour，orthedisagreeableandmechanicaldutiesofhisprofession。Rememberthathisfirstlaboursalreadydatedfromtwenty-fiveyearsearlier，andatthemomentwhenweobservehiminhissolitudeatSérignanhehadonlyjustpainfullygatheredtogetherthematerialforhisfirstbook。Whatacontrasttothethirtyfruitfulyearsthatweretofollow！Nownearlytenvolumes，nolessoverflowingwiththerichestmaterial，weretosucceedoneanotheratalmostregularintervals——aboutoneineverythreeyears。

Tobesure，hewouldhavegatheredhisharvestinnomatterwhatcorneroftheworld，providedhehadfoundwithinhisreach，inwhateversphereoflifehehadbeenplaced，anysubjectofinquirywhatever；suchwasRousseau，botanizingoverthebunchofchickweedprovidedforhiscanary；

suchwasBernardinSaint-Pierre，discoveringaworldinastrawberry-plantwhichhadsproutedbychanceatthecornerofhiswindow。(6/2。)Butthefieldinwhichhehadhithertobeenabletogleanwasindeedbarren。Thathewasable，lateron，tonarratethewonderfulhistoryofthePelopaeus，whosehabitshehadobservedatAvignon，wasduetothefactthatthiscuriousinsecthadcometolodgewithhim，havingchosenFabre’schamberforitsdwelling。Nonethelesshethrewhimselfeagerlyuponallsuchscrapsofinformationashappenedtocomeunderhisnotice；witnesstheobservationswhichheembodiedinamemoirtouchingthephosphorescenceofcertainearth-wormswhich，aboundinginalittlecourtyardnearhisdwelling，weresorareelsewherethathewasneveragainabletofindthem。

(6/3。)Itwasthereforefortunate，ifnotforhimself，atleastforhisgenius，thathedidnotbecome，ashehadwished，aprofessorinafaculty；

there，tobesure，hewouldhavefoundatheatreworthyofhisefforts，inwhichhemightevenhavedemonstrated，inallitsmagnificence，hisincomparablegiftofteaching；butitisprobabletoothathewouldhavebeenstrandedinshoalwaters；thatintheofficialatmosphereofacityhisstillmoremarvellousgiftsofobservationwouldscarcelyhavefoundemployment。

Itwasonlybybelongingfullytohimselfthathecouldfruitfullyexercisehistalents。Necessarytoeveryscholar，toeveryinquirer，toanopen-airobserverlikeFabrelibertyandleisureweremorethanusuallyessential；

failingthesehemightneverhaveaccomplishedhismission。Howmanylivesarewasted，howmanymindsexpendedinsheerloss，indefaultofthissufficiencyofleisure！Howmanyscholarstiedtothesoil，howmanyphysiciansabsorbedbyanexigentpractice，whoperhapshadsomewhattosay，havesucceededonlyindevisingplans，foreverpostponingtheirrealizationtosomemiraculoustomorrow，whichalwaysrecedes！

Butwemustnotfallintoillusions。Howmanymightbetemptedtoimitatehim，hopingtoseesomeunknowntalentawakenorexpandwithinthem，onlytofindthemselvesincapableofproducinganything，andtoconsumethemselvesinaninsurmountableandbarrenennui！Onemustberichinone’sownnature，richinwillandinability，toliveapartandseeknewpathsinsolitude，anditisnotwithoutreasonthatthemajorityprefertheturmoilofcitiesandthemurmurofmentothesilenceofthecountry。

Theatmosphereofagreatcapital，forinstance，issingularlyconducivetowork。Livingconstantlywithinthecircleoflightshedbythemasters，withinreachofthelaboratoriesandthegreatlibraries，wearelesslikelytogoastray；wearestimulatedbythecontactofothers；weprofitbytheiradviceandexperience；anditiseasytoborrowideasifwelackthem。Thenthereisthestimulantofself-respect，thesenseofrivalry，theeagerdesiretoadvance，todistinguishoneself，toshine，toattractattention，tobecomeinone’sturnanarbiter，anobjectofwonderandenvy，withoutwhichstimulusmanywouldmerelyhaveexisted，andwouldneverhavebecomewhattheyare。

