Theyhavebeeninformedbytheirsenseofsmell，atagreatdistanceallaround，whereasImyselfcanavoidthestenchbytakingafewstepsback。Comparedwiththeirscent，mineiscontemptible；butstill，intheircaseaswellasmine，thereisreallyherewhatourlanguagecallsasmell。
IcandobetterstillwiththeflowerofthedragonarumArumdracunculus，soremarkableforitsshapeandforitsunequalledstench。Imagineawide，lanceolateblade，ofaclaretypurple，halfayardlongandrolledbelowintoanovoidpouchthesizeofahen’segg。Throughtheopeningofthiswalletrisesacentralcolumnspringingfromthebottom，along，bright-greenclub，encircledatitsbasebytwobracelets，oneofovaries，theotherofstamens。Such，brieflydescribed，istheflower，orrathertheinflorescence，ofthedragonarum。
Fortwodaysitexhalesafrightfulstenchofcarrion，worsethantheproximityofadeadDogwouldyield。Duringthehottestpartoftheday，withawindblowing，itisloathsome，unbearable。Letusbravetheinfectedatmosphereandgouptoit；weshallbeholdacurioussight。
Informedbythefoulodour，whichspreadsfarandwide，variousinsectscomeflyingalong，suchinsectsasmakesausage-meatofsmallcorpses——Toads，Adders，Lizards，Hedgehogs，Moles，Field-mice——whichthehusbandmanhitswithhisspadeandflingsawaydisembowelledonthefoot-path。Theyswoopdownuponthegreatleaf，which，withitslividpurple，lookslikeastripofmeatgonebad；theycaperabout，intoxicatedbythesmellofcorpsewhichtheylove；theyrolldowntheslopeandareswallowedupinthepurse。Afterafewhoursofbrightsunshine，thereceptacleisfull。
Letuslookinside，throughthenarrowopening。Noelsewherecouldyouseesuchacrowd。Itisamadwhirlofbacksandbellies，ofwing-casesandlegs，swarming，rollingoverandover，amidthesnapofinterlockedjoints，risingandfalling，floatingandsinking，seethingandbubblingwithoutend。Itisadrunkenrevel，anepidemicofdeliriumtremens。
Some，fewasyet，emergingfromthemass，climbtotheopeningbymeansofthecentralpoleorthewallsoftheenclosure。Willtheytakewingandmaketheirescape？Notthey！Standingonthebrinkofthechasm，almostfree，theydropbackintothewhirlpool，inafreshboutofintoxication。
Thebaitisirresistible。Notoneofthemwillquittheassemblyuntiltheevening，orperhapsnextmorning，whentheheadyfumeshaveevaporated。Thenthemassbecomesdisentangled；andtheinsectsextricatethemselvesfromoneanother’sembracesandslowly，asitwereregretfully，leavetheplaceandflyaway。Atthebottomofthisdevil’spurseremainsaheapofdeadanddying，ofseveredlimbsanddisjointedwing-cases，theinevitableresultofthefrenziedorgy。Soon，Wood-lice，EarwigsandAntswillarriveanddevourthedeceased。
Whatweretheydoingthere？Weretheytheprisonersoftheflower？Haditconverteditselfintoatrapwhichallowedthemtoenter，butpreventedthemfromescaping，bymeansofafenceofconverginghairs？No，theywerenotprisoners；theyhadfulllibertytogoaway，asisshownbythefinalexodus，whichiseffectedwithoutimpediment。Deceivedbyafalseodour，weretheydoingtheirbesttoinstaltheireggs，astheywouldhavedoneunderacorpse？Notthateither。Thereisnotraceofanattemptategg-layinginthedragon’spurse。Theycame，enticedbythesmellofadeadbody，theirsupremedelight；theyweredrunkwithcorpse；andtheyspunroundfranticallyinanundertakers’carnival。
Whenthebacchanaldanceisatitsheight，Itrytocountthenumberofthearrivals。Iripupthefloralpouchandpouritscontentsintoaflask。Absolutelytipsythoughtheybe，manywouldescapeduringthecensus，whichIwishtotakeaccurately。Afewdropsofcarbonbisulphidedeprivethecrowdofmotion。Thecountingthenshowsthattherewereoverfourhundred。SuchwasthelivingbillowwhichIsawsurgingjustnowinthedragon’spurse。
Thethrongconsistsentirelyoftwofamilies，DermestesandSaprini，[note14][note]bothofwhomareverybusyinspringturningderelictcorpsestoaccount。Hereisacompletelistofthevisitorstoasingleflower，withthenumberofrepresentativesofeachspecies:DermestesFrischii；KUGEL。，120；D。undulatus，BRAHM，90；D。pardalis，SCHOENH。，1；Saprinussubnitidus，DEMARS。，160；S。maculatus，ROSS。，4；S。detersus，ILLIG。，15；S。semipunctatus，DEMARS。，12；S。æ；neus，FABR。，2；S。speculifer，LATR。，2。Total:406。
Anotherdetaildeservesattentionjustasmuchasthisenormousfigure；
andthatisthecompleteabsenceofanumberofothergenerawhichareaspassionatelyfondofsmallcorpsesasaretheDermestesandSaprini。
Mycharnel-housesofMolesneverfailtobevisitedbytheSilphæ；
andNecrophori:Silphasinuata，FABR。；S。
rugosa，LIN。；S。obscura，LIN。；Necrophorusvestigator，HERSCH。Thereekofthedragonarumleavesthemallindifferent。NoneofthemisrepresentedinthetenflowerswhichIexamine。
NorareanyDiptera，thoseotherdevoteesofcorruption。SeveralFlies，somegreyorbluey，othersametallicgreen，comeup，itistrue，settleontheedgeoftheflowerandevenfindtheirwayintothefetidwallet；
buttheyarealmostimmediatelyundeceivedandflyaway。OnlytheDermestesandSaprinistaybehind。Why？
MyfriendBull，asdecentaDogaseverlived，hadthisamongmanyothereccentricities:ifhefoundinthedustoftheroadthedriedupcorpseofaMoleflattenedundertheheelsofthepassers-by，mummifiedbytheheatofthesun，hewouldrevelinrollinghimselfoveritfromthetipofhisnosetotheendofhistail；hewouldrubhimselfinitoverandoveragain，shakenwithnervousspasms，turningfirstononeside，thenontheother。Itwashissachetofmusk，hisflaskofeau-de-Cologne。Whenscentedtohisliking，hewouldgetup，shakehimselfandtrotoff，pleasedasPunchwithhispomade。Letusnotabusehimand，aboveall，letusnotdiscussthematter。Therearetastesofallkindsinthisworld。
Whyshouldnotsomeoftheinsectsthatdoteonthesmellofthedeadhavesimilarhabits？DermestesandSaprinicometothedragonarum；alldaylongtheyswarminthrongs，althoughfreetogoaway；manyofthemdieintheriotoftheorgy。Itisnorichprovenderthatkeepsthem，fortheflowergivesthemnothingtoeat；itisnotaquestionoflayingeggs，fortheytakegoodcarenottosettletheirgrubsinthatfamine-strickenspot。Whataretheydoinghere，thefrenziedones？Apparentlyintoxicatingthemselveswithfetidness，justasBulldidonthecarcassofamole。
Andthisintoxicationofsmellattractsthemfromeverypartaround，fromveryfarperhaps，onecannottell。EvensotheNecrophori，inquestofanestablishmentfortheiryoung，hastenfromthefieldstomyputrefyingMoles。Bothareinformedbyapotentsmell，whichoffendsournostrilssixtyyardsaway，butwhichtravelsaheadanddelightsthematdistanceswhereourownpowerofscentceases。
Thehydnocystis，theBolboceras’treat，hasnoneoftheseviolentemanations，capableofbeingdiffusedthroughspace；itisdevoidofsmell，atleasttous。Theinsectthathuntsforitdoesnotcomefromadistance；itinhabitstheveryplaceswherethecryptogamlies。Howeverfainttheeffluviaoftheundergroundmorsel，thepryingepicure，equippedforthepurpose，haseveryfacilityforperceivingthem:heoperatescloseby，onthesurfaceofthesoil。TheDog’scaseisthesame:hegoesalongsearching，withhisnosetotheground。Then，too，therealtruffle，theessentialobjectofhisquest，possessesamostpronouncedodour。
