Whatisthereason，theintention，thehighlawwhichpresidesoverthesevisiblechanges，thesesuccessiveenvelopmentsofcreaturesonewithintheother，thesemultipletransfigurations？
BywhatbygoneadaptationshastheSitarissuccessivelyacquiredthesediverseextraordinaryphasesoflife，indicatingpossiblyforeachcorrespondingagesomeancientandremoteheredity？9/5。
Howmanyotherargumentsmightevolutionderivefromhisbooks，andwhatillustrationsoftheDarwinianphilosophyhasheunconsciouslyfurnished！
Doeshenotevenallowtheadmissiontoescapehimthat“thespiritofcunninganddeceptionistransmitted“？HeseesinthepersecutionsoftheDytiscus，the“pirateoftheponds。”theoriginofthefacultywhichthePhryganeahasofrefashioningitsshieldwhendemandedofit。“Toevadetheassaultofthebrigand，thePhryganeamusthastilyabandonitsmantle；itallowsitselftosinktothebottom，andpromptlyremovesitself；necessityisthemotherofinvention。”9/6。
ReturningtothelacunaewhichitsoamazesFabretodiscoverinourorganization，eveninthemostperfectofus，aretheyfundamentallyveryreal？Thesemysteriousandunknownsenseswhichhehassogreatlycontributedtoelucidateinthecaseoftheinferiorspecies：why，heasks，havewenotinheritedthem，ifwearetrulythefinaltermandthesupremegoalofcreation？
Butincultivatingourintuition，asBergsoninvitesustodo，woulditbeimpossibletore-awaken，deepwithinus，thesestrangefaculties，whichperhapsareonlyslumbering？Whatofthatspeciesofindefinablememorywhichpermitstheredant，theBembex，theCerceris，thePompilus，theChalicodomaandsomanyothersto“findthemselves。”toorientatethemselveswithinfalliblecertaintyandincredibleaccuracy？Isitnottobefound，accordingtotravellers，inthosemenwhohaveremainedclosetonatureandaccustomedfromtheirremotestoriginstolistentothesilenceofthegreatdeserts？
Finally，theevolutionists，who“reconstructtheworldinimagination。”andwhoseeintherelationshipofneighbouringspeciesaproofofdescentorderivation，andawholeidealseries，willnotfailtoperceivethroughouthiswork，intheelementaryoperationsoftheEumenesandtheOdynerus，cousinsoftheCerceris，whichstingtheirpreyinplacesasyetilldetermined，notindeedsomanyisolatedattempts，butanincompleteprocessofinvention，anattemptatproceduresstillinthefactofformation：inaword，thebirthofthatmarvellousinstinctwhichendsinthetranscendentartoftheSphexandtheAmmophila。
Althoughtheyhaveacquiredsuchprodigiousdeftness，thesemasterparalysersarenot，infact，alwaysinfallible。OccasionallytheSphexblundersandgropes，“operatesclumsily“；thecricketrevives，getsuponitsfeet，turnsroundandround，andtriestowalk。But，inquiresFabre，doyousaythathavingprofitedbyafortuitousact，whichhasturnedouttobefavourabletothem，theyhaveperfectedthemselvesbycontactwiththeirelders，“thankstotheimitationofexample。”andthattheyhavethuscrystallizedtheirexperiences，whichhavebeentransmittedbyheredity——
therebyfixedintherace？9/7。
Howmuchweshouldpreferthatitwereso！Howmuchmorecomprehensibleandinterestingtheirlifewouldbecome！
But“whenthehymenopteronbreaksitscocoon，whereareitsmasters！Itspredecessorshavelongagodisappeared。Howthencanitreceiveeducationbyexample？“
Youwho“shapetheworldtoyourwhim。”youwillreply：“Doubtlesstherearenolongermastersto-day；butgobacktothefirstagesoftheglobe，whentheworldinitsnewness，asLucretiushassosuperblysaid，asyetknewneitherbittercoldnorexcessiveheat9/8。；aneternalspringtidebathedtheearth，andtheinsects，notdying，asto-day，atthefirsttouchoffrost，twosuccessivegenerationslivedsidebyside，andtheyoungergenerationcouldprofitatleisurebythelessonsofexample。”9/9。
LetusreturntoFabre’slaboratory，tothecoversofwire-gauze，andnotewhatbecomes，attheapproachofwinter，ofthesurvivorsofthevespinecity。
Inthemildandcomfortableretreatwherethewaspsarekeptunderobservationtheydienoless，despitetheirwell-beingandallthecareexpendedonthem，whenonce“theinexorablehour“hasstruck，andoncetheexactcapitaloflifewhichseemstohavebeenimpartedtothemagesagoisexhausted。Withnoapparentcause，weseedeathbusyamongthem。“Suddenlythewaspsbegintofallasthoughstruckbylightning；forafewmomentstheabdomenquiversandthelegsgesticulate，thenfinallyremaininert，likeaclockworkmachinewhosespringhasrundowntothelastcoil。”