Ontheotherhand，amanneedsanintrinsicradio-activity，andarealtalent；andtheaid，moreover，ofexceptionalcircumstances，iffameistoconsenttocometohimandtakehimbythehandinthedepthsofsomeunknownMaillane，someobscureSérignan；even，asinthecaseofFabre，attheendonlyofalonglife。

Buthe，byakindoffatalityinherentinhisnature，loved“tocircumscribehimself。”accordingtothehappyexpressionofRousseau；andheprofited，ratherthanotherwise，bylivingentirelytohimself；forhehadlongbeen，indeedhealwayswas，themanwho，attwenty-five，writingtohisbrother，hadsaid，inspeakingofhisnativecountryside：

“Foraimpassionedbotanist，itisadelightfulcountry，inwhichIcouldpassamonth，twomonths，threemonths，ayeareven，alone，quitealone，withnoothercompanionthanthecrowsandthejayswhichgossipamongtheoak-trees；withoutbeingwearyforamoment；therewouldbesomanybeautifulfungi，orange，rosy，andwhite，amongthemosses，andsomanyflowersinthefields。”(6/4。)

Hisworkhavingbroughthimatlastjustenoughtoenablehimtogivehimselfthepleasureofbecoming，inhisturn，aproprietor，hehadacquired，foramodestsum，thisdilapidateddwellingandthisdesertedspotofground；barrenland，givenovertocouch-grass，thistles，andbrambles；asortof“accursedspot，towhichnoonewouldhaveconfidedevenapinchofturnip-seed。”Apieceofwaterinfrontofthehouseattractedallthefrogsintheneighbourhood；thescreech-owlmewedfromthetopsoftheplane-trees，andnumerousbirds，nolongerdisturbedbythepresenceofman，haddomiciledthemselvesinthelilacsandthecypresses。

Ahostofinsectshadseizeduponthedwelling，whichhadlongbeendeserted。

Herestoredthehouse，andtosomeextentreducedconfusiontoorder。Intheuncultivatedandpebblyplainwheretheploughhadbeenlongastrangerheestablishedplantsofathousandvarieties，and，thebettertohidehimself，hehadwallsbuilttoshuthimselfin。

WhywashedrawnbypreferencetothisvillageofSérignan？——forhedidnotgothitherwithoutmakingsomeinquiriesastothepossibilityofobtainingshelterelsewhere，andtheCarpentrascemeteryhadtemptedhimalso；butwhathadparticularlyseducedanddrawnhimthitherwasthenearnessofthemountainwithitsMediterraneanflora，sorichthatitrecalledtheCorsicanmaquis；fullofbeautifulfungiandvariedinsects，where，undertheflatstonesexposedtotheburningsun，thecentipedeburrowedandthescorpionslept；whereaspecialfaunaabounded——ofcuriousdung-beetles，scarabaei，theCopris，theMinotaur，etc——whichonlyalittlefarthernorthgrowrapidlyscarcerandthenaltogetherdisappear。

Hehadthusatlastarrivedinport；hehadfoundhis“Eden。”

Hehadrealized，“afterfortyyearsofdesperatestruggles。”thedearest，themostardent，thelongestcherishedofallhisdesires。Hecouldobserveatleisure“everyday，everyhour。”hisbelovedinsects；“underthebluesky，tothemusicofthecigales。”Hehadonlytoopenhiseyesandtosee；

tolendanearandhear；toenjoythegreatblessingofleisuretohisheart’scontent。

Doffingtheprofessor’sfrock-coatforthepeasant’sblouse，plantingarootofsweetbasilinhis“topper。”andfinallykickingittopieces，hesnappedhisfingersathispastlife。