ButwhatarewetosayoftheGreatPeacockandtheBandedMonk，makingtheirwaytothefemalebornincaptivity？Theyhastenfromtheendsofthehorizon。Whatdotheyperceiveatthatdistance？Isitreallyanodour，asourphysiologyunderstandstheword？Icannotbringmyselftobelieveit。
TheDogsmellsthetrufflebysniffingtheearth，quiteclosetothetuber；hefindshismasteratgreatdistancesbyconsultingthescentofhisfootprints。Butisheabletodiscoverthetrufflehundredsofyardsaway，milesaway？Canhejoinhismasterinthecompleteabsenceofatrail？
Certainlynot。Forallhisfinenessofscent，theDogisincapableofsuchafeat，whichisperformed，howeverbytheMoth，whoisputoffneitherbydistancenorbythelackofanytracesoutofdoorsofthefemalehatchedonmytable。
Itisarecognizedfactthatsmell，ordinarysmell，thesmellthataffectsournostrils，consistsofmoleculesemanatingfromthescentedbody。Theodorousmatterdissolvesandisdiffusedthroughouttheairbycommunicatingtotheairitsaroma，evenassugardissolvesandisdiffusedinwaterbycommunicatingtothewateritssweetness。Smellandtastetoucheachotheratsomepoints；inbothcasesthereisacontactbetweenthematerialparticlesthatgivetheimpressionandthesensitivepapillæ；thatreceiveit。
Nothingcanbesimplerorclearerthanthatthedragonarumelaboratesanintenselystrongessencewithwhichtheairisimpregnatedandinfectedallaround。ThustheDermestesandSaprini，thosepassionateloversofcarrionsmells，areinformedbymoleculardiffusion。
Inthesameway，theputridToadgivesoutanddisseminatesthestinkingatomsthataretheNecrophorus’delight。
ButwhatismateriallyemittedbythefemaleBombyxorGreatPeacock？
Nothing，accordingtooursenseofsmell。Andthisnothingissupposed，whenthemalescongregate，tosaturateanimmensecircle，severalmilesinradius，withitsmolecules！Whatthehorriblestenchofthedragonarumisunabletodotheabsenceofodourisbelievedtoaccomplish！Howeverdivisiblemattermaybe，themindrefusestoacceptsuchconclusions。Itwouldbetantamounttoreddeningalakewithanatomofcarmine，tofillingimmensitywithnothing。
Anotherargument。Whenmystudyissaturatedbeforehandwithpungentodourswhichoughttoovercomeanddestroythemostdelicateeffluvia，themaleMothsarrivewithouttheleastsignofembarrassment。
Aloudnoisekillsthefaintnoteandpreventsitfrombeingheard；abrightlighteclipsesafeeblegleam……Thesearewavesofthesamenature。Buttheroarofthundercannotcausetheleastjetoflighttopale；norcanthedazzlinggloryofthesunstifletheleastsound。Beingofdifferentnatures，lightandsounddonotinfluenceeachother。
Theexperimentwiththelavender-oil，naphthalineandtherestwouldthereforeseemtoprovethatodourproceedsfromtwosources。Foremissionsubstituteundulation；andtheproblemoftheGreatPeacockisexplained。
Withoutlosinganyofitssubstance，aluminouspointshakestheetherwithitsvibrationsandfillsacircleofindefinitewidthwithlight。
ThismustalmostexpresstheworkingofthemotherBombyx’tell-taledischarge。
Itdoesnotemitmolecules:itvibrates；itsetsinmotionwavescapableofspreadingtodistancesincompatiblewitharealdiffusionofmatter。
Initsentirety，smellwouldthusseemtohavetwodomains:thatoftheparticlesdissolvedintheairandthatoftheetherealwaves。Thefirstaloneisknowntous。Itbelongsalsototheinsect。ItisthiswhichinformstheSaprinusofthedragonarum’sfetidityandtheSilphaandNecrophorusofthestenchoftheMole。
Thesecond，whichisfarsuperiorinitsrangethroughspace，escapesusaltogether，becausewelackthenecessarysensoryequipment。TheGreatPeacockandtheBandedMonkknowitatthetimeofthenuptialrejoicings。
Andmanyothersmustshareitinvariousdegrees，accordingtotheexigenciesoftheirmodeoflife。
Likelight，odourhasitsX-rays。Shouldscienceoneday，instructedbytheinsect，endowuswitharadiographofsmells，thisartificialnosewillopenouttousaworldofmarvels。
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[note1]:TheAbbé；LazaroSpallanzani1729-99，anearlyexperimenterinnaturalhistoryandauthorofanumberofimportantworksonthecirculationoftheblood，ondigestion，ongenerationandonmicroscopicanimals。Cf。TheHuntingWasps:chap。xix——Translator’sNote。
[note2]:Cf。TheMason-Bees，passim——Translator’sNote。
[note3]:RabassoistheProvenç；alfortruffle。Hencethewordrabassiertodenoteatruffle-hunter——Author’sNote。
[note4]:ForsomeaccountofFabre’sdrawingsofthefungiofhisdistrict，cf。TheLifeoftheFly，byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chap。xvii——Translator’sNote。
[note5]:OneoftheDung-beetles。Cf。TheLifeandLoveoftheInsect:chap。v——Translator’sNote。
[note6]:Cf。TheLifeoftheFly:chap。xviii——Translator’sNote。
[note7]:Cf。TheLifeandLoveoftheInsect:chap。ix——Translator’sNote。
[note8]:ADung-beetle。Cf。TheLifeandLoveoftheInsect:chap。x——Translator’sNote。
[note9]:7。8inches——Translator’sNote。
[note10]:Sincewritingtheabovelines，IhavefoundhimeatingoneofthetrueTuberaceæ；，TuberRequienii，TUL。，thesizeofacherry——Author’sNote。
[note11]:Carrion-beetlesproper——Translator’sNote。
[note12]:Bacon-beetles——Translator’sNote。
[note13]:Burying-beetiesproper——Translator’sNote。
[note14]:AspeciesofsmallcarnivorousBeetles——Translator’sNote。14，TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916XIV:THECABBAGE-CATERPILLAR
THEcabbageofourmodernkitchen-gardensisasemi-artificialplant，theproduceofouragriculturalingenuityquiteasmuchasoftheniggardlygiftsofnature。Spontaneousvegetationsupplieduswiththelong-stalked，scanty-leaved，ill-smellingwilding，asfound，accordingtothebotanists，ontheoceancliffs。Hehadneedofarareinspirationwhofirstshowedfaithinthisrustic-clownandproposedtoimproveitinhisgarden-patch。
Progressingbyinfinitesimaldegrees，culturewroughtmiracles。Itbeganbypersuadingthewildcabbagetodiscarditswretchedleaves，beatenbythesea-winds，andtoreplacethembyothers，ampleandfleshyandclosefitting。
Thegentlecabbagesubmittedwithoutprotest。Itdepriveditselfofthejoysoflightbyarrangingitsleavesinalarge，compacthead，whiteandtender。Inourday，amongthesuccessorsofthosefirsttinyhearts，aresomethat，byvirtueoftheirmassivebulk，haveearnedthegloriousnameofchouquintal，aswhoshouldsay，ahundredweightofcabbage。Theyarerealmonumentsofgreenstuff。
Later，manthoughtofobtainingagenerousdishwiththethousandlittlespraysoftheinflorescence。Thecabbageconsented。Underthecoverofthecentralleaves，itgorgedwithfooditssheavesofblossom，itsflower-stalks，itsbranchesandworkedthelotintoafleshyconglomeration。Thisisthecauliflower，thebroccoli。
