第5章

Theblue-fly，buriedinthedepthofthesand，“cracksitsbarrel-shapedcoffin。”andsplitsitsmask，inordertodisinteritself；theheaddividesintotwohalves，betweenwhichweseeemerginganddisappearingbyturnsamonstroustumour，whichcomesandgoes，swellsandshrivels，palpitates，labours，lunges，andretires，thuscompressingandgraduallyunderminingthesand，untilatlastthenewbornflyemergesfromthedepthofthecatacombs。(13/1。)

Certainyoungspiders，inordertoemancipatethemselves，toconquerspace，anddispersethemselvesabouttheworld，resorttoaningenioussystemofaviation。Theygainthehighestpointofthethicket，andreleaseathread，which，seizedbythewind，carriesthemawaysuspended。Eachshineslikeapointoflightagainstthefoliageofthecypresses。Thereisacontinuousstreamoftinypassengers，leapinganddescendinginscatteredsheavesunderthecaressesofthesun，likeatomicprojectiles，likethefountainoffireatapyrotechnicdisplay。Whatagloriousdeparture，whatanentryintotheworld！Grippingitsaeronauticthread，theinsectascendsinapotheosis！(13/2。)

Butifallarecalledallarenotchosen。“Howmanycanmoveonlyatthegreatestperilundertheruggedearth，proceedingfromshocktoshock，intheharshwombofuniversallife，and，arrestedbyagrainofsand，succumbhalf-way“！

Thereareotherswhomslowermetamorphosescondemntovegetatestilllongerinthesubterraneannight，beforetheyarepermittedtoassumetheirfestivalattire，andshareintheirturninthegladnessofcreation。

ThustheCicadaisforcedtolabourforlonggloomyyearsinthedarknessbeforeitcanemergefromthesoil。Atthemomentwhenitissuesfromtheearththelarva，soiledwithmire，“resemblesasewer-man；itseyesarewhitish，nebulous，squinting，blind。”Then“itclingstosometwig，itsplitsdowntheback，rejectsitsdiscardedskin，drierthanhornyparchment，andbecomestheCigale，whichisatfirstofapalegrass-greenhue。”Then，“Halfdrunkenwithherjoy，shefeastsInahailoffire“；

Andalldaylongdrinksofthesugaredsapoftenderbark，andissilentonlyatnight，satedwithlightandheat。Thesong，whichformspartofthemajesticsymphonyoftheharvest-tide，announcesmerelyitsdelightinexistence。Havingpassedyearsunderground，thecigalehasonlyamonthtoreign，tobehappyinaworldoflight，underthecaressingsun。Judgewhetherthewildlittlecymbalscaneverbeloudenough“tocelebratesuchfelicity，sowellearnedandsoephemeral“！(13/3。)

Allsingforhappiness，eachafteritskind，throughthecalmofthesummerdays。Theirmindsareintoxicated；itistheirfashionofpraying，ofadoring，ofexpressing“thejoysoflife：afullcropandthesunontheback。”Eventhehumblegrasshopperrubsitsflankstoexpressitsjoy，raisesandlowersitsshankstillitswing-casessqueak，andisenchantedwithitsownmusic，whichitcommencesorterminatessuddenly“accordingtothealternationsofsunandshade。”Eachinsecthasitsrhythm，stridentorbarelyperceptible；themusicofthethicketsandfallowscaressedbythesun，risingandfallinginwavesofjoyfullife。

Theinsectsmakemerry；theyholduproariousfestival；andtheymateinsatiably；evenbeforeformingamutualacquaintance；inafuriousrushofliving，for“loveisthesolejoyoftheanimal。”and“toloveistodie。”

Hardlyunwrapped，stilldustyfromthestrenuouslabourofdeliverance，“thefemaleoftheScoliaisseizedbythemale，whodoesnotevengivehertimetowashhereyes。”Havingsleptoverayearunderground，theSitares，barelyridoftheirmummy-cases，taste，inthesunlight，afewminutesoflove，ontheverysiteoftheirre-birth；thentheydie。Lifesurges，burns，flares，sparkles，rushes“inaperpetualtide。”abriefradiancebetweentwonights。

Aworldofamyriadfairiesfillstherustlingforest：dayandnightitunfoldsathousandmarvellouspictures；abouttherootofabramble，intheshadowofanoldwall，onaslopeofloosesoil，orinthedensethickets。

“Theinsectistransfiguredforthenuptialceremony；andeachhopes，initsritual，todeclareitspassion。”FabrehadsomethoughtofwritingtheGoldenBookoftheirbridalsandtheirweddingfestivals(13/4。)；theKamasutraoftheirfeastsandrulesoflove；andwithwhatart，atoncefrankandreserved，hashehereandtherehandledthiswonderfultheme！Intheradiantgardenofdelight，wherenodetailoftruthisomitted，butwherenothingshocksus，Fabrerevealshimselfasheisinhisconversation；evadingthesubjectwhereittakesalicentiousturn；

fundamentallychasteandextremelyreserved。

AtthefootoftherocksthePsyche“appearsinthebalconyofherboudoir，intheraysofthecaressingsun；lyingonthecloudysoftnessofanincomparableeider-down。”Sheawaitsthevisitofthespouse，“thegentleBombyx。”who，fortheceremony，“hasdonnedhisfeatheryplumesandhismantleofblackvelvet。”“Ifheislateincoming，thefemalegrowsimpatient；thensheherselfmakestheadvances，andsetsforthinsearchofhermate。”

Drawnbythesamevoluptuousandoverwhelmingforce，thecricketventurestoleavehisburrow。Adorned“inhisfairestattire，blackjacket，morebeauteousthansatin，withastripeofcarmineonthethigh。”hewandersthroughthewildherbage，“bythediscreetglimmeroftwilight。”untilhereachesthedistantlodgingofthebeloved。Thereatlasthearrives“uponthesandedwalk，thecourtofhonourthatprecedestheentry。”Butalreadytheplaceisoccupiedbyanotheraspirant。Thenthetworivalsfallupononeanother，bitingoneanother’sheads，“untilitendsbytheretreatoftheweaker，whomthevictorinsultsbyabravuracry。”Thehappychampionbridles，assumingaproudair，asofonewhoknowshimselfahandsomefellow，beforethefairone，whofeignstohideherselfbehindhertuftofaphyllantus，allcoveredwithazureflowers。“Withagestureofafore-limbhepassesoneofhisantennaethroughhismandiblesasthoughtocurlit；

withhislong-spurred，red-stripedlegsheshuffleswithimpatience；hekickstheemptyair；butemotionrendershimmute。”(13/5。)

Inthefoliageoftheash-treetheloverofthefemaleCantharisthrasheshiscompanion，whomakesherselfassmallasshecan，hidingherheadinherbosom；hebangsherwithhisfists，buffetsherwithhisabdomen，“subjectshertoaneroticstorm，arainofblows“；then，withhisarmscrossed，heremainsamomentmotionlessandtrembling；finally，seizingbothantennaeofthedesiredone，heforceshertoraiseherhead“likeacavalierproudlyseatedonhorseandholdingthereinsinhishands。”

TheOsmiae“replybyaclickofthejawstotheadvancesoftheirlovers，whorecoil，andthen，doubtlesstomakethemselvesmorevaliant，theyalsoexecuteaferociousmandibulargrimace。Withthisbyplayofthejawsandtheirmenacinggesturesoftheheadintheemptyairthelovershavetheairofintendingtoeatoneanother。”Thustheyprefacetheirbridalsbydisplaysofgallantry，recallingtheancientbetrothalcustomsofwhichRabelaisspeaks；thepretenderswerecuffedandderidedandthreatenedwithaheartypummelling。(13/6。)

Onthearidhillsides，wherethedoubtfulraysofthemoonpiercethestorm-cloudsandilluminethesultryatmosphere，thepalescorpions，withshort-sightedeyes，hideousmonsterswithmisshapenheads，“displaytheirstrangefaces，andtwobytwo，handinhand，stalkinmeasuredpacesamidthetuftsoflavender。Howtelltheirjoys，theirecstasies，thatnohumanlanguagecanexpress……！“(13/7。)

However，theglow-worm，toguidethelover，lightsitsbeacon“likeasparkfallenfromthefullmoon“；but“presentlythelightgrowsfeebler，andfadestoadiscreetnightlight，whileallaroundthehostofnocturnalcreatures，delayedintheiraffairs，murmurthegeneralepithalamium。”

(13/8。)

Buttheirhappytimeissoonover；tragedyisabouttofollowidyll。

Onemustlive，and“theintestinerulestheworld。”

Allcreaturesthatfilltheworldareincessantlyconflicting，andonelivesonlyatthecostofanother。

Ontheotherhand，inorderthatthecominggenerationsmayseethelight，thepresentgenerationsmustthinkofthepreservationoftheyoung。

“Perishalltherestprovidedthebroodflourish！“Andinthedepthofburrowsthefuturelarvaewholiveonlyfortheirstomachs，“littleogres，greedyoflivingflesh。”musthavetheirprey。