Liberatedatlast，farfromallthatcouldirritateordisturbhimormakehimfeeldependent，satisfiedwithhismodestearnings，reassuredbytheever-increasingpopularityofhislittlebooks，hehadobtainedentirepossessionofhisownbodyandmind，andcouldgivehimselfwithoutreservetohisfavouritesubjects。

So，withNatureandherinexhaustiblebookbeforehim，hetrulycommencedanewlife。

Butwouldthislifehavebeenpossiblewithoutthesupportandcomfortofthoseintimatefeelingswhichareattherootofhumannature？Manisseldomthemasterofthesefeelings，andthey，withreasonordespitereason，forcethemselvesonhisnoticeasthequestionofquestions。

ThisdelicateproblemFabrehadtoresolveaftersufferingafreshgrief。

Hardlyhadhecommencedtoenjoythebenefitsofthisprofoundpeace，whenhelosthiswife。Atthismomenthischildrenwerealreadygrownup；someweremarriedandsomereadytoleavehim；andhecouldnothopemuchlongertokeephisoldfather，theex-café-keeperofPierrelatte，whohadcometorejoinhim；andwhomightbeseen，eveninhisextremeoldage，goingforthinallweathersanddragginghisagedlimbsalongalltheroadsofSérignan。(6/5。)Theson，moreover，hadinheritedfromhisfatherhisprofoundinaptitudeforthepracticalbusinessoflife，andwasequallyincapableofmanaginghisinterestsandtheeconomicsofthehouse。Thisiswhy，aftertwoyearsofwidowerhood，havingalreadypassedhissixtiethyear，althoughstillphysicallyquiteyouthful，heremarried。Carelessofopinion，obeyingonlythedictatesofhisownheartandmind，andfollowingalsotheintuitionsofunerringinstinct，whichwassuperiortotheunderstandingofthosewhothoughtittheirdutytoopposehim，hemarried，asBoazmarriedRuth，ayoungwoman，industrious，fulloffreshnessandlife，alreadycompletelydevotedtohisservice，andadmirablyfittedtosatisfythatcravingfororder，peace，quiet，andmoraltranquillity，whichtohimwereaboveallthingsindispensable。

Hisnewcompanion，moreover，wasinallthingsfaithfultohermission，anditwasthankstothebenefitsofthisunion，asthefuturewastoshow，thatFabrewasinapositiontopursuehislong-delayedinquiries。

Threechildren，asonandtwodaughters，wereborninswiftsuccession，andreconstituted“thefamily。”whichwasverysoonincreasedbytheyoungestofhisdaughtersbyhisfirstwife，whohadnotmarried；thiswasthatAgla？，whosooftenhelpedherfatherwithherchildlikeattentions，and，“hercheekbloomingwithanimation。”collaboratedinsomeofhismostfamousobservations(6/6。)；anunobtrusivefigure，asoulfullofdevotionandresignation，heroicandtender。Havinginvainventuredintotheworld，shehadreturnedtothebelovedroofatSérignan，unabletopartfromthefathershesoadmiredandadored。

Later，whentheshadowofagegrewdenserandheavier，theyoungwifeandtheyoungerchildrenofthefamouspoet-entomologisttookpartinhislaboursalso；theygavehimtheirmaterialassistance，theirhands，theireyes，theirhearing，theirfeet；heinthemidstofthemwastheconceiving，reasoning，interpreting，anddirectingbrain。

>FromthistimeforwardthebiographyofFabrebecomessimplified，andremainsastatementofhisinnerlife。Forthirtyyearsheneveremergedfromhishorizonofmountainsandhisgardenofshingle；helivedwhollyabsorbedindomesticaffectionsandthetasksofanaturalist。Nonetheless，hestillexercisedhisvocationasteacher，forneitherpuresciencenorpoetrywassufficienttonourishhismind，andhewasstillProfessorFabre，untiringlypursuinghisprogrammeofeducation，althoughnolongerapplyinghimselftheretoexclusively。