Differentlyentreated，theplant，economizinginthecentreofitsshoot，setawholefamilyofdoss-wrappedcabbagesladder-wiseonatallstem。
Amultitudeofdwarfleaf-budstooktheplaceofthecolossalhead。ThisistheBrusselssprout。
Nextcomestheturnofthestump，anunprofitable，almostwoodenthing，whichseemednevertohaveanyotherpurposethantoactasasupportfortheplant。Butthetricksofgardenersarecapableofeverything，somuchsothatthestalkyieldstothegrower’ssuggestionsandbecomesfleshyandswellsintoanellipsesimilartotheturnip，ofwhichitpossessesallthemeritsofcorpulence，flavouranddelicacy；
onlythestrangeproductservesasabaseforafewsparseleaves，thelastprotestsofarealstemthatrefusestoloseitsattributesentirely。
Thisisthecole-rape。
Ifthestemallowsitselftobeallured，whynottheroot？Itdoesinfact，yieldtotheblandishmentsofagriculture:itdilatesitspivotintoaflatturnip，whichhalfemergesfromtheground。Thisistherutabaga，orswede，theturnip-cabbageofournortherndistricts。
Incomparablydocileunderournursing，thecabbagehasgivenitsallforournourishmentandthatofourcattle:itsleaves，itsflowers，itsbuds，itsstalk，itsroot；allthatitnowwantsistocombinetheornamentalwiththeuseful，tosmartenitself，toadornourflower-bedsandcutagoodfigureonadrawing-roomtable。Ithasdonethistoperfection，notwithitsflowers，which，intheirmodesty，continueintractible，butwithitscurlyandvariegatedleaves，whichhavetheundulatinggraceofOstrich-feathersandtherichcolouringofamixedbouquet。Nonewhobeholdsitinthismagnificencewillrecognizethenearrelationofthevulgar"greens"thatformthebasisofourcabbage-soup。
Thecabbage，firstinorderofdateinourkitchen-gardens，washeldinhighesteembyclassicantiquity，nextafterthebeanand，later，thepea；butitgoesmuchfartherback，sofarindeedthatnomemoriesofitsacquisitionremain。Historypaysbutlittleattentiontothesedetails:
itcelebratesthebattle-fieldswhereonwemeetourdeath，itscornstospeakoftheploughedfieldswherebywethrive；itknowsthenamesofthekings’bastards，itcannottellustheoriginofwheat。Thatisthewayofhumanfolly。
Thissilencerespectingthepreciousplantsthatserveasfoodismostregrettable。Thecabbageinparticular，thevenerablecabbage，thatdenizenofthemostancientgarden-plots，wouldhavehadextremelyinterestingthingstoteachus。Itisatreasureinitself，butatreasuretwiceexploited，firstbymanandnextbythecaterpillarofthePieris，thecommonLargeWhiteButterflywhomweallknowPierisbrassicæ；，LIN。。
Thiscaterpillarfeedsindiscriminatelyontheleavesofallvarietiesofcabbage，howeverdissimilarinappearance:henibbleswiththesameappetiteredcabbageandbroccoli，curlygreensandsavoy，swedesandturnip-tops，inshort，allthatouringenuity，lavishoftimeandpatience，hasbeenabletoobtainfromtheoriginalplantsincethemostdistantages。
Butwhatdidthecaterpillareatbeforeourcabbagessuppliedhimwithcopiousprovender？ObviouslythePierisdidnotwaitfortheadventofmanandhishorticulturalworksinordertotakepartinthejoysoflife。
Shelivedwithoutusandwouldhavecontinuedtolivewithoutus。AButterfly’sexistenceisnotsubjecttoours，butrightfullyindependentofouraid。
Beforethewhite-heart，thecauliflower，thesavoyandtheotherswereinvented，thePieris’caterpillarcertainlydidnotlackfood:hebrowsedthewildcabbageofthecliffs，theparentofallthelatter-daywealth；
but，asthisplantisnotwidelydistributedandis，inanycase，limitedtocertainmaritimeregions，thewelfareoftheButterfly，whetheronplainorhill，demandedamoreluxuriantandmorecommonplantforpasturage。
ThisplantwasapparentlyoneoftheCruciferæ；，moreorlessseasonedwithsulphurettedessence，likethecabbages。Letusexperimentontheselines。
IrearthePieris’caterpillarsfromtheeggupwardsonthewall-rocketDiplotaxistenuifolia，DEC。，whichimbibesstrongspicesalongtheedgeofthepathsandatthefootofthewalls。
Pennedinalarge，wire-gauzebell-cage，theyacceptthisprovenderwithoutdemur；theynibbleitwiththesameappetiteasifitwerecabbage；andtheyendbyproducingchrysalidsandButterflies。Thechangeoffarecausesnottheleasttrouble。
Iamequallysuccessfulwithothercrucifersofalessmarkedflavour:
whitemustardSinapisincana，LIN。，dyer’swoadIsatistinctoria，LIN。，wildradishRaphanusraphanistrum，LIN。，whitlowpepperwortLepidiumdraba，LIN。，hedge-mustardSisymbriumofficinale，SCOP。。Ontheotherhand，theleavesofthelettuce，thebean，thepea，thecorn-saladareobstinatelyrefused。
Letusbecontentwithwhatwehaveseen:thefarehasbeensufficientlyvariedtoshowusthattheCabbage-caterpillarfeedsexclusivelyonalargenumberofcrucifers，perhapsevenonall。
Astheseexperimentsaremadeintheenclosureofabell-cage，onemightimaginethatcaptivityimpelstheflocktofeed，intheabsenceofbetterthings，onwhatitwouldrefusewereitfreetohuntforitself。
Havingnaughtelsewithintheirreach，thestarvelingsconsumeanyandallCruciferæ；，withoutdistinctionofspecies。Canthingssometimesbethesameintheopenfields，whereIplaynoneofmytricks？CanthefamilyoftheWhiteButterflybesettledonothercrucifersthanthecabbage？
Istartaquestalongthepathsnearthegardensandendbyfindingonwildradishandwhitemustardcoloniesascrowdedandprosperousasthoseestablishedoncabbage。
Now，exceptwhenthemetamorphosisisathand，thecaterpillaroftheWhiteButterflynevertravels:hedoesallhisgrowingontheidenticalplantwhereonhesawthelight。Thecaterpillarsobservedonthewildradish，aswellasotherhouseholds，arenot，therefore，emigrantswhohavecomeasamatteroffancyfromsomecabbage-patchintheneighbourhood:theyhavehatchedontheveryleaveswhereIfindthem。HenceIarriveatthisconclusion:theWhiteButterfly，whoisfitfulinherflight，choosescabbagefirst，todabhereggsupon，anddifferentCruciferæ；next，varyinggreatlyinappearance。
HowdoesthePierismanagetoknowherwayaboutherbotanicaldomain？
WehaveseentheLarini，[note1]thoseexplorersoffleshyreceptacleswithanartichokeflavour，astonishuswiththeirknowledgeofthefloraofthethistletribe；buttheirloremight，atapinch，beexplainedbythemethodfollowedatthemomentofhousingtheegg。Withtheirrostrum，theypreparenichesanddigoutbasinsinthereceptacleexploitedandconsequentlytheytastethethingalittlebeforeentrustingtheireggstoit。Ontheotherhand，theButterfly，anectar-drinker，makesnottheleastenquiryintothesavouryqualitiesoftheleafage；atmost，dippingherproboscisintotheflowers，sheabstractsamouthfulofsyrup。Thismeansofinvestigation，moreover，wouldbeofnousetoher，fortheplantselectedfortheestablishingofherfamilyis，forthemostpart，notyetinflower。Themotherflitsforamomentaroundtheplant；andthatswiftexaminationisenough:theemissionofeggstakesplaceiftheprovenderbefoundsuitable。