9/10。Thislawisgeneral；“theinsectisbornorphanedbothofmotherandfather，exceptingthesocialinsect，andagainexceptingthedung-
beetle，whichdiesfullofdays。”9/11。
Moreover，Fabreisneverwearyofdemonstratingthattheinsect，perfectlyunconsciousofthemotivewhichmakesitact，thistherebyincapableofprofitingbythelessonsofexperienceandofinnovationinitshabits，beyondaverynarrowcircle。“Noapprentices，nomasters。”Inthisworldeachobeys“theinnervoice“onitsownaccount；eachsetsitselftoaccomplishitstask，notonlywithouttroublingastowhatitsneighbourisdoing，butwithoutthinkinganyfurtherastowhatitisdoingitself；
instancetheEpe？ra，turningitsbackonitswork，yet“thelatterproceedsofitself，sowellisthemechanismdevised“；andifbyillchancethespideractedotherwiseitwouldprobablyfail。
DarwinknewbarelythetenthpartofthecolossalworkofFabre。Hehadreadfirstlyinthe“AnnalsofNaturalScience“ofthehabitsoftheCercerisandthefabuloushistoryoftheMeloidae。Finallyhesawthefirstvolumeofthe“Souvenirs“appear，andwasinterestedinthehighestdegreebythebeautifulstudyonthesenseoflocationanddirectionintheMason-
bees。
Thiswasalreadymorethanenoughtoexcitehiscuriosityandtomakehimwonderwhetherallhisphilosophywouldnotstumbleoverthisobstacle。
Afterhavingsucceededinexplainingsoluminously——andwithwhataloftypurview——theoriginofspeciesandthewholeconcatenationofanimalforms，woulditnotbeasthoughhehaltedmidwayinhistaskwerethesanctuaryoftheoriginofinstincttoremainforeverinscrutable？
FabrehadnotyetleftOrangewhenDarwinengagedinacuriouscorrespondencewhichlasteduntiltheformerhadbeennearlytwoyearsatSérignan，andwhichshowedhowpassionatelyinterestedthegreattheoristofevolutionwasinalltheFrenchman’ssurprisingobservations。
ItseemsthatonhissideFabretookasingularinterestinthediscussiononaccountoftheabsolutesincerity，theobviousdesiretoarriveatthetruth，andalsotheardentinterestinhisownstudies，ofwhichDarwin’sletterswerefull。HeconceivedaveritableaffectionforDarwin，andcommencedtolearnEnglish，thebettertounderstandhimandtoreplymoreprecisely；andadiscussiononsuchasubjectbetweenthesetwogreatminds，whowere，apparently，adversaries，butwhohadconceivedaninfiniterespectforoneanother，promisedtobeprodigiouslyinteresting。
Unhappilydeathwassoontoputanendtoit，andwhenthesolitaryofDownexpiredin1882thehermitofSérignansalutedhisgreatshadewithrealemotion。HowmanytimeshaveIheardhimrenderhomagetothisillustriousmemory！
Butthefurrowwastraced；thenceforthFabreneverceasedtomultiplyhispin-pricksin“thevastandluminousballoonoftransformismevolution，inordertoemptyitandexposeitinallitsinanity。”9/12。Bynomeanstheleastoriginalfeatureofhisworkisthispassionateandincisiveargument，inwhich，witharemarkablepowerofdialectic，andattimesinatoneoflivelybanter，heendeavouredtoremove“thiscomfortablepillowfromthosewhohavenotthecouragetoinquireintoitsfundamentalnature。”Heattackedthese“adventuroussyntheses，thesesuperbandsupposedlyphilosophicdeductions。”allthemoreeagerlybecausehehimselfhadanunshakablefaithintheabsolutecertaintyofhisowndiscoveries，andbecauseheassertedtherealityofthingsonlyafterhehadobservedandre-observedthemtosatiety。
Thisiswhyhecaredsolittletoengageinargumentrelatingtohisownworks；hedidnotcarefordiscussion；hewasindifferenttothedailypress；heavoidedcriticismandcontroversy，andneverrepliedtotheattackswhichweremadeuponhim；herathertookpainstosurroundhimselfwithsilenceuntilthedaywhenhefeltthathisresearcheswereripeandreadyforpublicity。
HewrotetohisdearfriendDevillario，shortlyafterDarwin’sdeath：
“Ihavemadearuleofneverreplyingtotheremarks，whetherfavourableorthereverse，whichmywritingsmayevoke。Igomyowngait，indifferentwhetherthegalleryapplaudsorhisses。Toseekthetruthismyonlypreoccupation。Ifsomearedissatisfiedwiththeresultofmyobservations——