Thislongactiveperiodwasalsothemostsilentperiodofhislife，althoughnotanhour，notaminuteofhismanydayswasleftunoccupied。

Inthefirstfewmonthsathisnewhomeheresumedhishymntolabour。

“Youwilllearninyourturn。”hewritestohissonémile，“youwilllearn，Ihope，thatweareneversohappyaswhenworkdoesnotleaveusamoment’srepose。Toactistolive。”(6/7。)

Thebettertobelongtohimself，heeludedallinvitations，eventhosefromhisnearestormostintimatefriends；hehatedtogoawayevenforafewhours，preferringtoenjoyinhisownhousetheirpresenceamidsthishabitualanddelightfulsurroundings。Everythinginthisstillunexploredcountrywasnewtohim。Whatwouldhedoelsewhere，eveninhisbelovedCarpentras，whitherhisfaithfulfriendandpupilDevillario，whohadformerlyfollowedhiminhiswalksaroundAvignon，wouldendeavourfromtimetotimetodrawhim？Devillariowasamagistrate，acollectorandpalaeontologist；hissimpletastes，hiswideculture，andhispassionfornaturalhistorywouldsurelyhavedecidedFabretoaccepthisinvitations，butthatheforbadehimselfthepleasure。“Iamafraidthehospitablecutletthatawaitsmeatyourtablewillhavetimetogrowcold；Iamuptotheneckinmywork(6/8。)……Butyou，whenyoucan，escapefromyourcourts，andwewillphilosophizeatrandom，asisourcustomwhenwecanmanagetopassafewhourstogether。Asforme，itisverydoubtfulwhetherthetemptationwillseizemetocometoCarpentras。AhermitoftheTheba？dwasnomorediligentinhiscellthanIinmyvillagehome。”(6/9。)

CHAPTER7。THEINTERPRETATIONOFNATURE。

Wastherenotindeedasufficiencyofcaptivatingmattersallabouthim，andbeneathhisveryfeet？

Inhisdeep，sunnygardenathousandinsectsfly，creep，crawl，andhum，andeachrelatesitshistorytohim。Agoldengardener-beetletrotsalongthepath。Rose-beetlespass，insnoringflight，oneveryhand，thegoldandemeraldoftheirelytragleaming；nowandagainoneofthemalightsforamomentonthefloweringheadofathistle；heseizesitcarefullywiththetipsofhisnervous，pointedfingers，seemstocaressit，speakstoit，andthensuddenlyrestoresittofreedom。

Waspsarepillagingthecentauries。OntheblossomsofthecamomilethelarvaeoftheMelo？arewaitingfortheAnthophoraetocarrythemofftotheircells，whilearoundthemroamtheCicindelae，theirgreenbodies“spottedwithpointsofamaranth。”Atthebottomofthewalls“thechillyPsychecreepsslowlyalongunderhercloakoftinytwigs。”Inthedeadboughofalilac-treethedark-huedXylocopa，thewood-boringbee，isbusytunnellinghergallery。IntheshadeoftherushesthePrayingMantis，rustlingthefloatingrobeofherlongtendergreenwings，“gazesalertly，onthewatch，herarmsfoldedonherbreast，herappearancethatofonepraying。”andparalysesthegreatgreylocust，nailedtoitsplacebyfear。

Nothinghereisinsignificant；whattheworldwouldsmileatorderidewillprovidethesagewithfoodforthoughtandreflection。“Nothingistrivialinthemajesticproblemofnature；ourlaboratoryacquariaareoflessvaluethantheimprintwhichtheshoeofamulehasleftintheclay，whentherainhasfilledtheprimitivebasin，andlifehaspeopleditwithmarvels“；andtheleastfactofferedusbychanceonthemostthoroughlybeatentrackmaypossiblyopenprospectsasvastasallthestarrysky。