Thebotanist，torecognizeacrucifer，requirestheindicationsprovidedbytheflower。HerethePierissurpassesus。Shedoesnotconsulttheseed-vessel，toseeifitbelongorshort，noryetthepetals，fourinnumberandarrangedinacross，becausetheplant，asarule，isnotinflower；andstillsherecognizesoff-handwhatsuitshercaterpillars，inspiteofprofounddifferencesthatwouldembarrassanybutabotanicalexpert。
UnlessthePierishasaninnatepowerofdiscriminationtoguideher，itisimpossibletounderstandthegreatextentofhervegetablerealm。
SheneedsforherfamilyCruciferæ；，nothingbutCruciferæ；；
andsheknowsthisgroupofplantstoperfection。Ihavebeenanenthusiasticbotanistforhalfacenturyandmore。Nevertheless，todiscoverifthisorthatplant，newtome，isorisnotoneoftheCruciferæ；，intheabsenceofflowersandfruitsIshouldhavemorefaithintheButterfly’sstatementsthaninallthelearnedrecordsofthebooks。Wherescienceisapttomakemistakes，instinctisinfallible。
ThePierishastwofamiliesayear:oneinAprilandMay，theotherinSeptember。Thecabbage-patchesarerenewedinthosesamemonths。TheButterfly’scalendartallieswiththegardener’s:
themomentthatprovisionsareinsight，consumersareforthcomingforthefeast。
Theeggsareabrightorange-yellowanddonotlackprettinesswhenexaminedunderthelens。Theyarebluntedcones，rangedsidebysideontheirroundbaseandadornedwith-finely-scoredlongitudinalridges。Theyarecollectedinslabs，sometimesontheuppersurface，whentheleafthatservesasasupportisspreadwide，sometimesonthelowersurfacewhentheleafispressedtothenextones。Theirnumbervariesconsiderably。
Slabsofacoupleofhundredareprettyfrequent；isolatedeggs，oreggscollectedinsmallgroups，are，onthecontrary，rare。Themother’soutputisaffectedbythedegreeofquietnessatthemomentoflaying。
Theoutercircumferenceofthegroupisirregularlyformed，buttheinsidepresentsacertainorder。Theeggsareherearrangedinstraightrowsbackingagainstoneanotherinsuchawaythateacheggfindsadoublesupportintheprecedingrow。Thisalternation，withoutbeingofanirreproachableprecision，givesafairlystableequilibriumtothewhole。
Toseethemotheratherlayingisnoeasymatter:whenexaminedtooclosely，thePierisdecampsatonce。TheStructureofthework，however，revealstheorderoftheoperationsprettyclearly。Theovipositorswingsslowlyfirstinthisdirection，theninthat，byturns；andaneweggislodgedineachspacebetweentwoadjoiningeggsinthepreviousrow。Theextentoftheoscillationdeterminesthelengthoftherow，whichislongerorshorteraccordingtothelayer’sfancy。
Thehatchingtakesplaceinaboutaweek。Itisalmostsimultaneousforthewholemass:assoonasonecaterpillarcomesoutofitsegg，theotherscomeoutalso，asthoughthenatalimpulsewerecommunicatedfromonetotheother。Inthesameway，inthenestofthePrayingMantis，awarningseemstobespreadabroad，arousingeveryoneofthepopulation。
Itisawavepropagatedinalldirectionsfromthepointfirststruck。
Theeggdoesnotopenbymeansofadehiscencesimilartothatofthevegetable-podswhoseseedshaveattainedmaturity；itisthenew-borngrubitselfthatcontrivesanexitwaybygnawingaholeinitsenclosure。Inthismanner，itobtainsnearthetopoftheconeasymmetricaldormer-window，clean-edged，withnojoinsnorunevennessofanykind，showingthatthispartofthewallhasbeennibbledawayandswallowed。Butforthisbreach，whichisjustwideenoughforthedeliverance，theeggremainsintact，standingfirmlyonitsbase。Itisnowthatthelensisbestabletotakeinitselegantstructure。Whatitseesisabagmadeofultra-finegold-beater’s-skin，translucent，stiffandwhite，retainingthecompleteformoftheoriginalegg。Ascoreofstreakedandknottedlinesrunfromthetoptothebase。Itisthewizard’spointedcap，themitrewiththegroovescarvedintojewelledchaplets。Allsaid，theCabbage-caterpillar’sbirth-casketisanexquisiteworkofart。
Thehatchingofthelotisfinishedinacoupleofhoursandtheswarmingfamilymustersonthelayerofswaddling-clothes，stillinthesameposition。
Foralongtime，beforedescendingtothefosteringleaf，itlingersonthiskindofhot-bed，isevenverybusythere。Busywithwhat？Itisbrowsingastrangekindofgrass，thehandsomemitresthatremainstandingonend。
Slowlyandmethodically，fromtoptobase，thenew-borngrubsnibblethewalletswhencetheyhavejustemerged。Byto-morrow，nothingisleftofthesebutapatternofrounddots，thebasesofthevanishedsacks。
Ashisfirstmouthfuls，therefore，theCabbage-caterpillareatsthemembranouswrapperofhisegg。Thisisaregulationdiet，forIhaveneverseenoneofthelittlegrubsallowitselftobetemptedbytheadjacentgreenstuffbeforefinishingtheritualrepastwhereatskinbottlesfurnishforththefeast。ItisthefirsttimethatIhaveseenalarvamakeamealofthesackinwhichitwasborn。Ofwhatusecanthissingularfarebetothebuddingcaterpillar？Isuspectasfollows:theleavesofthecabbagearewaxedandslipperysurfacesandnearlyalwaysslantconsiderably。Tograzeonthemwithoutriskingafall，whichwouldbefatalinearliestchildhood，ishardlypossibleunlesswithmooringsthataffordasteadysupport。Whatisneededisbitsofsilkstretchedalongtheroadasfastasprogressismade，somethingforthelegstogrip，somethingtoprovideagoodanchorageevenwhenthegrubisupsidedown。Thesilk-tubes，wherethosemooringsaremanufactured，mustbeveryscantilysuppliedinatiny，new-bornanimal；anditisexpedientthattheybefilledwithoutdelaywiththeaidofaspecialformofnourishmentThenwhatshallthenatureofthefirstfoodbe？Vegetablematter，slowtoelaborateandniggardlyinitsyield，doesnotfulfilthedesiredconditionsatallwell，fortimepressesandwemusttrustourselvessafelytotheslipperyleaf。Ananimaldietwouldbepreferable:itiseasiertodigestandundergoeschemicalchangesinashortertime。Thewrapperoftheeggisofahornynature，assilkitselfis。Itwillnottakelongtotransformtheoneintotheother。Thegrubthereforetacklestheremainsofitseggandturnsitintosilktocarrywithitonitsfirstjourneys。
Ifmysurmiseiswell-founded，thereisreasontobelievethat，withaviewtospeedilyfillingthesilk-glandstowhichtheylooktosupplythemwithropes，othercaterpillarsbeginningtheirexistenceonsmoothandsteeply-slantingleavesalsotakeastheirfirstmouthfulthemembranoussackwhichisallthatremainsoftheegg。
Thewholeoftheplatformofbirth-sackswhichwasthefirstcamping-groundoftheWhiteButterfly’sfamilyisrazedtotheground；naughtremainsbuttheroundmarksoftheindividualpiecesthatcomposedit。Thestructureofpileshasdisappeared；theprintsleftbythepilesremain。Thelittlecaterpillarsarenowontheleveloftheleafwhichshallhenceforthfeedthem。Theyareapaleorange-yellow，withasprinklingofwhitebristles。Theheadisashinyblackandremarkablypowerful；italreadygivessignsofthecominggluttony。Thelittleanimalmeasuresscarcelytwomillimetres[note2]inlength。
Thetroopbeginsitssteadying-workassoonasitcomesintocontactwithitspasturage，thegreencabbage-leaf。Here，there，initsimmediateneighbourhood，eachgrubemitsfromitsspinning-glandsshortcablessoslenderthatittakesanattentivelenstocatchaglimpseofthem。Thisisenoughtoensuretheequilibriumofthealmostimponderableatom。