Tohungerandmaternityletusalsoaddlove，which“rulestheworldbyconflict。”

Sucharethecomponentsofthe“struggleforexistence。”suchasFabrehasdescribedit，butwithnoothermotivethantodescribewhathehasobservedandseen。Sucharetheordinarythemesofthegrandiosebattleswhichhehasscatteredthroughhisnarratives，andneverdidcircusorarenaoffermorethrillingspectacles；nojungleeverhidmoremovingcombatsinitsthickets。”

“Eachhasitsrusesofwar，itsmethodsofattack，itsmethodsofkilling。”

Whattactics——“studied，scientific，worthyoftheathletesoftheancientpalaestra“——arethosewhichtheSphexemploystoparalysetheCricketandtheCerceristocapturetheCleona，tosecuretheminasuitableplace，soastooperateonthemmoresurelyandatleisure！

Besidethesemasterparalysers，soexpertintheartofdealingslowdeath，therearethosewhich，withaprecisionnolessscholarly，killandwithertheirvictimsatasinglestroke，andwithoutleavingatrace：“truepractitionersincrime。”

Ontherock-rosebushes，withtheirgreatpinkflowers，“theprettyThomisus，thelittlecrab-spider，cladinsatin。”watchesforthedomesticbee，andsuddenlykillsit，seizingthebackofthehead，whilethePhilanthus，alsoseizingitbythehead，plungesitsstingunderthechin，neithertoohighnortoolow，but“exactlyinthenarrowjointoftheneck。”forbothinsectsknowthatinthislimitedspot，inwhichisconcentratedasmallnervousmass，somethinglikeabrain，is“theweakpoint，mostvulnerableofall。”thefaultinthecuirass，thevitalcentre。

Others，liketheAraneidae，intoxicatetheirprey，andtheirsubtlebite，“whichresemblesakiss。”inwhateverpartofthebodyitisapplied，“producesalmostimmediatelyagradualswoon。”

ThusthegreathairyBourdon，inthecourseofitsperegrinationsacrossthewastesofthyme，sometimesfoolishlystraysintothelairoftheTarantula，whoseeyesglimmerlikejewelsatthebackofhisden。Hardlyhastheinsectdisappearedundergroundthanasortofshrillrattlingisheard，a“truedeath-song。”immediatelyfollowedbythecompletestsilence。

“Onlyamoment，andtheunfortunatecreatureisabsolutelydead，proboscisoutstretchedandlimbsrelaxed。Thebiteoftherattlesnakewouldnotproduceamoresuddenparalysis。”

Theterriblespider“crouchingonthebattlementsofhiscastle，hisheavybellyinthesun，attentivetotheslightestrustling，leapsuponwhateverpasses，flyorLibellula，andwithasinglestrokestrangleshisvictim，anddrainsitsbody，drinkingthewarmblood。”

“TodislodgehimfromhiskeepneedsallthecunningstrategyofthePompilus；aterribleduel，ahand-to-handcombat，stupendous，trulyepic，inwhichthesubtleaddressandtheingeniousaudacityofthewingedinsecteventuallytriumphoverthedreadfulspiderandhispoisonedfangs。”

(13/9。)

Onthepinkheather“thetimidspiderofthethicketssuspendsbyetherealcablesthebranchingwhorlofhissnare，whichthetearsofthenighthaveturnedintochapletsofjewels……Themagicaljewellerysparklesinthesun，attractingmosquitoesandbutterflies；butwhosoeverapproachestoocloselyperishes，avictimofcuriosity。”Abovethefunnelisthetrap，“achaosofsprings，aforestofcordage；liketheriggingofashipdismemberedbythetempest。Thedesperatecreaturestrugglesintheshroudsoftherigging，thenfallsintothegloomyslaughter-housewherethespiderlurksreadytobleedhisprey。”

Deathiseverywhere。

Eachcreviceofbark，eachshadowofaleaf，concealsahunterarmedwithadeadlyweapon，allhissensesonthealert。Everywhereareteeth，fangs，talons，stings，pincers，andscythes。

Leapinginthelonggrasses，theDecticuswiththeivoryface“crunchestheheadsofgrasshoppersinhismandibles。”

Aferociouscreature，thegruboftheHemerobius，disembowelsplant-lice，makingoftheirskinsabattle-dress，coveringitsbackwiththeevisceratedvictims，“astheRedIndiantiesabouthisloinsthetressesofhisscalpedenemies。”

CaterpillarsaresurroundedbytheimplacablevoracityoftheCarabidae：

“Thefurryskinsaregapingwithwounds；theircontentsescapeinknotsofentrails，brightgreenwiththeiraliment，theneedlesofthepine-tree；

thecaterpillarswrithe，strugglingwithloop-likemovements，grippingthesandwiththeirfeet，dribblingandgnashingtheirmandibles。Thoseasyetunwoundedarediggingdesperatelyintheattempttoescapeunderground。Notonesucceeds。Theyarescarcelyhalfburiedbeforesomebeetlerunstothemanddestroysthembyanevisceratingwound。”

Atthecentreofitsnet，whichseems“wovenofmoonbeams。”inthemidstofitssnare，aglutinoustrapofinfernalingenuity，orhiddenatadistanceinitscabinofgreenleaves，theEpe？rafasciatawaitsandwatchesforitsprey。Lettheterriblehornet，ortheLibellulaauripennis，flyingfromstemtostem，fallintothelimedsnare；theinsectstruggles，endeavourstounwinditself；thenettremblesviolentlyasthoughitwouldbetornfromitscables。Immediatelythespiderdartsforward，runningboldlytotheintruder。Withrapidgesturesthetwohinderlimbsweaveawinding-

sheetofsilkastheyrotatethevictiminordertoenshroudit……TheancientRetiarius，condemnedtomeetapowerfulbeastofprey，appearedinthearenawithanetofcordagelyinguponhisleftshoulder；theanimalspranguponhim；theman，withasuddenthrow，caughtitinthemeshes；astrokeofthetridentdespatchedit。SimilarlytheEpe？rathrowsitsweb，andwhenthereisnolongeranymovementunderthewhiteshroudthespiderdrawscloser；itsvenomousfangsperformtheofficeofthetrident。

(13/10。)

ThePrayingMantis，thatdemoniaccreaturewhichaloneamongtheinsectsturnsitsheadtogaze，“whosepiousairsconcealthemostatrocioushabits。”remainsonthewatch，motionless，forhoursatatime。Letagreatgrasshopperchancetocomeby：theMantisfollowsitwithitsglance，glidesbetweentheleaves，andsuddenlyrisesupbeforeit；“andthenassumesitsspectralpose，whichterrifiesandfascinatestheprey；thewing-coversopen，thewingsspringtotheirfullwidth，formingavastpyramidwhichdominatestheback；asortofswishingsoundisheard，likethehissofastartledadder；themurderousfore-limbsopentotheirfullextent，formingacrosswiththebody，andexhibitingtheaxillaeornamentedwitheyesvaguelyresemblingthoseofthepeacock’stail，partofthepanoplyofwar，concealeduponordinaryoccasions。Theseareonlyexhibitedwhenthecreaturemakesitselfterribleandsuperbforbattle。

Thenthetwograppling-hooksarethrown；thefangsstrike，thedoublescythesclosetogetherandholdthevictimasinavice。”(13/11。)

Thereisnopeace；nightfallsandthehorribleconflictcontinuesinthedarkness。Atrociousstruggles，mercilessduels，fillthesummernights。Onthestemsofthelonggrasses，besidethefurrows，theglow-worm“anaethetizesthesnail。”instillingintoititsvenom，whichstupefiesandproducessleep，inordertoimmobilizeitspreybeforedevouringit。

Havingchorusedtheirjoyallthedaylonginthesunshine，intheeveningtheCicadaefallasleepamongtheolivesandtheloftyplane-trees。Butsuddenlythereisasoundasofacryofanguish，shortandstrident；itisthedespairinglamentationofthecicada，surprisedinreposebythegreengrasshopper，thatardenthunterofthenight，whichleapsuponthecicada，seizesitbytheflank，anddevoursthecontentsofthestomach。Aftertheorgyofmusiccomesnightandassassination。

Suchisthegloomyepicwhichgoesforwardamongtheflowers，amidstthefoliage，undertheshadowyboughs，andonthedustyfallows。Sucharethesightsthatnatureoffersamidtheprofoundpeaceofthefields，behindthefloweringofthesuddenspring-tideandthesplendoursofthesummer。Thesemurders，theseassassinationsarecommittedinamuteandsilentworld，but“theearofthemind“seemstohear“Atiger’srageandcriesasofalionRoaringremotelythroughthispigmyworld。”

WasittothesethrillingrevelationsthatVictorHugointendedtoapplythesesowonderfullyappropriatelines？WasithewhobestoweduponFabre，accordingtoapoetictradition，thenameof“theHomeroftheinsects。”

whichfitshimsomarvellouslywell？

Itispossible，althoughFabrehimselfcancitenoevidencetosupportthesesuggestions；butletusrespectthelegend，simplybecauseitischarming，andbecauseitaddsanexactandpicturesquetouchtotheportraitofFabre。