Tellyourselfthateverythinginnatureisasymbolofsomethinglikeaspecimenofanabstrusecryptogram，allthecharactersofwhichconcealsomemeaning。Butwhenwehavesucceededindecipheringtheselivingtexts，andhavegraspedtheallusion；when，besidethesymbol，wehavesucceededinfindingthecommentary，thenthemostdesolatecorneroftheearthappearstothesolitaryseekerasagalleryfullofthemasterpiecesofanunsuspectedart。Fabreputsintoourhandsthegoldenkeywhichopensthedoorsofthismarvellousmuseum。

Letusconsidertheterebinthlouse；itisjustalittleyellowmite；butisitnothingelse？Itsgenealogicalhistoryteachesus“bywhatamazingessaysofpassionandvarietytheuniversallawwhichrulesthetransmissionoflifeisevolved。Hereisneitherfathernoreggs；allthesemitesaremothers；andtheyoungarebornliving，justliketheirmothers。”

Tothisend“almostthewholeofthematernalsubstanceisdisintegratedandrenewedandconglobatedtoformtheovarium……thewholecreaturehasbecomeanegg，whichhas，foritsshell，thedryskinofthetinycreature，andthemicroscopewillshowawholeworldinformation……anebulosityasofwhiteofegg，inwhichfreshcentresoflifeareforming，asthesunsarecondensedinthenebulaeoftheheavens。”(7/1。)

Whatisthisfleckoffoam，likeadropofsaliva，whichweseeinspringtimeontheweedsofthemeadows；amongothersonthespurge，whenitsstemsbegintoshoot，anditssombreflowersopeninthesunlight？“Itistheworkofaninsect。ItistheshelterinwhichtheCicadellinadepositshereggs。Whatamiraculouschemist！Herstilettoexcelsthefinestcraftofthebotanicalanatomist“byitssovereignartofseparatingtheacridpoisonwhichflowswiththesapintheveinsofthemostvenomousplants，andextractingtherefromonlyaninoffensivefluid。(7/2。)

Ateverysteptheinsectssetusproblemsequallyvaried。Theothercreaturesarenearertous；theyresembleusinmanyrespects。Butinsects，almostthefirst-bornofcreation，formaworldapart，andcontain，intheirtinybodies，asRéaumurhasadmirablysaid，“morepartsthanthemostgiganticanimals。”Theyhavesensesandfacultiesoftheirown，whichenablethemtoaccomplishactions，whicharedoubtlessverysimplyrelatedinreality，butwhichseem，toourminds，asextraordinaryasthehabitsoftheinhabitantsofMarsmight，ifbychancetheyweretodescendinourmidst。Wedonotknowhowtheyhear，norhowtheyseethroughtheircompoundeyes，andourignoranceconcerningthemajorityoftheirsensesstillfurtherincreasesthedifficulty，whichsooftenarrestsus，ofinterpretingtheiractions。

ThetubercledCerceris“findsbythehundred“andalmostimmediatelyaspeciesofweevil，theCleonaophthalmica，onwhichitfeedsitslarvae，andwhichthehumaneye，thoughitsearchesforhours，canscarcelyfindanywhere。TheeyesoftheCercerisarelikemagnifyingglasses，veritablemicroscopes，whichimmediatelydistinguish，inthevastfieldofnature，anobjectthathumanvisionispowerlesstodiscover。(7/3。)

HowdoestheAmmophila，hoveringovertheturfandinvestigatingitfarandwide，initssearchforagreygrub，contrivetodiscerntheprecisepointinthedepthofthesubsoilwherethelarvaisslumberinginimmobility？

“Neithertouchnorsightcancomeintoplay，forthegrubissealedupinitsburrowatadepthofseveralinches；northescent，sinceitisabsolutelyinodorous；northehearing，sinceitsimmobilityisabsoluteduringthedaytime。”(7/4。)

TheProcessionalcaterpillarofthepine-trees，“endowedwithanexquisitehygrometricsensibility。”isabarometermoreinfalliblethanthatofthephysicists。“Itforeseesthetempestspreparingafar，atenormousdistances，almostintheotherhemisphere。”andannouncesthemseveraldaysbeforetheleastsignofthemappearsonthehorizon。(7/5。)