Thevegetarianmealnowbegins。Thegrub’slengthpromptlyincreasesfromtwomillimetrestofour。Soon，amoulttakesplacewhichaltersitscostume:itsskinbecomesspeckled，onapale-yellowground，withanumberofblackdotsintermingledwithwhitebristles。Threeorfourdaysofrestarenecessaryafterthefatigueofbreakingcover。
Whenthisisover，thehunger-fitstartsthatwillmakearuinofthecabbagewithinafewweeks。
Whatanappetite！Whatastomach，workingcontinuouslydayandnight！
Itisadevouringlaboratory，throughwhichthefoodstuffsmerelypass，transformedatonce。Iserveuptomycagedherdabunchofleavespickedfromamongthebiggest:twohourslater，nothingremainsbutthethickmidribs；andeventheseareattackedwhenthereisanydelayinrenewingthevictuals。Atthisrate，a"hundredweight-cabbage，"doledoutleafbyleaf，wouldnotlastmymenagerieaweek。
Thegluttonousanimal，therefore，whenitswarmsandmultiplies，isascourge。Howarewetoprotectourgardensagainstit？InthedaysofPliny，thegreatLatinnaturalist，astakewassetupinthemiddleofthecabbage-bedtobepreserved；andonthisstakewasfixedaHorse’sskullbleachedinthesun:aMare’sskullwasconsideredevenbetter。Thissortofbogeywassupposedtowardoffthedevouringbrood。
Myconfidenceinthispreservativeisbutanindifferentone；myreasonformentioningitisthatitremindsmeofacustomstillobservedinourowndays，atleastinmypartofthecountry。Nothingissolong-livedasabsurdity。Traditionhasretained，inasimplifiedform，theancientdefensiveapparatusofwhichPlinyspeaks。FortheHorse’sskullourpeoplehavesubstitutedaneggshellonthetopofaswitchstuckamongthecabbages。Itiseasiertoarrange；also，itisquiteasuseful，thatistosay，ithasnoeffectwhatever。
Everything，eventhenonsensical，iscapableofexplanationwithalittlecredulity。WhenIquestionthepeasants，ourneighbours，theytellmethattheeffectoftheeggshellisassimpleascanbe:theButterflies，attractedbythewhiteness，comeandlaytheireggsonit。Broiledbythesunandlackingallnourishmentonthatthanklesssupport，thelittlecaterpillarsdie；andthatmakessomanyfewer。
Iinsist；Iaskthemiftheyhaveeverseenslabsofeggsormassesofyoungcaterpillarsonthosewhiteshells。
"Never，"theyreply，withonevoice。
"Well，then？"
"Itwasdoneintheolddaysandsowegoondoing。it:that’sallweknow；andthat’senoughforus。"
Ileaveitatthat，persuadedthatthememoryoftheHorse’sskullusedonceuponatimeisineradicable，likealltherusticabsurditiesimplantedbytheages。
Wehave，whenallissaid，butonemeansofprotection，whichistowatchandinspectthecabbage-leavesassiduouslyandcrushtheslabsofeggsbetweenourfingerandthumbandthecaterpillarswithourfeet。Nothingissoeffectiveasthismethod，whichmakesgreatdemandsonone’stimeandvigilance。Whatpainstoobtainanunspoiltcabbage！Andwhatadebtdowenotowetothosehumblescrapersofthesoil，thoseraggedheroeswhoprovideuswiththewherewithaltolive！
Toeatanddigest，toaccumulatereserveswhencetheButterflywillissue:thatisthecaterpillar’soneandonlybusiness。TheCabbage-caterpillarperformsitwithinsatiablegluttony。Incessantlyitbrowses，incessantlydigests:thesupremefelicityofananimalwhichislittlemorethananintestine。Thereisneveradistraction，unlessitbecertainseesawmovementswhichareparticularlycuriouswhenseveralcaterpillarsaregrazingsidebyside，abreast。Then，atintervals，alltheheadsintherowarebrisklyliftedandasbrisklylowered，timeaftertime，withanautomaticprecisionworthyofaPrussiandrill-ground。Canitbetheirmethodofintimidatinganalwayspossibleaggressor？Canitbeamanifestationofgaiety，whenthewantonsunwarmstheirfullpaunches？Whethersignorfearorsignofbliss，thisistheonlyexercisethatthegluttonsallowthemselvesuntiltheproperdegreeofplumpnessisattained。
Afteramonth’sgrazing，thevoraciousappetiteofmycagedherdisassuaged。Thecaterpillarsclimbthetrellisworkineverydirection，walkaboutanyhow，withtheirfore-partraisedandsearchingspace。Hereandthere，astheypass，theswayingherdputforthathread。Theywanderrestlessly，anxiouslytotravelafar。TheexodusnowpreventedbythetrellisedenclosureIoncesawunderexcellentconditions。Attheadventofthecoldweather，Ihadplacedafewcabbage-stalks，coveredwithcaterpillars，inasmallgreenhouse。Thosewhosawthecommonkitchenvegetablesumptuouslylodgedunderglass，inthecompanyofthepelargoniumandtheChineseprimrose，wereastonishedatmycuriousfancy。Iletthemsmile。Ihadmyplans:
IwantedtofindouthowthefamilyoftheLargeWhiteButterflybehaveswhenthecoldweathersetsin。ThingshappenedjustasIwished。AttheendofNovember，thecaterpillars，havinggrowntothedesiredextent，leftthecabbages，onebyone，andbegantoroamaboutthewalls。Noneofthemfixedhimselfthereormadepreparationsforthetransformation。
Isuspectedthattheywantedthechoiceofaspotintheopenair，exposedtoalltherigoursofwinter。Ithereforeleftthedoorofthehothouseopen。Soon，thewholecrowdhaddisappeared。
Ifoundthemdispersedallovertheneighbouringwalls，somethirtyyardsoff。Thethrustofaledge，theeavesformedbyaprojectingbitofmortarservedthemasashelterwherethechrysalidmoulttookplaceandwherethewinterwaspassed。TheCabbage-caterpillarpossessesarobustconstitution，unsusceptibletotorridheatoricycold。Allthatheneedsforhismetamorphosisisanairylodging，freefrompermanentdamp。
Theinmatesofmyfold，therefore，moveaboutforafewdaysonthetrelliswork，anxioustotravelafarinsearchofawall。Findingnoneandrealizingthattimepresses，theyresignthemselves。
Eachone，supportinghimselfonthetrellis，firstweavesaroundhimselfathincarpetofwhitesilk，whichwillformthesustaininglayeratthetimeofthelaboriousanddelicateworkofthenymphosis。Hefixeshisrear-endtothisbasebyasilkpadandhisforepartbyastrapthatpassesunderhisshouldersandisfixedoneithersidetothecarpet。Thusslungfromhisthreefastenings，hestripshimselfofhislarvalapparelandturnsintoachrysalisintheopenair，withnoprotectionsavethatofthewall，whichthecaterpillarwouldcertainlyhavefoundhadInotinterfered。
Ofasurety，hewouldbeshort-sightedindeedthatpicturedaworldofgoodthingspreparedexclusivelyforouradvantage。Theearth，thegreatfoster-mother，hasagenerousbreast。Attheverymomentwhennourishingmatteriscreated，eventhoughitbewithourownzealousaid，shesummonstothefeasthostuponhostofconsumers，whoareallthemorenumerousandenterprisinginproportionasthetableismoreamplyspread。Thecherryofourorchardsisexcellenteating:amaggotcontendswithusforitspossession。Invaindoweweighsunsandplanets:oursupremacy，whichfathomstheuniverse，cannotpreventawretchedwormfromlevyingitstollonthedeliciousfruit。Wemakeourselvesathomeinacabbage-bed:thesonsofthePierismakethemselvesathometheretoo。Preferringbroccolitowildradish，theyprofitwherewehaveprofited；andwehavenoremedyagainsttheircompetitionsavecaterpillar-raidsandegg-crushing，athankless，tediousandnonetooefficaciouswork。