Inthisdramaofamyriadscenes，inwhichthelittleactorsintheirrusticstageplayeachinhisturntheirpartsatthemercyofoccasionandthehazardofencounter，thehumblestcreaturesarepersonagesofimportance。

Likethehumancomedy，thisalsohasitscharactersprivilegedbybirth，clothedinpurple，dazzlingwithembroidery，“adornedwithloftyplumes。”

whostrutpretentiously；“itsidlerich。”coveredwithrobesofgoldofrustlingsplendour，whodisplaytheirdiamonds，theirtopazesandtheirsapphires；whogleamwithfireandshinelikemirrors，magnificentofmien；

buttheirbrainsare“dense，heavy，inept，withoutimagination，withoutingenuity，deprivedofallcommonsense，knowingnootheranxietythantodrinkinthesunlightattheheartofaroseortosleepofftheirdraughtsintheshadowofaleaf。

Thosewholabour，onthecontrary，donotattracttheeye，andthemostobscureareoftenthemostinteresting。Necessitouspovertyhaseducatedandformedthem，hasexcitedinthem“featsofinvention。”unsuspectedtalents，originalindustries；athousandcuriousandunexpectedcallings，andnosubjectofpoetryequalsininterestthedetailedhistoryofoneofthesetinycreatures，bywhichwepasswithoutobservingthem，amidthestones，thebrambles，andthedeadleaves。Itistheseaboveallthataddanoriginalandepicnotetothevastsymphonyoftheworld。

Butdeathalsohasitspoetry。Itsshadowydomainsholdlessonsnolessmagnificent，andthemostputridcarrionistoFabrea“tabernacle“inwhichadivinecomedyisenacted。

Theant，that“ardentfilibuster，comesfirst，andcommencestodissectitpiecemeal。”

TheNecrophori“exhalingtheodourofmusk，andbearingredpomponsattheendoftheirantennae。”are“transcendentalchemists。”

TheSarcophagi，orgreyfleshflies，“withredbloodshoteyes，andthestonygazeofaknacker“；theSaprinidae，“withbodiesofpolishedebonylikepearlsofjet“；theSilphaaplata，withlargeandsombrewing-casesinmourning；theshinyslow-trottingHorn-beetle；theDermestes，“powderedwithsnowbeneaththestomach“；theslenderStaphylinus；thewholefaunaofthecorpse，thewholehordeofartisansofdeath，“intoxicatingthemselveswithpurulence，probing，excavating，mangling，dissecting，transmuting，andstampingoutinfection。”

Fabregivesacuriousexpositionof“thatstrangeart“bywhichthegrubofthegreybot-fly，thevulgarmaggot，bymeansofasubtlepepsine，disintegratesandliquefiessolidmatter；anditisbecausethissingularsolventhasnoeffectupontheepidermisthatthefly，initswisdom，choosesbypreferencethemucousmembranes，thecorneroftheeye，theentranceofthenostrils，thebordersofthelips，thelivefleshofwounds，theretodeposititseggs。

Withwhatpenetrationthisoriginalmindhasanalysed“theoperationofthecrucibleinwhichallthingsarefusedthattheymayrecommence“andhasexpoundedthemarvellouslessonwhichisrevealedbydecompositionandputridity！

CHAPTER14。PARALLELLIVES。

WehavenowseenwhatentomologybecomesinthehandsoftheadmirableFabre。Thevastpoemofcreationhasneverhadamorefamiliarandluminousinterpreter，andyouwillnowherefindotherworklikehis。

HowfarheoutstripsBuffonandhisdescriptionsofanimals——sogeneral，sovague，soimpersonal——hisrecordsunreliableandhisentireeruditionofasecond-handquality！

ItiswithRéaumurthatwearefirstofalltemptedtocomparehim；andsomehavechosentoseeinhimonlyonewhohascontinuedRéaumur’swork。

InrealityhehaseagerlyreadRéaumur，althoughathearthedoesnotreallyenjoyhiswritings；hehasdrunkfromthisfruitfulsource，butheoweshimnopartofhisownrichharvest。

Buttherearemanyaffinitiesbetweenthem；theyhavemanytraitsincommon，despitethepointsofdifferencebetweenthem。

TheillustrioussonofRochellewasborn，likeFabre，withaloveofallnaturalthings，andbeforeattackingthemyriadproblemsofphysicsandnaturalhistory，whereinhewastoshinebysomanycuriousdiscoveries，healsohadpreparedhimselfbyaprofoundstudyofmathematics。

LuckierthanFabre，however，Réaumurenjoyednotonlytheadvantagesofbirth，butallthematerialconditionsnecessarytohisardentintellectualactivity。Fortuneoverwhelmedherfavouritewithgifts，andplayednosmallpartinhisglorybyenablinghim，fromanearlyage，toprofitbyhisleisureandtogiveafreereintohisrulingpassions。HewasnolessmodestthanthesageofSérignan；self-effacingbeforeothers，saysoneofhisbiographers，sothattheywerenevermadetofeelhissuperiority。

(14/1。)

InthemidstofthebeautifulandspaciousgardensattheendoftheFaubourgSaint-Antoine，wherehefinallymadehishome，healsocontrivedtocreateforhimselfaHarmasafterhisownheart。

Itwastherethatintheasyetvirgindomainofentomologyheunravelledtheriddleofthemarvellousrepublicofthebees，andwasabletoexpoundandinterpretalargenumberofthosetinyliveswhicheveryonehadhithertodespised，andwhichindeedtheycontinuedtodespiseuntilthedaysofFabre，oratleastregardedasabsolutelyunimportant。Hewasthefirsttoventuretosuspecttheirconnectionwithmuch“thatmostnearlyconcernsus。”ortopointout“allthesingularconclusions“whichmaybedrawntherefrom。(14/2。)

Howmanydetailshehasenshrinedinhisinteresting“Memoirs。”andhowmanyfactswemaygleanfromthisgreatmaster！He，likeFabre，hadthegiftofcharmingagreatnumberofhiscontemporaries。Tremblay，Bonnet，anddeGeerowedtheirvocationstoRéaumur，nottospeakofHuber，whosegeniusheinspired。

Aphysicistbeforeall，andaccustomedtodelicateandmeticulousthoughcomparativelysimpletasks，hehadadmirablyforeseentheextraordinarycomplicationoftheseinquiries；somuchsothat，withthemodestyofthetruescientistthathewas，heregardedhisownstudies，eventhemostsubstantial，asmereindications，intendedtopointthewaytothosethatfollowedhim。

Asmethodical，inshort，astheauthorofthe“Souvenirs。”thescrupulousRéaumurwrotenothingthathehimselfhadnotprovedorverifiedwiththegreatestcare；andwemaybesurethatallthatherecordsofhispersonalandimmediateobservationshehasreallyseenwithhisowneyes。

Inthewildernessoferrorhehad，likeFabre，aninfalliblecompassinhisextraordinarycommonsense；and，equallyskilledinextractingfromthefalsethelittleparticleoftruthwhichitoftencontains，hewasnolessfondoflisteningatthegateoflegends，oftracingthesourceoftraditions；rightlyconsideringthatbeforederidingthemasold-wives’

talesweshouldfirstprobeinalldirectionsintotheiroriginandfoundation。(14/3。)

Hewasalsotemptedtoexperiment，andhewellknewthatinsuchproblemsasthoseheattackedobservationaloneisoftenpowerlesstorevealanything。Itisenoughtorecallhereoneofthemostpromisingandunexpectedofthediscoverieswhichresultedfromhisexperiments。Réaumurwasthefirsttoconceivetheingeniousideaofretardingthehatchingofinsects’eggsbyexposingthemtocold，thusanticipatingtheapplicationofcoldtoanimallifeandthediscoveriesofCharlesTellier，whosemoreillustriousforerunnerhewas；atthesametimehediscoveredthesecretofprolonging，inasimilarfashion，thelarvalexistenceofchrysalidsduringaspaceoftimeinfinitelysuperiortothatoftheirnormalcycle；andwhatismore，hesucceededinmakingthemlivealethargiclifeforyearsandevenforalongtermofyears，thusrepeatingatwillthemiracleoftheSevenSleepers。(14/4。)

Toomuchoccupied，however，withthesmalleraspectofthings，hehadnottheartofforcingNaturetospeak，andintheprovinceofpsychicalaptitudeshewasbarelyabletoriseabovethefacts。