iftheirpettheoriesaredamagedthereby——letthemdotheworkthemselves，toseewhetherthefactstellanotherstory。Myproblemcannotbesolvedbypolemics；patientstudyalonecanthrowalittlelightonthesubject。9/13。
“Iamprofoundlyindifferenttowhatthenewspapersmaysayaboutme。”hewrotetohisbrotherseventeenyearslater；“itisenoughformeifIamprettywellsatisfiedwithmyownwork。”9/14。
Hereadallthelettershereceivedonlyinasuperficialmanner，neglectingtothankthosewhopraisedorcongratulatedhim，andaboveallshrinkingfromallthatidlecorrespondenceinwhichlifeiswastedwithoutaimorprofit。
“IfumeandswearwhenIhavetocutintomymorninginordertoreplytoso-and-sowhosendsme，inprintormanuscript，hismeedofpraise；ifI
werenotcarefulIshouldhavenotimeleftforfarmoreimportantwork。”
HisbelovedFrédéric，“thebestofhisfriends。”washimselfoftentreatednobetter，andtoexcusehissilenceandtheinfrequencyofhisletters，Henri，evenintheyearsspentatCarpentrasandAjaccio，couldpleadonlythesamereasons；hisstupendouslabours，hisexhaustingtask，“whichoverwhelmedhim，andwasoftentoogreat，notforhiscourage，butforhistimeandhisstrength。”9/15。
Nevertheless，whileevadingthequestionoforigins，hisfar-sightedintellectwasboundto“readfromthefacts“concerningthegenesisofnewspeciesinprocessofevolution；andhisobservationsthrowasingularlightonthequiterecenttheoryofsuddenmutations。
ThenymphoftheOnthophaguspresents“astrangeparaphernaliaofhornsandspurswhichtheorganismhasproducedinamomentofardour——aluxuriouspanoplywhichvanishesintheadult。”
ThenymphoftheOniticellaalsodecksitselfin“atemporaryhorn，whichdepartswhenitemerges。”
And“asthedung-beetleisrecentinthegeneralchronologyofcreatures，asittakesrankamongthelastcomers，asthegeologicalstrataaremuteconcerningit，itispossiblethatthesehorn-likeprocesses，whichalwaysdegeneratebeforetheyreachcompletion，maybenotareminiscencebutapromise，agradualelaborationofneworgans，timidattemptswhichthecenturieswillhardentoacompletearmour，ANDIFTHISWERESOTHEPRESENT
WOULDTEACHUSWHATTHEFUTUREISTOBE。”9/16。
Hereisaspecifictransformation，averitablecreation；fortuitous，blind，andsilent；oneofthoseinnumerableattemptswhichnatureisalwaysmaking，forthemomentamerematterofhazard，untilsomepropitiouscircumstancefixesitinfutureincarnations。
Thusmillionsofindeterminatecreaturesareincessantlyroughedoutinthesubstanceofthatmicrocosmwhichistheinitialcell；anditisherethatFabreseestherealsecretofthelawofevolution。
HerefutesthegreatprincipleofLeibnitz，whichwassobrilliantlyadoptedbyDarwin，thatchangesoccurbydegrees，by“fineshades。”byslowvariations，astheresultofsuccessiveadaptations，andthatthereisnojumping-offplaceinnature。Onthecontrary，lifeoftenpassessuddenlyfromoneformtoanother，byabruptandcapriciousleaps，byirregularanddisorderlysteps，anditisintheeggthatFabreseesthefirstlineamentsofthesemysteriousandspontaneousvariations。
Speciesarethereforebornasawhole，eachatthesametime，ATTHESAME
MOMENT，“bringingintobeingitsneworganism，withitsindividualpropertiesandpeculiarities，itsindelibleandinnatefacultiesandtendencies，like“somanymedals，eachstruckwithadifferentdie，whichthegnawingtoothoftimeattacksonlysoonerorlatertoannihilateit。”
However，Fabreaffirmsthecontinuityofprogress；hebelievesinabetterandmoremercifulfuture，amorecompletehumanity，ruledbymoreharmoniousorlessbrutallaws。
Withwhatprofoundintelligenceandwhatgenerousenthusiasmheseekstoconjecturewhatthisfuturemightbe，inhisbeautifulobservationsontheyoungoftheLycosa9/17。，whichcanliveforweeksandmonthsinabsoluteabstinence，althoughwecanperceivenoreserveofnutriment！
Weknownoothersourcesofanimalactivitysavetheenergyderivedfromfood。Vegetablesdrawthematerialsoftheirnourishmentfromthesoilandtheair，andthesunlightisonlyanintermediarywhichenablestheplanttofixitscarbon。Theanimalspeciesinturnborrowtheelementsindispensabletotheirexistencefromthevegetableworld，orrestoretheirfleshandbloodwiththefleshandbloodofotheranimals。