Awildbee，theChalicodoma，andawasp，theCerceris，carriedinthedarkfarfromtheirfamiliarpastures，toadistanceofseveralmiles，andreleasedinspotswhichtheyhaveneverseen，crossvastandunknownspaceswithabsolutecertainty，andregaintheirnests；evenafterlongabsence，andinspiteofcontrarywindsandthemostunexpectedobstacles。Itisnotmemorythatguidesthem，butaspecialfacultywhoseastonishingresultswemustadmitwithoutattemptingtoexplainthem，sofarremovedaretheyfromourownpsychology。(7/6。)Buthereisanotherexample：

TheGreaterPeacockmothscrosshillsandvalleysinthedarkness，withaheavyflightofwingsspottedwithinexplicablehieroglyphics。Theyhastenfromtheremotestdepthsofthehorizontofindtheir“sleepingbeauties。”

drawntheretobyunknownodours，inappreciablebyoursenses，yetsopenetratingthatthebranchofalmondonwhichthefemalehasperched，andwhichshehasimpregnatedwithhereffluvium，exertsthesameextraordinaryattraction。(7/7。)

Consideringthesecreatures，weendbydiscoveringmorethingsthanarecontainedinallthephilosophies……ifweknowhowtolookforthem。

Amongsomanyunimaginablephenomena，whichbewilderus，“becausethereisnothinganalogousinus。”wesucceedinperceiving，hereandthere，afewglimpsesofday，whichsuddenlythrowasingularlightuponthisblacklabyrinth，inwhichtheleastsecretwecansurprise“entersperhapsmoredirectlyintotheprofoundenigmaofourendsandouroriginsthanthesecretofthemosturgentandmostcloselystudiedofourpassions。”(7/8。)

Fabreexplainsbyhypnosisoneofthosecuriousfactswhichhavehithertobeensopoorlyinterpreted。Whensurprisedbyabnormalconditions，weseeinsectssuddenlyfallover，droptotheground，andlieasthoughstruckbylightning，gatheringtheirlimbsundertheirbodies。Ashock，anunexpectedodour，aloudnoise，plungestheminstantlyintoasortoflethargy，moreorlessprolonged。Theinsect“feignsdeath。”notbecauseitsimulatesdeath，butinrealitybecausethisMAGNETICconditionresemblesthatofdeath。(7/9。)NowtheOdynerus，theAnthidium，theEucera，theAmmophila，andallthehymenopterawhichFabrehasobservedsleepingatthefallofnight，“suspendedinspacesolelybythestrengthoftheirmandibles，theirbodiestense，theirlimbsretracted，withoutexhaustionorcollapse“；andthelarvaoftheEmpusa，“whichforsometenmonthshangstoatwigbyitslimbs，headdownwards“：donotthesepresentasurprisinganalogywiththosehypnotizedpersonswhopossessthefacultyofremainingfixedinthemostpainfulposes，andofsupportingthemostunusualattitudes，foranextremelylongtime；forinstance，withonearmextended，oronefootraisedfromtheground，withoutappearingtoexperiencetheleastfatigue，andwithaperseveringandunfalteringenergy？(7/10。)

Thattheex-schoolmasterwasabletopenetratesofarintothisnewworld，andthathehasbeenabletointerestusinsomanyfascinatingproblems，wasduetothefactthathehadalso“takenawidebird’s-eyeviewthroughallthewindowsofcreation。”Hisuniversalcapabilities，hisimmensecultureandalmostencyclopaedicsciencehaveenabledhimtoutilize，thankstohisstudies，alltheknowledgealliedtohissubject。Heisnotoneofthosewhounderstandonlytheirspecialityandwho，knowingnothingoutsidetheirownprovinceandtheirparticularlabours，refusetograspatanythingbeyondthenarrowlimitswithinwhichtheystandinstalled。