Ashewaspowerlesstoenterintorealcommunionwiththetinycreatureswhichheobserved，althoughhisobservationswereconductedwithreligiousadmiration；ashesawalwaysonlytheoutsideofthings，likeaphysicistratherthanapoetorpsychologist，hecontentedhimselfwithnotingthefunctioningoftheirorgans，theirmethodsofwork，theirproperties，andthechangeswhichtheyundergo；hedidnotinterprettheiractions。Themysteryofthelifewhichquiverswithinandaroundthemeludeshim。Thisiswhyhisbooksaresuchdryreading。Heislikeabrightgardenfullofrareplants；butitisamonotonousgarden，withoutlifeorart，withoutdistantvistasorwideperspectives。Hisworksaresomewhatdiffuseandfullofrepetitions；entiremonographs，almostwholevolumes，aredevotedtodescribingtheemergingofabutterfly；buttheyformpartofthelibraryofthecuriousloverofnature；theyareconsultedwithinterest，andwillalwaysbereferredto，butitcannotbesaidthattheyareread。

AfterRéaumur，accordingtothedictumofthegreatLatreille，entomologywasconfinedtoawearisomeandinterminablenomenclature，andifweexcepttheHubers，twounparalleledobservers，althoughlimitedandcircumscribed，theonlywriterwhofilledtheinterregnumbetweenRéaumurandFabrewasLéonDufour。

Inthequietlittletownwhitherhewenttosucceedhisfather，thismilitarysurgeon，turnedcountrydoctor，livedabusyandusefullife。

Whileoccupiedwithhishumblepatients，whomhepreferredtoregardmerelyasaninterestingclinic，andwhilekeepingthedailyrecordofhismedicalobservations，hefeltirresistiblydrawn“toferretinalltheholesandcornersofthesoil，toturnovereverystone，largeorsmall；toshrinkfromnofatigue，nodifficulty；toscalethehighestpeaks，thesteepestcliffs，tobraveathousanddangers，inordertodiscoveraninsectoraplant。(14/5。)

AdiscipleofLatreille，heshoneaboveallasanimpassioneddescriptivewriter。

Noonewasmoreskilledindeterminingaspecies，indissectingtheheadofaflyortheentrailsofagrub，andnospectacleintheworldwasforhimsofascinatingasthetriplelifeoftheinsect；thosemagicalmetamorphoses，whichhejustlyconsideredasoneofthemostastonishingphenomenaincreation。(14/6。)

HesawfurtherthanRéaumur，andburnedwiththesamefireasFabre，forhealsohadthemakingsofagreatpoet。Hiscuriosityhadassembledenormouscollections，butheconsidered，asFabreconsidered，thatcollectingis“onlythebarrencontemplationofavastossuarywhichspeaksonlytotheeyes，andnottothemindorimagination。”andthatthetruehistoryofinsectsshouldbethatoftheirhabits，theirindustries，theirbattles，theirloves，andtheirprivateandsociallife；thatonemust“searcheverywhere，ontheground，underthesoil，inthewaters，intheair，underthebarkoftrees，inthedepthofthewoods，inthesandsofthedesert，andevenonandinthebodiesofanimals。”

WasnotthisinrealitytheambitiousprogrammewhichFabrewaslatertoproposetohimselfwhenheenteredintohisHarmasandfoundedhislivinglaboratoryofentomology；healsohavingsethimselfashisexclusiveobjectthestudyof“theinsects，thehabitsoflife，thelabours，thestrugglesandthepropagationofthislittleworld，whichagricultureandphilosophyshouldcloselyconsider“？(14/7。)

Dufouralsohadadmirablygraspedtheplaceoftheinsectinthegeneralharmonyoftheuniverse，andheclearlyperceivedthatparasitism，thatimbricationofmutuallyusurpinglives，is“alawofequilibration，whoseobjectistosetalimittotheexcessivemultiplicationofindividualsofthesametype。”thattheparasitesarepredestinedtoanimprescriptiblemission，andthatthismysteriouslaw“defiesallexplanation。”

Ontheotherhand，hedidnotbecomeveryintimatewiththesetinypeoples；

hisattentionwasdispersedovertoomanypoints；perhapshewasfundamentallyincapableofconcentratinghimselfforalongperioduponacircumscribedobject；perhapshelackedthatfirstconditionofgenius，patience，soessentialtosuchresearches：althoughheenrichedsciencebyaninfinitemultitudeofpreciousfactsandhasrecordedaquantityofdetailsconcerningthehabitsofinsects，hedidnotsucceedinrepresentinganyoneoftheseinnumerablelittleminds。Hehadanintensefeelingfornature，buthewasnotabletointerpretit，andhisimmensevolumeofwork，scatteredthroughnearlythreehundredmonographs，remainsineffective。

Letuscomparewithhisworkthevastepicofthe“Souvenirs。”Webecomefamiliarwiththewholelifeoftheleastinsect，andallitsunendingrelatedcircumstances；weobtainsuddenglimpsesofinsightintoourownorganization，withitsabyssesanditslacunae，andalsointothoserichprovincesorfacultieswhichweareonlybeginningtosuspectinthedepthsofourunconsciousactivity。

Intheeveningtwilight，afterthevastandanteofthecicadaeishushed，atthehourwhentheshiningglow-worms“lighttheirbluefires。”andthe“paleItaliancricket，deliriouswithitsnocturnalmadness，chirrupsamongtherosemarythickets。”whileinthedistancesoundsthemelodioustinkleofthebell-ringerfrogs，replyingfromonehiding-placetoanother，theoldmastershowsusthatprofoundandmysteriousmagicwithwhichmatterisendowedbythefaintestglimmeroflife。

Heshowsustheintimateconnectionofthings，theuniversalharmonywhichsointimatelyalliesallcreatures；andheshowsusalsothateverywhereandallaroundus，inthesmallestobject，poetryexistslikeahiddenflame，ifonlyweknowhowtoseekit。

Andinrevealingsomanymarvellousenergiesineventhelowestcreatures，hehelpsustodivinetheinfinityofphenomenastillunguessed-at，whichthesubtletyoftheunknowableforcewhichthrillsthroughthewholeuniversehidesfromusunderthemosttrivialappearances。

Forhehasnottoldeverything；thisincommensurableregion，whichhadhithertoremainedunworked，isfarfrombeingexhausted。

Howmanyunknownandhiddenthingsarestilllefttobegleaned！Therewillbeaharvestforall。Rememberthat“eventhehumblestspecieseitherhasnohistory，orthelittlethathasbeenwrittenconcerningitcallsforseriousrevision“(14/8。)；thatasinglebush，suchasthebramble，sufficestorearmorethanfiftyspeciesofinsects，andthateachspecies，accordingtothejustobservationofRéaumur，“hasitshabits，itstricksofcunning，itscustoms，itsindustries，itsart，itsarchitecture，itsdifferentinstincts，anditsindividualgenius。”

Whatastupendousalphabettodecipher，ofwhichwehaveasyetonlycommencedtoreadthefirstfewletters！Whenweareabletoreaditalmostentirely，whenobserversaremorenumerousandhaveconcertedtheirefforts，mutuallyilluminating，completingandcorrectingoneanother，then，andthenonly，weshallsucceed，ifnotinresolvingsomeofthosehighproblemswhichhaveneverceasedtointerestmankind，atleastinseizingsomereflectedknowledgeofourselves，andinseeingalittlefartherintothekingdomofthemind。

CHAPTER15。THEEVENINGSATSéRIGNAN。

ButitwilldoubtlessbelongbeforeanewFabrewillresume，withthesameheroicardour，thelifeofsolitarylabour，variedonlybyafewaustererecreations。

Risingatsixo’clock，hewouldfirstofallpacethetilesofhiskitchen，breakfastinhand；soimperiousinhimwastheneedofaction，ifhismindwastoworksuccessfully，thatevenatthismomentofmorningmeditationhisbodymustalreadybeinmovement。Then，aftermanyturnsamongthebushesoftheenclosure，allirisedwithdropsofdewwhichwerealreadyevaporating，hewentstraighttohiscell：thatis，tothesilenceofhislaboratory。

There，inunsociablesilence，invisibletoall，heworkedhardandsteadilyuntilnoon；pursuinganobservationorcarryingoutsomeexperiment，orrecordingwhathesaworwhathehadseenthedaybefore，orre-draftinghisrecordsintheirfinalform。

Howmanywhohavecomehithertoknockuponthedoorinthesemorninghours，ortoringatthelittlegate，silentasthetomb，whichgivesupontheprivatepathfrequentedonlybyfoot-passengersontheirwaytothefields，haveundertakenafruitlessjourney！Butwithoutsuchdisciplinewouldithavebeenpossibletoaccomplishsuchataskashis？

Atlasthewouldleavehisworkroom；jaded，exhaustedbytheexcessiveintensityofhiswork，“facepaleandfeaturesdrawn。”(15/1。)

Nowheis“atleisure：thehalf-dayisover“(15/2。)；andhecansatisfyhisimmenseneednotofrepose，butofrelaxationanddistractioninlesssevereoccupations；forheisneveratanytimenoranywhereinactive；

incessantlymakingnotes，withlittlestumpsofpencilwhichhecarriesaboutinhispockets，andonthefirstscrapofpaperthatcomestohand，ofallthatpassesthroughhismind。Thoseeternalafternoons，whichusually，inthedepthoftheFrenchprovinces，provesodullandwearisome，seemshortenoughtohim。Nowhewillhaltbeforehisplants，nowstooptotheground，thebettertoobserveapassinginsect；alwaysinsearchofsomefreshsubjectofstudy；ornowbendingoverhismicroscope。(15/3。)