Everycreaturehasitsclaimsonlife。TheCabbage-caterpillareagerlyputsforthhisown，somuchsothatthecultivationofthepreciousplantwouldbeendangeredifothersconcerneddidnottakepartinitsdefence。
Theseothersaretheauxiliaries，[note3]ourhelpersfromnecessityandnotfromsympathy。Thewordsfriendandfoe，auxiliariesandravagersareherethemereconventionsofalanguagenotalwaysadaptedtorendertheexacttruth。Heisourfoewhoeatsorattacksourcrops；ourfriendishewhofeedsuponourfoes。
Everythingisreducedtoafrenziedcontestofappetites。
Inthenameofthemightthatismine，oftrickery，ofhighwayrobbery，clearoutofthat，you，andmakeroomforme:givemeyourseatatthebanquet！Thatistheinexorablelawintheworldofanimalsandmoreorless，alas，inourownworldaswell！
Now，amongourentomologicalauxiliaries，thesmallestinsizearethebestattheirwork。Oneofthemischargedwithwatchingoverthecabbages。
Sheissosmall，sheworkssodiscreetlythatthegardenerdoesnotknowher，hasnotevenheardofher。Werehetoseeherbyaccident，flittingaroundtheplantwhichsheprotects，hewouldtakenonoticeofher，wouldnotsuspecttheservicerendered。Iproposetosetforththetinymidget’sdeserts。
ScientistscallherMicrogasterglomeratus。WhatexactlywasinthemindoftheauthorofthenameMicrogaster，whichmeanslittlebelly？
Didheintendtoalludetotheinsignificanceoftheabdomen？Notso。Howeverslightthebellymaybe，theinsectneverthelesspossessesone，correctlyproportionedtotherestofthebody，sothattheclassicdenomination，farfromgivingusanyinformation，mightmisleadus，werewetotrustitwholly。Nomenclature，whichchangesfromdaytodayandbecomesmoreandmorecacophonous，isanunsafeguide。Insteadofaskingtheanimalwhatitsnameis，letusbeginbyasking:
"Whatcanyoudo？Whatisyourbusiness？"
Well，theMicrogaster’sbusinessistoexploittheCabbage-caterpillar，aclearly-definedbusiness，admittingofnopossibleconfusion。Wouldwebeholdherworks？Inthespring，letusinspecttheneighbourhoodofthekitchen-garden。Beoureyeneversounobservant，weshallnoticeagainstthewallsoronthewitheredgrassesatthefootofthehedgessomeverysmallyellowcocoons，heapedintomassesthesizeofahazel-nut。BesideeachgroupliesaCabbage-caterpillar，sometimesdying，sometimesdeadandalwayspresentingamosttatteredappearanceThesecocoonsaretheworkoftheMicrogaster’sfamily，hatchedoronthepointofhatchingintotheperfectstage；thecaterpillaristhedishwhereonthatfamilyhasfedduringitslarvalstate。Theepithetglomeratus，whichaccompaniesthenameofMicrogaster，suggeststhisconglomerationofcocoons。Letuscollecttheclustersastheyare，withoutseekingtoseparatethem，anoperationwhichwoulddemandbothpatienceanddexterity，forthecocoonsarecloselyunitedbytheinextricabletangleoftheirsurface-threads。InMay，aswarmofpigmieswillsallyforth，readytogettobusinessinthecabbages。
ColloquiallanguageusesthetermsMidgeandGnattodescribethetinyinsectswhichweoftenseedancinginarayofsunlight。Thereissomethingofeverythinginthoseaerialballets。ItispossiblethatthepersecutrixoftheCabbage-caterpillaristhere，alongwithmanyanother；butthenameofMidgecannotproperlybeappliedtoher。HewhosaysMidgesaysFly，Dipteron，two-wingedinsect；andourfriendhasfourwings，oneandalladaptedforflying。Byvirtueofthischaracteristicandothersnolessimportant，shebelongstotheorderofHymenoptera。[note4]Nomatter:asourlanguagepossessesnomoreprecisetermoutsidethescientificvocabulary，letususetheexpressionMidge，whichprettywellconveysthegeneralidea。OurMidge，theMicrogaster，isthesizeofanaverageGnat。Shemeasures3or4millimetres。[note5]Thetwosexesareequallynumerousandwearthesamecostume，ablackuniform，allbutthelegs，whicharepalered。Inspiteofthislikeness，theyareeasilydistinguished。Themalehasanabdomenwhichisslightlyflattenedandmoreovercurvedatthetip；thefemale，beforethelaying，hashersfullandperceptiblydistendedbyitsovularcontents。
Thisrapidsketchoftheinsectshouldbeenoughforourpurpose。
Ifwewishtoknowthegrubandespeciallytoinformourselvesofitsmannerofliving，itisadvisabletorearinacageanumerousherdofCabbage-caterpillars。Whereasadirectsearchonthecabbagesinourgardenwouldgiveusbutadifficultanduncertainharvest，bythismeansweshalldailyhaveasmanyaswewishbeforeoureyes。
InthecourseofJune，whichisthetimewhenthecaterpillarsquittheirpasturesandgofarafieldtosettleonsomewallorother，thoseinmyfold，findingnothingbetter，climbtothedomeofthecagetomaketheirpreparationsandtospinasupportingnetworkforthechrysalid’sneeds。Amongthesespinnersweseesomeweaklingsworkinglistlesslyattheircarpet。Theirappearancemakesusdeemtheminthegripofamortaldisease。Itakeafewofthemandopentheirbellies，usinganeedlebywayofascalpel。Whatcomesoutisabunchofgreenentrails，soakedinabrightyellowfluid，whichisreallythecreature’sblood。Thesetangledintestinesswarmwithlittle，lazygrubs，varyinggreatlyinnumber，fromtenortwentyatleasttosometimeshalf-a-hundred。
TheyaretheoffspringoftheMicrogaster。
Whatdotheyfeedon？Thelensmakesconscientiousenquiries；nowheredoesitmanagetoshowmetheverminattackingsolidnourishment，fattytissues，musclesorotherparts；nowheredoIseethembite，gnawordissect。
Thefollowingexperimentwilltellusmorefully:Ipourintoawatch-glassthecrowdsextractedfromthehospitablepaunches。Ifloodthemwithcaterpillar’sbloodobtainedbysimplepricks；Iplacethepreparationunderaglassbell-jar，inamoistatmosphere，topreventevaporation；Irepeatthenourishingbathbymeansoffreshbleedingsandgivethemthestimulantwhichtheywouldhavegainedfromthelivingcaterpillar。Thankstotheseprecautions，mychargeshavealltheappearanceofexcellenthealth；
theydrinkandthrive。Butthisstateofthingscannotlastlong。Soonripeforthetransformation，mygrubsleavethedining-roomofthewatch-glassastheywouldhaveleftthecaterpillar’sbelly；theycometothegroundtotryandweavetheirtinycocoons。Theyfailintheattemptandperish。
Theyhavemissedasuitablesupport，thatistosay，thesilkycarpetprovidedbythedyingcaterpillar。Nomatter:Ihaveseenenoughtoconvinceme。
Thelarvæ；oftheMicrogasterdonoteatinthestrictsenseoftheword:theyliveonsoup；andthatsoupisthecaterpillar’sblood。
Examinetheparasitescloselyandyoushallseethattheirdietisboundtobealiquidone。Theyarelittlewhitegrubs，neatlysegmented，withapointedfore-partsplashedwithtinyblackmarks，asthoughtheatomhadbeenslakingitsthirstinadropofink。Itmovesitshind-quartersslowly，withoutshiftingitsposition。Iplaceitunderthemicroscope。