Allplantsaretohimsofamiliarthattheflowers，forhim，assumetheairsoflivingpersons。Butwithoutaprofoundknowledgeofbotany，whowouldhopetograsptheprofound，perpetual，andintimaterelationsoftheplantandtheinsect？

Hehasturnedoverstrataandinterrogatedtheschistousdeposits，whosearchivespreservetheformsofvanishedorganizations，but“keepsilenceastotheoriginoftheinstincts。”Bendingoverhisreagents，hehassoughttodiscover，accordingtothephraseofaphilosopher，thosesecretretreatsinwhichNatureisseatedbeforeherfurnaces，inthedepthsofherlaboratory；followingupthemetamorphosesofmattereventothewingsoftheScarabaei，andobservinghowlife，returningtohercruciblethedebrisandashesoftheorganism，combinestheelementsanew，andfromtheelementsoftheurinecanderive，forexample，byasimpledisplacementofmolecules，“allthisdazzlingmagicofcoloursofinnumerableshades：theamethystinevioletofGeotrupes，theemeraldoftherose-beetle，thegildedgreenoftheCantharides，themetalliclustreofthegardener-beetles，andallthepompoftheBuprestesandthedung-beetles。”(7/11。)

Hisbooksaresteepedinalltheideasofmodernphysics。Thehighestmathematicalknowledgehasbeenreferredtowithprofitinhismarvellousdescriptionofthehunting-netoftheEpe？ra。Whose“terriblyscientific“

combinationsrealize“thespirallogarithmofthegeometers，socuriousinitsproperties“(7/12。)；asplendidobservation，inwhichFabremakesusadmire，inthehumblewebofaspider，amasterpieceasastonishingandincomprehensibleasandevenmoresublimethanthehoneycomb。

ThisexplainswhyFabrehasalwaysenergeticallydeniedthatheisproperlyspeakinganentomologist；andindeedthetermappearsoftenwronglytodescribehim。Heloves，onthecontrary，tocallhimselfanaturalist；thatis，abiologist；biologybeing，bydefinition，thestudyoflivingcreaturesconsideredasawholeandfromeverypointofview。Andasnothinginlifeisisolated，asallthingsholdtogether，andaseachpart，inallitsrelations，presentsitselftothegazeoftheobserverunderinnumerableaspects，onecannotbeatruenaturalistwithoutbeingatthesametimeaphilosopher。

Butitisnotenoughtoknowandtoobserve。

Tobeadmittedtothespectacleofthesetinycreatures，tobecomefamiliarwiththeirhabits，tograspthemysteriousthreadswhichconnectthemonewithanotherandwiththevastuniverse：forthisthecoldanddeliberatevisionofthespecialistwouldoftenbeinsufficient。Thereisanartofobservation，andthegiftofobservationisatruefunctionofthatconstantlyalertintelligence，continuallydominatedbytheneedofdelvinguntiringlydowntotheultimatetruthaccessible，“allowingourselvestopassovernothingwithoutseekingitsreason，andhabituallyfollowingupeveryresponsewithanotherquestion，untilwecometothegranitewalloftheUnknowable。”Aboveallweneedanardentandinterestedsympathy，for“wepenetratefartherintothesecretofthingsbytheheartthanbythereason。”asToussenelhassaid；and“itisonlybyintuitionthatwecanknowwhatlifetrulyis。”addsBergsonprofoundly。(7/13。)NowFabrelovestheselittlepeoplesandknowshowtomakeuslovethem。Howtenderlyhespeaksofthem；withwhatsolicitudeheobservesthem；withwhatlovehefollowstheprogressoftheirnurslings；theyounggrubswrigglinginhistest-tubes，withdodderingheads，arehappy；andhehimselfishappytoseethem“well-fedandshiningwithhealth。”HepitiesthebeestabbedbythePhilanthus“intheholyjoysoflabour。”Hesympathizeswiththesufferingsoftheselittlecreaturesandtheirhardlabours。If，inhissearchforideas，hehastooverturntheirdwellings，“herepentsofsubjectingmaternallovetosuchtribulations。”andifheisconstrainedtoputthemtothequestion，totormenttheminordertoextracttheirsecrets，heisgrievedtohaveprovoked“suchmiseries！“(7/14。)Havingprovidedfortheirneeds，andsatisfiedwiththesecretswhichtheyhaverevealedtohim，itisnotwithoutregretanddifficultythathepartsfromthemandrestoresthem“tothedelightsofliberty。”