Thenheundertakes，forhislater-bornchildrenatSérignan，thedutieswhichheformerlyperformedfortheelderfamilyatOrange：heteachesthemhimself；hehasmuchtodowiththem，fortheirsakeandforhisownaswell，forheisjealousofpossessingthem，andheregretspartingwiththem。Theytoohavetheirtasksarrangedinadvance。

Theyarehisassistants，hisappointedcollaborators，whokeepandrelieveguard，undertaking，inhisabsence，someobservationalreadyinhand，sothatnodetailmaybelost，noincidentofthestorythatunrollsitselfsometimeswithexasperatingslownessbeneaththebell-coversofthelaboratoryoronsomebushinthegarden。Heinspiresthewholehouseholdwiththefireofhisowngenius，andallthoseabouthimarealmostasinterestedashe。

Athome，inthehouse，alwayswearinghiseternalfelthat，andabsorbedinmeditation，hespeakslittle，holdingthateverywordshouldhaveitsobject，andonlyemployingatermwhenhehastesteditsweightandmeaning。Silenceatmealtimesagainisarulethatnooneofhishouseholdwouldinfringe。Butheunbendshisbrowwhenhereceivesafriendathishospitabletable，wherebutlatelyhissmilingwifewouldsit，fulloflittleattentionsforhim。(15/4。)

Frugalinallrespects，hebarelytouchesthedishesbeforehim；avoidingallmeats，andsavinghimselfwhollyforthefruits；forisnotmannaturallyfrugivorous，byhisteeth，hisstomach，andhisbowels？Certaindishesrepelhim，forreasonsofsentimentratherthanthroughanyrealdisgust；suchaspatédefoiegras，whichremindshimtooforciblyofthesocruellytorturedgoose；suchcrueltyistoohighapricetopayforameregreasymouthful。(15/5。)Ontheotherhand，hedrinkswinewithpleasure，theharsh，rough“wineofthecountry“oftheplainsofSérignan。

Heisalsowellabletoappreciategoodthingsandappetizingcookery；nooneeverhadafinerpalate；butheishappiestinseeingothersappreciatethepleasuresofthetable。WitnessthatbreakfastworthyofGargantua，whichhehimselforganizedinhonourofhisguests，whomhehadinvitedtoanexcursionovertheVentouxAlp；whereheseemsexpresslytohavecommanded“thatallshouldcomeinshoals。”Whatatinklingofbottles，whatpilesofbread！Therearegreenolives“flowingwithbrine。”blackolives“seasonedwithoil。”sausagesofArles“withrosyflesh，marbledwithcubesoffatandwholepeppercorns。”legsofmuttonstuffedwithgarlic“todullthekeenedgeofhunger“；chickens“toamusethemolars“；

melonsofCavaillontoo，withwhitepulp，notforgettingthosewithorangepulp，andtocrownthefeastthoselittlecheeses，sodelightfullyflavoured，peculiartoMontVentoux，“spicedwithmountainherbs。”whichmeltinthemouth。(15/6。)

Buthisgreatestpleasureishispipe；abriar，whichinabsenceofmindheisalwaysallowingtogoout，andalwaysrelighting。

Respectfulofalltraditions，hehaskeptuptheobservanceofoldcustoms；

noChristmasEvehaseverbeenpassedundertheroofofhisHarmaswithouttheconsecratedmeatsuponthetable；theheartofcelery，thenougatofalmonds，thedishofsnails，andthesavoury-smellingturkey。Then，stuckintotheChristmasbread(15/7。)，thesprigsofholly，theverbouisset，thesacredbushwhoselittlestarryflowersandcoralberries，growingamidevergreenleaves，affirmtheeternalrebirthofindestructiblenature。

AtSérignanFabreislittleknownandlittleappreciated。Totellthetruth，folkregardhimaseccentric；theyhaveoftensurprisedhiminthecountrylyingonhisstomachinthemiddleofafield，orkneelingontheground，amagnifyingglassinhand，observingaflyorsomeoneofthoseinsignificantcreaturesinwhichnosanepersonwoulddeigntobeinterested。

Howshouldtheyknowhim，sincehenevergoesintothevillage？WhenhedidonceventurethithertovisithisfriendCharrasse，theschoolmaster，hisappearancewasaneventofwhicheveryonehadsomethingtosay，sogreatlydiditastonishtheinhabitants。(15/8。)

Yetheneverhesitatestoplacehisknowledgeattheserviceofall，andwelcomeswithcourtesytherarepilgrimsinwhomagenuineregardisvisible，althoughheisalwayscarefulnevertomakethemfeelhisownsuperiority；butheveryquicklydismisses，sometimesatriflehastily，thosewhoaremerelyindiscreetorimportunate；pedanticandignorantpersonshejudgesinstantaneouslywithhispiercingeyes；withsuchpeoplehecannotemergefromhisslightlygloomyreserve；heshutshimselfuplikethesnail，which，annoyedbysomedispleasingobject，retiresintoitsshell，andremainssilentintheirpresence。

Professorscometoconsulthim：askinghisadviceastotheirprogrammesofinstruction，orbegginghimtoresolvesomedifficultproblemordecidesomeespeciallyvexedquestion；andhisexplanationsaresosimple，soclear，sologicalthattheyareastonishedattheirownlackofcomprehensionandtheirembarrassment。(15/9。)

Buttherearefewwhoventurewithinthewallsofthatenclosure，whichseemstoshutoutallthetemptationsoftheouterworld；theonlyintimatevisitorstotheHarmasarethevillageschoolmaster——firstLaurent，thenLouisCharrasse(15/10。)，andlaterJullian——andablindman，Marius。

Thislatterlosthissightattheageoftwenty。Then，toearnaliving，hebegantomakeandrepairchairs，andinhismisfortune，althoughblindandextremelypoor，hekeptacalmandcontentedmind。

FabrehaddiscoveredthesageandtheblindmanonhisarrivalatSérignan，andalsoFavier(15/11。)，“thatothernative，whosejovialspiritwassoprompttorespond，andwhohelpedtodiguptheHarmas；tosetuptheplanksandtilesofthelittlekitchen-garden；arudetask，sincethisscrapofuncultivatedgroundwasthenbutaterribledesertofpebbles。”ToFavierfellthecareoftheflowers，forthenewownerwasagreatloverofflowers。Pottedplants，sometimesofrarespecies，werealready，asto-day，crowdedinrowsupontheterracebeforethehouse，whereallthesummertheyformedasortofvestibuleintheopenair，oneithersideoftheentrance；andtheseFabreneverceasedtowatchoverwithconstantandmeticulouscare。Bothspokethesamelanguage，andthewordstheyexchangedwerebornofalikephilosophy；forFavieralsolovednatureinhisownway，andatheartwasanartist；andwhen，aftertheday’swork，sitting“onthehighstoneofthekitchenhearth，whereroundlogsofgreenoakwereblazing。”hewouldevoke，inhispicturesqueandfigurativelanguage，thememoriesofanoldcampaigner，hecharmedallthehouseholdandtheeveningseemedtopasswithstrangerapidity。

Whenthispreciousservantandbooncompanionhaddisappeared，aftertwoyearsofdigging，sowing，weeding，andhoeing，allwasready；theframewascompletedandtheworkcouldbecommenced。ItwasthenthatMariusbecamethemaster’sappointedcollaborator，anditishewhonowconstructshisapparatus，hisexperimentalcages；stuffshisbirds，helpstoransackthesoil，andshadeshimwithanumbrellawhilehewatchesundertheburningsun。Mariuscannotsee，butsointimateishiscommunionwithhismaster，sokeenhisenthusiasmforallthatFabredoes，thathefollowsinhismind’seye，andasthoughhecouldactuallyseethem，allthedoingsatwhichheassists，andwhoseinwardreflectionlightsuphiswonderingcountenance。

Mariuswasnotonlyrichinfeelingandthegiftofinnervision；hehadalsoamarvellouslycorrectear。Hewasamemberofthe“Fanfare“ofSérignan，inwhichheplayedthebigdrum，andtherewasnoonelikehimforkeepingperfecttimeandforbringingouttheclashofthecymbals。

Charrassewasnolessferventadisciple；heworshippedscienceandallbeautifulthings；andhecouldevenconceiveanoblepassionforhisexhaustingtradeofschool-teaching。

LikeMarius，heate“abitterbread“；andFabrewouldgetonwiththemallthebetterinthatthey，likehimself，hadlivedadifficultlife。“Manislikethemedlar。”helikedtotellthem；“heisworthnothinguntilhehasripenedalongtimeintheattic，onthestraw。”

“L’hommeestcommelanèfle，iln’estrienquivailleS’iln’am？rilongtemps，augrenier，surlapaille。”