Themouthisapore，devoidofanyapparatusfordisintegration-work:ithasnofangs，nohornynippers，nomandibles；itsattackisjustakiss。Itdoesnotchew，itsucks，ittakesdiscreetsipsatthemoistureallaroundit。
Thefactthatitrefrainsentirelyfrombitingisconfirmedbymyautopsyofthestrickencaterpillars。Inthepatient’sbelly，notwithstandingthenumberofnurselingswhohardlyleaveroomforthenurse’sentrails，everythingisinperfectorder；nowheredoweseeatraceofmutilation。Nordoesaughtontheoutsidebetrayanyhavocwithin。Theexploitedcaterpillarsgrazeandmoveaboutpeacefully，givingnosignofpain。Itisimpossibleformetodistinguishthemfromtheunscathedonesinrespectofappetiteanduntroubleddigestion。
Whenthetimeapproachestoweavethecarpetforthesupportofthechrysalis，anappearanceofemaciationatlastpointstotheevilthatisattheirvitals。Theyspinnevertheless。Theyarestoicswhodonotforgettheirdutyinthehourofdeath。Atlast，theyexpire，quitesoftly，notofanywounds，butofanæ；mia，evenasalampgoesoutwhentheoilcomestoanend。Andithastobe。Thelivingcaterpillar，capableoffeedingitselfandformingblood，isanecessityforthewelfareofthegrubs；ithastolastaboutamonth，untiltheMicrogaster’soffspringhaveachievedtheirfullgrowth。Thetwocalendarssynchronizeinaremarkableway。Whenthecaterpillarleavesofteatingandmakesitspreparationsforthemetamorphosis，theparasitesareripefortheexodus。Thebottledriesupwhenthedrinkersceasetoneedit；
butuntilthatmomentitmustremainmoreorlesswell-filled，althoughbecominglimperdaily。Itisimportant，therefore，thatthecaterpillar’sexistencebenotendangeredbywoundswhich，eventhoughverytiny，wouldstoptheworkingoftheblood-fountains。Withthisintent，thedrainersofthebottleare，inamannerofspeaking，muzzled；theyhavebywayofamouthaporethatsuckswithoutbruising。
Thedyingcaterpillarcontinuestolaythesilkofhiscarpetwithaslowoscillationofthehead。Themomentnowcomesfortheparasitestoemerge。ThishappensinJuneandgenerallyatnightfall。Abreachismadeontheventralsurfaceorelseinthesides，neverontheback:onebreachonly，contrivedatapointofminorresistance，atthejunctionoftwosegments；foritisboundtobeatoilsomebusiness，intheabsenceofasetoffiling-tools。
Perhapsthewormstakeoneanother’splacesatthepointattackedandcomebyturnstoworkatitwithakiss。
Inoneshortspell，thewholetribeissuesthroughthissingleopeningandissoonwrigglingabout，perchedonthesurfaceofthecaterpillar。
Thelenscannotperceivethehole，whichclosesontheinstant。Thereisnotevenahæ；morrhage:thebottlehasbeendrainedtoothoroughly。
Youmustpressitbetweenyourfingerstosqueezeoutafewdropsofmoistureandthusdiscoverthespotofexit。
Aroundthecaterpillar，whoisnotalwaysquitedeadandwhosometimesevengoesonweavinghiscarpetamomentlonger，theverminatoncebegintoworkattheircocoons。Thestraw-colouredthread，drawnfromthesilk-glandsbyabackwardjerkofthehead，isfirstfixedtothewhitenetworkofthecaterpillarandthenproducesadjacentwarp-beams，sothat，bymutualentanglements，theindividualworksareweldedtogetherandformanagglomerationinwhicheachofthewormshasitsowncabin。Forthemoment，whatiswovenisnottherealcocoon，butageneralscaffoldingwhichwillfacilitatetheconstructionoftheseparateshells。Alltheseframesrestuponthoseadjoiningand，mixinguptheirthreads，becomeacommonedificewhereineachgrubcontrivesashelterforitself。Hereatlasttherealcocoonisspun，aprettylittlepieceofclosely-wovenwork。
Inmyrearing-jars，Iobtainasmanygroupsofthosetinyshellsasmyfutureexperimentscanwishfor。Three-fourthsofthecaterpillarshavesuppliedmewiththem，soruthlesshasbeenthetollofthespringbirths。
Ilodgethesegroups，onebyone，inseparateglasstubes，thusformingacollectiononwhichIcandrawatwill，while，inviewofmyexperiments，Ikeepunderobservationthewholeswarmproducedbyonecaterpillar。
TheadultMicrogasterappearsafortnightlater，inthemiddleofJune。
Therearefiftyinthefirsttubeexamined。Theriotousmultitudeisinthefullenjoymentofthepairingseason，forthetwosexesalwaysfigureamongtheguestsofanyonecaterpillar。Whatanimation！Whatanorgyoflove！Thecarnivalofthosepigmiesbewilderstheobserverandmakeshisheadswim。
Mostofthefemales，wishfulofliberty，plungedowntothewaistbetweentheglassofthetubeandtheplugofcotton-woolthatclosestheendturnedtothelight；butthelowerhalvesremainfreeandformacirculargalleryinfrontofwhichthemaleshustleoneanother，takeoneanother’splacesandhastilyoperate。Eachbideshisturn，eachattendstohislittlemattersforafewmomentsandthenmakeswayforhisrivalsandgoesofftostartagainelsewhere。Theturbulentweddinglastsallthemorningandbeginsafreshnextday，amightythrongofcouplesembracing，separatingandembracingoncemore。
Thereiseveryreasontobelievethat，ingardens，thematedones，findingthemselvesinisolatedcouples，wouldkeepquieter。Here，inthetube，thingsdegenerateintoariotbecausetheassemblyistoonumerousforthenarrowspace。
Whatislackingtocompleteitshappiness？Apparently，alittlefood，afewsugarymouthfulsextractedfromtheflowers。Iserveupsomeprovisionsinthetubes:notdropsofhoney，inwhichthepunycreatureswouldgetstuck，butlittlestripsofpaperspreadwiththatdainty。Theycometothem，taketheirstandonthemandrefreshthemselves。Thefareappearstoagreewiththem。Withthisdiet，renewedasthestripsdryup，Icankeeptheminverygoodconditionuntiltheendofmyinquisition。
Thereisanotherarrangementtobemade。Thecolonistsinmysparetubesarerestlessandquickofflight；theywillhavetobetransferredpresentlytosundryvesselswithoutmyriskingthelossofagoodnumber，oreventhewholelot，alosswhichmyhands，myforcepsandothermeansofcoercionwouldbeunabletopreventbycheckingthenimblemovementsofthetinyprisoners。Theirresistibleattractionofthesunlightcomestomyaid。
IfIlayoneofmytubeshorizontallyonthetable，turningoneendtowardsthefulllightofasunnywindow，thecaptivesatoncemakeforthisbrighterendandplayaboutthereforalongwhile，withoutseekingtoretreat。
IfIturnthetubeintheoppositedirection，thecrowdimmediatelyshiftsitsquartersandcollectsattheotherend。Thebrilliantsunlightisitsgreatjoy。Withthisbait，IcansenditwhithersoeverIplease。
Wewillthereforeplacethenewreceptacle，jarortest-tube，onthetable，pointingtheclosedendtowardsthewindow。Atitsmouth，weopenoneofthefulltubes。Nootherprecautionisneeded:
eventhoughthemouthleavesalargeintervalfree，theswarmhastensintothelightedchamber。Allthatremainstobedoneistoclosetheapparatusbeforemovingit。Theobserverisnowincontrolofthemultitude，withoutappreciablelosses，andisabletoquestionitatwill。
Wewillbeginbyasking:
"Howdoyoumanagetolodgeyourgermsinsidethecaterpillar？"