Heisthoroughlyconvinced，moreover，thatallthecreaturesthatsharethefaceoftheearthwithusareaccomplishinganaugustandappointedtask。

Hewelcomestheswallowstohisdwelling，evensurrenderinghisworkroomtothem，attheriskofjeopardizinghisnotesandbooks。Hepleadsforthefrog，andapplieshimselftosettingforthhisunknownqualities；herehabilitatesthebat，thehedgehog，andthescreech-owl，persecuted，defamed，crushed，stoned，andcrucified！(7/15。)

Sointimateisthelifewhichheleadsamongthemallthathemakeshimselftrulytheircompanion，andrelateshisownhistoryinnarratingtheirs；

pleasedtodiscoverintheirjoysandsorrowshisowntrialsanddelights；

minglingintheirannalshismemoriesandhisimpressions；delightfulfragmentsofachildlikeautobiography，encrustedinhislearnedwork；

movinganddelightfulpagesinwhichalltheingenuityofthisnoblemindrevealsitselfwithatouchingsincerity，inwhichallthefreshnessofthischarmingandsoprofoundlyunworldlynatureisseenasthroughapurecrystal。

Thereisnorealcommunionwithnaturewithoutsentiment，withoutanilluminatingpassion：oftenthesoleandeffectualgracewhichenablesitstruemeaningtoappear。Neithertaste，norintelligence，norlogic，norallthescienceoftheschoolscansufficealone。Toseefurtherthereisneededsomethinglikeagiftofcorrespondence，surpassingthelimitsofobservationandexperience，whichenablesustoforeseeandtodivinetheprofoundsecretsoflifewhichliebeneathappearances。Thosewhoaresogiftedhaveoftenonlytoopentheireyesinordertograspmattersintheirtruelight。

Agreatobserverisinrealityapoetwhoimaginesandcreates。Themicroscope，themagnifyingglass，thescalpel，areasitwerethestringsofalyre。“Thefelicitousandfruitfulhypothesiswhichconstitutesscientificinventionisagiftofsentiment“inthewordsofClaudeBernard；andofthiskingofphysiology，whocommencedbyprovinghimselfinworksofpureimagination，andwhosegeniusfinallytookforitsthemethemanifoldvariationsoflivingflesh，ofhimtoomaywenotsaythathehasexploredthelabyrinthsoflifewith“thetorchofpoetryinhishand“？

Similarly，donottheharmonioussequenceswhichrunthroughalltheadmirablediscoveriesofPasteurgiveusthesensationofaveritableandgiganticpoem？

InFabrealsoitseemsthatthepassionwhichhebringstoallhispatientobservationsisinitselftrulycreative：“hisheartbeatswithemotion，thesweatdripsfromhisbrowtothesoil，makingmortarofthedust“；heforgetsfoodanddrink，and“thuspasseshoursofoblivioninthehappinessoflearning。”Ihaveseenhiminhislaboratorystudyingthespawningofthebluebottle，whenI，athisside，couldscarcelysupportthehorriblestenchwhichrosefromtheputrefyingaddersandlumpsofmeat；he，however，wasobliviousofthefrightfulodour，andhisfacewasinundatedwithsmilesofdelight。

Intelligence，then，mustherebetheservantoffeelingandintuition；akindofprimitivefaculty，mysteriousandinstinctive，whichalonemakesagreatnaturalistlikeFabre，agreathistorianlikeMichelet，agreatphysicianlikeBoherhaaveorBretonneau。