Thesehumblecompanionsaffordedhimthesimpleconversationwhichhelikessowell；sonatural，andsofullofsympathyandcommonsense。TheycustomarilyspentThursdayandSundayafternoonsattheHarmas；butthesebeloveddisciplesmightcallatanyhour；themasteralwayswelcomedthem，eveninthemorning，evenwhenhewasentirelyabsorbedinhisworkandcouldnotbearanyoneabouthim。Theywerehiscircle，hisacademy；hewouldreadthemthelastchapterwritteninthemorning；hesharedhislatestdiscoverieswiththem；hedidnotfeartoaskadviceoftheir“fertileignorance。”(15/12。)

Charrassewasa“Félibre。”versedinallthesecretsoftheProven？alidiom，ofwhichheknewallthepopularterms，thetypicalexpressionsandturnsofspeech；andFabrelovedtoconsulthim，toreadsomecharmingverseswhichhehadjustdiscovered，ortorecitesomedelightfulrusticpoemwithwhichhehadjustbeeninspired；forinsuchoccupationshefoundoneofhisfavouriterelaxations，givingfreeventtohisfancy，aloosereintothepoetthatdwellswithinhim。Thesepoemsthepietyofhisbrotherhaspreservedinthecollectionentitled“Oubreto。”Itisatsuchamomentthatoneshouldseehisblackeyes，fulloffire；hispowerofmimicryandexpression，hisimpassionedfeatures，litupbyinspiration，trulyidealized，almosttransfigured，areatsuchtimesathingtoberemembered。

Sometimes，again，intheshadowoftheplanes，onsummerafternoons，whenthecigaleswerefallingsilent；orinthewinter，beforetheblazingfireplace，inthatdining-roomonthegroundfloorinwhichhewelcomedhisvisitors；whenoutofdoorsthemistralwasroaringandraging，ortherainclatteringonthepanes，thelittlecirclewasenlargedbycertainnew-

comers，hisnephews，nieces，afewintimates，ofwhom，alittlelater，I

myselfwasoftenone。Atsuchtimeshishumourandimaginationweregivenfullplay，anditwastrulyararepleasuretositthere，sippingaglassofmulledwine，duringthosedelightfulandearnesthours；totastethecharmofhissmilingphilosophy，hispicturesqueconversation，fullofexactideas，allthemoreprofoundinthattheywerefoundedonexperienceandpointedoradornedbyproverbs，adages，andanecdotes。Thankstothedailyreadingofthe“Temps。”whichoneofhisfriendsregularlysendshim，Fabreisintouchwithalltheideasoftheday，andexpresseshisjudgmentofthem；forexample，hedoesnotconcealhisscepticismwithregardtocertainmoderninventions，suchastheaeroplane，whosenoveltyratherdisturbshismind，andwhosepracticalbearingseemstohimtobeonthewholesomewhatlimited。

ThuseventhemostrecentincidentsfindtheirwayintothesolitudeoftheHarmasandhelptosustaintheconversation。

“ThefirsttimeweresumeourSérignanevenings。”hewrotetohisnephewonthemorrowofoneoftheseintimategatherings，“wewillhavealittlechataboutyourJustinian，whomtherecentdramaof“Théodora“hasjustmadethefashion。Doyouknowthehistoryofthatterriblehussyandherstupidhusband？Perhapsnotentirely；itisatreatIamkeepingforyou。”

(15/13。)

TheonlysubjectwhichishardlyevermentionedduringtheseeveningsatSérignanispolitics，althoughFabre，strangeasitmayseem，wasoneyearappointedtositonthemunicipalcouncil。

Thesonofpeasants，whohasemergedfromthepeopleyethasalwaysremainedapeasant，hastookeenasenseofinjusticenottobeademocrat；

andhowmanyyoungmenhashenottaughttoemancipatethemselvesbyknowledge？ButaboveallheisproudofbeingaFrenchman；hismind，solucid，sological，whichhasnevergoneabroadinsearchofitsowninspirations，andhasneverbeeninfluencedbyanybutthoseoldFrenchmasters，Fran？oisDufourandRéaumur，andtheoldFrenchclassics，hasalwaysfeltaninstinctiverepugnance，whichithasneverbeenabletoovercome，forallthoseideaswhichsomearesurreptitiouslyseekingtoputforwardinourmidstinfavourofsomeforeigntrade-mark。

AlthoughhisvisittothecourtofNapoleonIIIlefthimwitharathersympatheticideaoftheEmperor，whosegentle，dreamyappearancehestilllikestorecall，hedetestedtheEmpireandthe“brigand’strick“whichestablishedit。

OnthedayoftheproclamationoftheRepublichewasseeninthestreetsofAvignonincompanywithsomeofhispupils。Hewasagreeablysurprisedattheturneventshadtaken，anddelightedbytheunforeseenresultofthewar。

Aspiritasproudandindependentashiswasnaturallytheenemyofanyspeciesofservitude。Statesocialismoftheequalitarianandcommunistickindwastohimnolesshorrifying。WasnotNatureathand，alwaystoremindhimofhereternallessons？

“Equality，amagnificentpoliticallabel，butscarcelymore！Whereisit，thisequality？Inoursocietiesshallwefindeventwopersonsexactlyequalinvigour，health，intelligence，capacityforwork，foresight，andsomanyothergiftswhicharethegreatfactorsofprosperity？……Asinglenotedoesnotmakeaharmony：wemusthavedissimilarnotes；discordseven，which，bytheirharshness，givevaluetotheconcords；humansocietiesareharmoniousonlythus，bytheconcourseofdissimilarities。”(15/14。)

AndwhatapuerileUtopia，whatadisappointingillusionisthatofcommunism！Letusseeunderwhatconditions，atthepriceofwhatsacrifices，naturehereandthererealizesit。

Amongthebees“twentythousandrenouncematernityanddevotethemselvestocelibacytoraisetheprodigiousfamilyofasinglemother。”

Amongtheants，thewasps，thetermites“thousandsandthousandsremainincompleteandbecomehumbleauxiliariesofafewwhoaresexuallygifted。”

WouldyoubychancereducemantothelifeoftheProcessionalcaterpillars，contenttonibblethepine-needlesamongwhichtheylive，andwhich，satisfiedtomarchcontinuallyalongthesametracks，findwithinreachanabundant，easy，andidlesubsistence？Allhavethesamesize，thesamestrength，thesameaptitudes。Noinitiative。“Whatonedoestheothersdo，withequalzeal，neitherbetternorworse。”Ontheotherhand，thereis“nosex，nolove。”Andwhatwouldbeasocietyinwhichtherewasnoworkdoneforpleasureandfromwhichloveandthefamilywerebanished？Whatwouldbetheeffectuponitsprogress，itswelfare，itshappiness？Wouldnotallthatmakethecharmoflifedisappearforgood？Howeverimperfectourpresentsocietymaybe，howevermysteriousitsdestinies，itisnotinsocialismthatFabreforeseestheperfectionoffuturehumanity，fortohimthetruehumanitydoesnotasyetexist；itismakingitsway，itisslowlyprogressing，andinthisevolutionhewisheswithallhishearttobelieve。

Modernhumanityisasyetonlyashapelessgrimacingcaricature，anditslifeislikeaplaywrittenbymadmenandplayedbydrunkenactors；

accordingtothoseprofoundwordsofthegreatpoet，withwhichhismindisinsomesortimbued；whichheoftenrepeats，andwhichhehastranscribedattheheadofoneofhislastrecordsasanepigraphandaconstantreminder。

Andyouwhogroanoverthedistressingproblemofdepopulation，lendaneartothelessonoftheCopris，“whichtreblesitscustomarybatchofoffspringintimesofabundance，andintimesofdearthimitatestheartisanofthecitywhohasonlyjustenoughtoliveon，orthebourgeois，whosenumerouswantsaremoreandmorecostlytosatisfy，limitingthenumberofitsoffspringlesttheyshouldgoinwant，oftenreducingthenumberofitschildrentoasingleone。”(15/15。)

Insteadofrunningaftersomanyfalseappearancesandfalsepleasures，learntoreturntosimplertastes，tomorerusticmanners；freeyourselvesfromamassoffactitiousneeds；steepyourselfanewintheantiquesobriety，whosedesiresweresager；returntothefields，thesourceofabundance，andtheearth，theeternalfoster-mother！

Andinthisappealtoreturntonature，whichperhapssincethetimeofRousseauhasneverbeenwordedsoeloquently，Fabrehasinviewifnotthestrong，thepredestined，whoarecalledelsewhere，andwhoareactuatedbythesenseofgreattaskstobeperformed，atleastallthoseofruralorigin，allthoseforwhomtheloveofthefamily，thedailytask，andapeacefulheartarereallythegreatthingsoflife，thethingsthatcount，thethingsthatsuffice。