Thisquestionandothersofthesamecategory，whichoughttotakeprecedenceofeverythingelse，aregenerallyneglectedbytheimpalerofinsects，whocaresmoreforthenicetiesofnomenclaturethanforgloriousrealities。
Heclassifieshissubjects，dividingthemintoregimentswithbarbarouslabels，aworkwhichseemstohimthehighestexpressionofentomologicalscience。Names，nothingbutnames:theresthardlycounts。ThepersecutorofthePierisusedtobecalledMicrogaster，thatistosay，littlebelly:
to-daysheiscalledApantales，thatistosay，theincomplete。Whatafinestepforward！Wenowknowallaboutit！
Canourfriendatleasttellushow"thelittlebelly"or"theincomplete"
getsintothecaterpillar？Notabitofit！Abookwhich，judgingbyitsrecentdate，shouldbethefaithfulechoofouractualknowledge，informsusthattheMicrogasterinsertshereggsdirectintothecaterpillar’sbody。Itgoesontosaythattheparasiticvermininhabitthechrysalis，whencetheymaketheirwayoutbyperforatingthestouthornywrapper。HundredsoftimeshaveIwitnessedtheexodusofthegrubsripeforweavingtheircocoons；andtheexithasalwaysbeenmadethroughtheskinofthecaterpillarandneverthroughthearmourofthechrysalis。
Thefactthatitsmouthisamereclingingpore，deprivedofanyoffensiveweapon，wouldevenleadmetobelievethatthegrubisincapableofperforatingthechrysalid’scovering。
Thisprovederrormakesmedoubttheotherproposition，thoughlogical，afterall，andagreeingwiththemethodsfollowedbyahostofparasites。
Nomatter:myfaithinwhatIreadinprintisoftheslightest；Iprefertogostraighttofacts。Beforemakingastatementofanykind，Iwanttosee，whatIcallseeing。Itisaslowerandmorelaboriousprocess；
butitiscertainlymuchsafer。
Iwillnotundertaketolieinwaitforwhattakesplaceonthecabbagesinthegarden:thatmethodistoouncertainandbesidesdoesnotlenditselftopreciseobservation。AsIhaveinhandthenecessarymaterials，towit，mycollectionoftubesswarmingwiththeparasitesnewlyhatchedintotheadultform，Iwilloperateonthelittletableinmyanimals’
laboratory。Ajarwithacapacityofaboutalitre[note6]isplacedonthetable，withthebottomturnedtowardsthewindowinthesun。Iputintoitacabbage-leafcoveredwithcaterpillars，sometimesfullydeveloped，sometimeshalf-way，sometimesjustoutoftheegg。AstripofhoneyedpaperwillservetheMicrogasterasadining-room，iftheexperimentisdestinedtotakesometime。Lastly，bythemethodoftransferwhichIdescribedabove，Isendtheinmatesofoneofmytubesintotheapparatus。
Oncethejarisclosed，thereisnothinglefttodobuttoletthingstaketheircourseandtokeepanassiduouswatch，fordaysandweeks，ifneedbe。Nothingworthremarkingcanescapeme。
Thecaterpillarsgrazeplacidly，heedlessoftheirterribleattendants。
Ifsomegiddy-patesintheturbulentswarmpassoverthecaterpillars’
spines，thesedrawuptheirfore-partwithajerkandassuddenlyloweritagain；andthatisall:theintrudersforthwithdecamp。Nordothelatterseemtocontemplateanyharm:theyrefreshthemselvesonthehoney-smearedstrip，theycomeandgotumultuously。Theirshortflightsmaylandthem，nowinoneplace，nowinanother，onthebrowsingherd，buttheypaynoattentiontoit。Whatweseeiscasualmeetings，notdeliberateencounters。
InvainIchangetheflockofcaterpillarsandvarytheirage；invainIchangethesquadofparasites:invainIfolloweventsinthejarforlonghours，morningandevening，bothinadimlightandinthefullglareofthesun:Isucceedinseeingnothing，absolutelynothing，ontheparasite’sside，thatresemblesanattack。Nomatterwhattheill-informedauthorssay——ill-informedbecausetheyhadnotthepatiencetoseeforthemselves——theconclusionatwhichIarriveispositive:toinjectthegerms，theMicrogasterneverattacksthecaterpillars。
Theinvasion，therefore，isnecessarilyeffectedthroughtheButterfly’seggsthemselves，asexperimentwillprove。Mybroadjarwouldtellagainsttheinspectionofthetroop，keptattoogreatadistancebytheglassenclosure；andIthereforeselectatubeaninchwide。Iplaceinthisashredofcabbage-leaf，bearingaslabofeggs，aslaidbytheButterfly。Inextintroducetheinmatesofoneofmysparevessels。Astripofpapersmearedwithhoneyaccompaniesthenewarrivals。
ThishappensearlyinJuly。Soon，thefemalesarethere，fussingabout，sometimestotheextentofblackeningthewholeslabofyelloweggs。Theyinspectthetreasure，fluttertheirwingsandbrushtheirhind-legsagainsteachother，asignofkeensatisfaction。Theysoundtheheap，probetheintersticeswiththeirantennæ；andtaptheindividualeggswiththeirpalpi；then，thisonehere，thatonethere，theyquicklyapplythetipoftheirabdomentotheeggselected。Eachtime，weseeaslender，hornyprickledartingfromtheventralsurface，closetotheend。Thisistheinstrumentthatdepositsthegermunderthefilmoftheegg；itistheinoculation-needle。Theoperationisperformedcalmlyandmethodically，evenwhenseveralmothersareworkingatoneandthesametime。Whereonehasbeen，asecondgoes，followedbyathird，afourthandothersyet，noramIabledefinitelytoseetheendofthevisitspaidtothesameegg。Eachtime，theneedleentersandinsertsagerm。
Itisimpossible，insuchacrowd，fortheeyetofollowthesuccessivemotherswhohastentolayineach；butthereisonequitepracticablemethodbywhichwecanestimatethenumberofgermsintroducedintoasingleegg，whichis，later，toopentheravagedcaterpillarsandcountthewormswhichtheycontain。Alessrepugnantmeansistonumberthelittlecocoonsheapeduparoundeachdeadcaterpillar。Thetotalwilltellushowmanygermswereinjected，somebythesamemotherreturningseveraltimestotheeggalreadytreated，othersbydifferentmothers。Well，thenumberofthesecocoonsvariesgreatly。Generally，itfluctuatesintheneighbourhoodoftwenty，butIhavecomeacrossasmanyassixty-five；andnothingtellsmethatthisistheextremelimit。WhathideousindustryfortheexterminationofaButterfly’sprogeny！
Iamfortunateatthismomentinhavingahighly-culturedvisitor，versedintheprofunditiesofphilosophicthought。ImakewayforhimbeforetheapparatuswhereintheMicrogasterisatwork。Foranhourandmore，standinglensinhand，he，inhisturn，looksandseeswhatI
havejustseen；hewatchesthelayerswhogofromoneeggtotheother，maketheirchoice，drawtheirslenderlancetandprickwhatthestreamofpassersby，oneaftertheother，havealreadypricked。Thoughtfulandalittleuneasy，heputsdownhislensatlast。Neverhadhebeenvouchsafedsoclearaglimpseashere，inmyfinger-widetube，ofthemasterlybrigandagethatrunsthroughalllifedowntothatoftheverysmallest。______
[note1]:AspeciesofWeevilsfoundonthistle-heads——Translator’sNote[note2]:。078inch——Translator’sNote。
[note3]:[note]Theauthoremploysthiswordtodenotetheinsectsthatarehelpful，whiledescribingas"ravagers"theinsectsthatarehurtfultothefarmer’scrops——Translator’sNote。
[note4]:[note]ThisorderincludestheIchneurnon-flies，ofwhomtheMicrogasterisone——Translator’sNote。
[note5]:[note]。117to。156inch——Translator’sNote。
[note6]:[note]About13/4pints，or。22gallon——Translator’sNote。