Hehimself，althoughhewasoneofthestrong，didnotcaretobreakanyofthetiesthatboundhimtohisorigins。LiketheOsmia，“whichretainsatenaciousmemoryofitshome。”thebelovedvillageofhischildhoodhasneverbeeneffacedfromhismemory，andforalongtimethedesiretoleavehisbonestherehauntedhim。Hismindoftenreturnedtoit；hethoughtthatthere，betterthananywhereelse，hewouldfindpeace；thatitwouldpleasehimtowanderamongtherocks，thetrees，thestoneswhichhehadsoloved，intheolddays，andthatallthesethingswouldrecognizehimtoo。

Oneday，however，whenIwasbegginghimtomakeuphismindonthispoint——

itwasoneofthosepeacefuleveningswhicharetroubledundertheplane-

treesonlybythetinklingofthefountain——heconfidedtomethathisbelovedSérignanhadatlast，inhissecretpreferences，obliteratedtheoldlonging。Asheadvancedinlife，infact，althoughheneverforgothisrudenatalcountryside，hefeltthatnewlinksweredailybindinghimmorecloselytothoseheathsandmountainsonwhichhishearthadbeensooftenthrilledwiththeintensejoyofdiscovery，andthatitwasindeedinthissoil，tohimsofullofdelight，amiditsbeautifulhymenopteraandscarabaei，thathewouldwishtobeburied。

Fabreisbynomeansthemisanthropethatsomehavechosentothinkhim。Hedelightsinthesocietyofwomen，andknowshowtowelcomethemgracefully；

andmorethananyoneheissensitivetothepleasantandstimulatingimpressionsproducedbytheconversationofcultivatedpeople。

Heisnolessfondofthearts，providedhefindsinthemasincereinterpretationoflife。Thisiswhythetheatre，withitsfalsevalues，itstinselandaffectation，hastohimseemedagrossdeformationofthereality，eversincethedaywhenatAjaccioheattendedaperformanceof“Norma。”inwhichthemoonwasrepresentedbyaroundtransparentdisc，litfrombehindbyalanternhangingattheendofastring，whoseoscillationrevealedbyturnsfirsttheluminaryandthenthetransparency。Thiswasenoughtodisgusthimforeverwiththetheatreandtheopera，whosemotionlesschoruses，contrastingwiththesometimesfranticmovementofthemusic，lefthimwithamemoryofaninsaneandillogicalperformance。

Nevertheless，headoredmusic，ofwhichheknewsomething，havinglearnedit，ashelearnedhisdrawing，withoutamaster；buthepreferredthenaivesongsofthecountry，orthemelodyofaflute；tothemostscholarlyconcert-music。(15/16。)Intheintimacyofthemodestchamberwhichservesasthefamilysalon，withitsfewshabbyandold-fashionedpiecesoffurniture，heplaysonanindifferentharmoniumlittleairsofhisowncomposition，thesubjectsofwhichwereatfirstsuggestedbyhisownpoetry。LikeRollinat，Fabrerightlyconsidersthatmusicshouldcomplete，accentuate，andreleasethatwhichpoetryhasperforceleftincompleteorindefinite。Thisiswhyhemakesthebiselaughandsingandroar；whyheimitatestheorgan-tonesofthewindinthepines，andseekstoreproducesomeoftheinnumerablerhythmsofnature；thefrenzyofthelizard，thewrigglingofthestickle-back，thejumpinggaitofthefrog，theshrillhumofthemosquito，thecomplaintofthecricket，themovingoftheScarabaei，andtheflightoftheLibellulae。

Toobusybydaytofindtimeformuchreading，itwasatnightthathewouldshuthimselfup。Retiringearlytohislittlechamber，withbarewallsandbaretilefloor，andawindowopeningtothegarden，hewouldlieonhislowbed，withcurtainsofgreenserge，andwouldoftenreadfarintothenight。

Thisphilosopher，towhosebooksthephilosophersofthefuturewillresortfornewtheoriesandoriginalideas，refusestohaveanycommercewithotherphilosophers，disdainingtheirsystemsandpreferringtogostraighttothefacts。EvenwhenhetookupDarwin’s“OriginofSpecies“hedidlittlemorethanopenthebook；sowearisomeanduninteresting，hetoldme，didhefindthereadingofit。Ontheotherhand，heisfulloftheancientphilosophers，andashedidnotreadthemveryextensivelyinhisyouthandmiddleage，hehasreturnedtothemfinallywithloveandpredilectionfor“thesegoodoldbooks。”Unlikemanythinkersoftheday，heispersuadedthatwecannotwithimpunitydispensewithclassicstudies；andherightlyconsidersthatscienceandthehumanitiesarenotrivals，butallies。AboveallhehasaparticularaffectionforVirgil；onemaysaythatheissteepedinhispoetry；andheknowsLaFontainebyheart。Thestyleofthelatteriscuriouslylikehisown，andFabreownshimselfashisdisciple；

certainlyLaFontaine’sisthemostactiveinfluencewhichhisworkreveals。HehasaprofoundacquaintancewithRabelais，whowasalwayshis“friend“andwhoconstantlycropsupinhisconversationandhischanceremarks。

Afterthesehisintellectualfoster-parentshavebeenCourrier，Toussenel，ofwhomheispassionatelyfond，andRousseau，ofwhomhecaresforlittlebuthis“Lettressurlabotanique。”fullofsuchfreshimpressions，inwhichwefeelnottheliterarymanbutthe“craftsman“；healsocherishesMichelet；sofullofintuition，althoughheneverhandledactualthingsandknewnothingofthepracticeofthesciences；notlearned，butoverflowingwithlove；hismagicpen，hispowersofevocation，andhisdeftbrushworkdelightFabre，despitethepovertyandinsufficiencyofhisfundamentalfacts(15/17。)；sometimesMichelethadbeenhisinspiration。Thetwodoreallyresembleoneanother；MicheletwasnolessfittedthanFabretoplaytheconfidanttoNature，andhisheartwasofthesamemettle。

SinceIhavespokenofhisfavourites，letmealsospeakofhisdislikes；

Racine，whomhecannotbear；Molière，whomhedoesnotreallylike；Buffon，whomhefranklydetestsforhistoofluentprose，hisostentatiousstyle，andhisvainrhetoric。Theonlynaturalistwhomhemightreallyhavedelightedin，hadhepossessedhisworksandbeenabletoreadthematleisure，isAudubon，theenthusiasticpainterofthebirdsofAmerica。Inhimhefeltthepresenceofamindandatemperalmostidenticalwithhisown。

CHAPTER16。TWILIGHT。

Howhehaslabouredinthissolitude！Forheconsidersthatheisstillfarfromhavingcompletedhistask。Hefeelsmoreandmorethathehasscarcelydonemorethansketchthehistoryofthissingularandalmostunknownworld。“ThemoreIgoforward。”hewrotetohisbrotherin1903，“themoreclearlyIseethatIhavestruckmypickintoaninexhaustiblevein，wellworthyofbeingexploited。”(16/1。)

Whatstudieshehasundertaken，whatobservationshehascarriedout，“almostatthesametime，thesamemoment！“Hislaboratoryiscrowdedwiththesesubjectsofexperiments。“AsthoughIhadalongfuturebeforeme“——

hewasthenjusteightyyearsold——“Icontinueindefatigablymyresearchesintothelivesoftheselittlecreatures。”(16/2。)

Workinsolitudeseemstohim，moreandmore，theonlylifepossible，andhecannotevenimagineanyother。

“Theouterworldscarcelytemptsmeatall；surroundedbymylittlefamily，itisenoughformetogointothewoodsfromtimetotime，tolistentotheflutingoftheblackbirds。Theveryideaofthetowndisgustsme。

Henceforthitwouldbeimpossibleformetoliveinthelittlecageofacitizen。HereIam，runwild，andIshallbesotilltheend。”(16/3。)

Forhimworkhasbecomemorethaneveranorganicfunction，thetruecorollaryoflife。“Awaywithrepose！Forhimwhowouldspendhislifeproperlythereisnothinglikework——solongasthemachinewilloperate。”

Isthisnotthegreatlawforallcreaturessolongaslifelasts？

Whyshouldthemanwhohasmadeafortune，whohasneitherchildrennorrelations，andwhomaydietomorrow，continuetoworkforhimselfalone，toemployhisdaysandhisenergiesinuselesslabourswhichwillprofitneitherhimselfnorhiskind？

AskoftheHalictus，which，nolongercapableofbecomingamother，makesherselfguardianofacity，inorderstilltolabourwithinthemeasureofhermeans。

AskoftheOsmia，theMegachile，theAnthidium，which“withnomaternalaim，forthesolejoyoflabour，strivetoexpendtheirforcesintheaccomplishmentoftheirvaintasks，untiltheforcesoflifefail。”

Askofthebee，whichinactionleavespassiveandmelancholysothatshepresentlydiesofweariness；oftheChalicodoma，soeageraworkerthatshewill“letherselfbecrushedunderthefeetofthepasser-byratherthanabandonhertask。”

Askitofallnature，whichknowsneitherhaltnorrepose，andwho，accordingtotheprofoundsayingofGoethe“haspronouncedhermaledictionuponallthatretardsorsuspendsherprogress。”

Letusthenlabour，menandbeasts，“sothatwemaysleepinpeace；grubsandcaterpillarsinthattorporwhichpreparesthemforthetransformationintomothsandbutterflies，andourselvesinthesupremeslumberwhichdissolveslifeinordertorenewit。”

Letuswork，inordertonourishwithinourselvesthatdivineintuitionthankstowhichweleaveouroriginalimpressuponnature；letuswork，inordertobringourhumblecontributiontothegeneralharmonyofthings，byourpainfulandmeritoriouslabour；inorderthatwemayassociateourselveswithGod，shareinHiscreation，andembellishandadorntheearthandfillitwithwonders。(16/4。)

Forwardthen！alwayserect，evenamidthetombs，toforgetourgriefs。

Fabrefindsnobetterconsolationtoofferhisbrother，whohaslostalmostinsuccessionhiswifeandhiseldestdaughter：

“DonottakeitillifIhavenotcondoledwithyouonthesubjectofyourrecentlosses。Triedsooftenbythebitternessofdomesticgrief，Iknowtoowelltheinanityofsuchconsolationstooffertheliketomyfriends。

Timealonedoesalittlecicatrizesuchwounds；and，letusadd，work。Letuskeeponourfeetandatworkaslongasweareable。Iknownobettertonic。”(16/5。)

Andthisexhortationtowork，whichrecurssoofteninthefirstlettersofhisyouth，wastobethelastwordofthelastvolumewhichsosplendidlyterminatestheincomparableseriesofhis“Souvenirs“：“Laboremus。”……

Agehaskilledneitherhiscouragenorhisenergies，andhecontinuestoworkwiththesamezealatnearlyninetyyearsofage，andwithasmucheagernessasthoughheweredestinedtoliveforever。

Althoughhisphysicalforcesarefailinghim，althoughhislimbsfalter，hisbrainremainsintact，andisgivingusitslastfruitinhisstudiesontheCabbagecaterpillarandtheGlow-worm，whichmarkasuddenrejuvenescenceofthoughtonhispart，andthecommencementofanewcycleofstudies，whichpromisetobeofthegreatestoriginality。

Tohimtheanimalworldhasalwaysbeenfullofdizzysurprises，andtheinsectsledhim“intoanewandbarelysuspectedregion，whichisALMOST

ABSURD。”(16/6。)

Theglow-worms，motionlessontheirtwigsofthyme，lighttheirlampsofanevening，inthecoolofthebeautifulsummernights。Whatdothesefiressignify？Howexplainthemysteryofthisphosphorescence？Whythisslowcombustion，“thisspeciesofrespiration，moreactivethanintheordinarystate“？andwhatistheoxidizablesubstance“whichgivesthiswhiteandgentleluminosity“？IsitaflameoflovelikethatwhichlightstheAgaricoftheolive-tree“tocelebrateitsnuptialsandtheemissionofitsspores“？Butwhatreasoncanthelarvahaveforilluminatingitself？Whyistheegg，alreadyenclosedinthesecrecyoftheovaries，alreadyluminous？

“ThesoftlightoftheAgarichasconfoundedourideasofoptics；itdoesnotrefract，itdoesnotformanimagewhenpassedthroughalens，itdoesnotaffectordinaryphotographicplates。”(16/7。)

Buthereareothermiracles：

“Anotherfungus，theClathrix，withnotraceofphosphorescence，affectsphotographicplatesalmostasquicklyaswouldarayofsunlight。TheClathrixtenebrosadoeswhattheAgaricusoleariushasnopowertodo。”

(16/8。)

AndifthebeaconoftheGlow-wormrecallsthelightoftheAgaric，theClathrixremindsusofanotherinsect，theGreaterPeacockmoth。

Intheobscurityofadarkchamberthissplendidmothemitsphantasmalradiations，perhapsintermittentandreservedfortheseasonofnuptials，signalsinvisibletous，andperceptibleonlytothosechildrenofthenight，whomayhavefoundthismeanstocommunicateonewithanother，tocalloneanotherinthedarkness，andtospeakwithoneanother。(16/9。)

Sucharetheinterestingsubjectswhichonlyyesterdaywereoccupyingthisgreatworker；theoccultproperties，theradiantenergiesoforganicmatter；ofphosphorescence，oflight，thelivingsymbolsofthegreatuniversalEros。

ButembarrassmentlongagosucceededtheephemeralprosperitywhichmarkedthefirstyearsofhisinstallationatSérignan，andthatperiodofplentywasfollowedbyaperiodofdifficulty，almostofindigence。Hisclass-

books，whichhadsucceededmarvellously，andfromwhichtheroyaltieshadquicklyattainedtonearly640poundssterling，whichwastheaveragefigurefornearlytenyears，werethennolongerinvogue。Alreadythetimeshadchanged。Francewasinthecrisisoftheanti-clericalfever。

Fabremadefrequentallusionsinhisbooksofaspiritualnature，andmanyprimaryinspectorscouldnotforgivewhattheyregardedasablemish。

Wemustalsomentionthekeencompetitioncausedbytheappearanceofsimilarbooks，usuallycounterfeit，andthemoreharmfulforthat；andastheiradoptiondependedentirelyonthecapriceofcommissionsorthechoiceofinterestedpersons，thoseofFabreweregraduallyceasingtosell。

Itwasfrom1894especiallythattheirpopularitydeclinedsorapidly：

“DespiteallmyeffortshereIammoreanxiousthaneveraboutthefuture。”

hewrotetohispublisheronthe27thofJanuary，1899；“twomoreofmybooksareabouttodisappear，apreludetototalshipwreck……Ibegintodespair。”(16/10。)

Hewasnotthemantohavesavedmuchmoney；numerouschargeswerealwaysimposingthemselvesonhim，andhisfirstwife，carelessofexpenditure，hadbeensomewhatextravagant。

Whilehispositionasteacherdeterioratedhis“Souvenirs“broughthimlittlemorethananominalprofit；fortomostpeoplehewasstillcompletelyunknownamongthepotentateswhomonopolizetheattentionofthecrowd。

“WorksuchasaRéaumurmightbeproudofwillleavemeabeggar，thatgoeswithoutsaying，butatleastIshallhaveleftmygrainofsand。Iwouldlongagohavegivenupindespair，hadInot，togivemecourage，thecontinualresearchaftertruthinthelittleworldwhosehistorianIhavebecome。Iamhoardingideas，andImakeshifttoliveasIcan。”(16/11。)

Yethisreputationhadlongagocrossedthefrontiersofhiscountry。HehadbeenacorrespondingmemberoftheInstituteofFrancesince1887，andaPetitd’Ormoyprizeman。(16/12。)Hewasamemberofthemostcelebratedforeignacademies，andtheentomologicalsocietiesofthechiefcapitalsofEurope；buthisfamehadnotpassedthewallsoftheseacademiesandthenarrowboundariesofthelittleworldofprofessionalbiologistsandphilosophers。

Eveninthesecircles，wherehewasalmostexclusivelyreadandappreciated，hewaslittleknown，andalthoughhewasmuchadmired，althoughhewasreadilygivencreditforhisadmirabletalentandexceptionalknowledge，hisreaderswerefarfromrealizingtherealpowersofthisworldoflifewhichhehascalledintobeing。Hisbooksareofthosewhosefertilizingvirtuesremainlonghidden，toshineonlyatadistance，whenmuchfrothywriting，thathasmadeasuddennoiseinitstime，hasfallenintooblivion。

Everytwoorthreeyears，aftermuchfondpolishing，hewouldopenthedoortoyetanothervolumewhichwasreadytogoforth；addingastonishingchaptersofthehistoryofinsects，wonderfulfragmentsofanimalpsychology，butalwaysobtainingonlythesamecircumscribedsuccess；thatis，excitingnopubliccuriosity，andremainingunperceivedinthemidstofgeneralindifference。

Hisbooksinterestedonlyaselectclass，who，itistrue，welcomedthemeagerly，andreadthemwithwonderanddelight。Iftheyexcitedthecuriosityofafewphilosophers，ofscientistsandinquirers，andhereandtheredeterminedavocation，stillmore，perhaps，didtheycharmwritersandpoets；theyconsoledRostandattheendofaseriousillness，theirvirtue，insomesorthealing，procuringhimbothmoralreposeandadelightfulrelaxation。(16/13。)Forallthese，wemaysay，hehasbeenoneofthosetenortwelveauthorswhomonewouldwishtotakewithoneintoalongexile，weretheyreducedtochoosingnomorebeforeleavingcivilizationforever。

Yetwemustadmitthatthisworkhascertainundeniablefaults。Thetitle，inthefirstplace，hasnothingalluringaboutit，andiscalculatedtodeterratherthantoattractpurchasers，byevokingvagueideasofrepulsivestudies，tooarduousortoospecial。

Peoplehavenoideaofthewonderfulfairylandconcealedbythisunpopulartitle；noconceptionthattheserecordsareintended，notmerelyforthescientistpureandsimple，butinrealityforeveryone。