NowtheyoungLycosae“arenotinertontheirmother’sback；iftheyfallfromthematernalchinetheyquicklypickthemselvesupandclimbuponeofherlegs，andoncebackinplacetheyhavetopreservetheequilibriumofthemass。Inrealitytheyknownosuchthingascompleterepose。WhatthenistheenergeticalimentwhichenablesthelittleLycosaetostruggle？
Whenceistheheatexpendedinactionderived？“
Fabreseesnoothersourcethan“thesun。”
“Everyday，iftheskyisclear，theLycosa，loadedwithherlittleones，crawlstotheedgeofherwell，andforlonghoursliesinthesun。There，onthematernalback，theyoungonesstretchthemselvesout，saturatethemselvesinthesunshine，chargingthemselveswithmotorreserves，steepingthemselvesinenergy，directlyconvertingintomovementthecalorificradiationscomingfromthesun，thecentreofalllife。”
TheScorpionalsoisabletoliveformonthswithoutnourishment，restoringdirectly，intheformofmovement，“theeffluviaemanatingfromthesunorfromotherambientenergies——heat，electricity，light——whicharethesouloftheworld。”
Perhaps，amongtheinnumerableworldsofspace，thereissomewhere，gravitatingroundafixedstar，aplanetinvisibletouswhere“thesunlightsatesthehungeroftheblind。”
Thegentlephilosophyoftheingeniousdreamersoothesitselfwiththevision，entertainedbygreatandnobleminds，ofahumanity“whoseteethwillnolongerattacksensiblelife，noreventhepulpoffruits“；“whencreatureswilldevouroneanothernolonger，willnolongerfeeduponthedead；whentheywillbenourishedbythesunlight，withoutconflict，withoutwar，withoutlabour；freedfromallcare，andassuredagainstallneeds！“
Thus，inthehumblestcreatures，heseesthemostmarvellousperspectives；
thebodyofthelowestinsectbecomessuddenlyatranscendentsecret，lightinguptheabyssofthehumansoul，orgivingitaglimpseofthestars。
Andalthoughhisworkisincontradictiontothetheoriesoftheevolutionists，itendswiththesamemoralconclusion，namely，thatallcreationmovesslowlyandwithoutintermissiononitsgradualascenttowardsprogress。
CHAPTER10。THEANIMALMIND。
Thecunninganatomisthasnowsuccessivelylaidbareallthespringsoftheanimalintellect；hehasshownhowthevariousmovementsaremutuallycombinedandengaged。Butsofarwehaveseenonlyoneofthefacesofthelittlemindoftheanimal；letusnowconsidertheotheraspect，themoralside，theregionoffeeling，theproblemofwhichisconfoundedwiththeproblemofinstinct，andisdoubtlessfundamentallyonlyanotheraspectofthesameelementalpower。
Aftertheconflicttheinsectmanifestsitsdelight；itseemssometimestoexultinitstriumph；“besidethecaterpillarwhichithasjuststabbedwithitssting，andwhichlieswrithingontheground。”theAmmophila“stamps，gesticulates，beatsherwings。”capersabout，soundingvictoryinanintoxicationofdelight。
ThesenseofpropertyexistsinahighdegreeamongtheMason-bees；withthemrightcomesbeforemight，and“theintruderisalwaysfinallydislodged。”10/1。
Butcanwefindintheinsectanythinganalogoustowhatwetermdevotion，attachment，affectionatefeeling？Therearefactswhichleadustobelievewemay。
LetusgooncemoreintoFabre’sgardenandadmiretheThomisus：absorbedinhermaternalfunction，thelittlespiderlyingflatonhernestcanstrivenolongerandiswastingaway，butpersistsinliving，mereruinthatsheis，inordertoopenthedoortoherfamilywithonelastbite。
Feelingunderthesilkenroofheroffspringstampingwithimpatience，butknowingthattheyhavenotstrengthtoliberatethemselves，sheperforatesthecapsule，makingasortofpracticableskylight。Thisdutyaccomplished，shequietlysurrenderstodeath，stillgrappledtohernest。
ThePsyche，dominatedbyakindofunconsciousnecessity，protectshernurserybymeansofherbody，anchorsherselfuponthethreshold，andperishesthere，devotedtoherfamilyevenindeath。
However，Fabrewillshowuswithinfalliblelogicthatalltheseinstancesofforesightandmaternaltendernesshave，asarule，noothermotivethanpleasureandtheblindimpulsewhichurgestheinsecttofollowonlythefatalpathofitsinstincts。
Inmanyspeciesthematerialfactofmaternityisreducedtoitssimplestexpression。
ThePierislimitsherselftodepositinghereggsontheleavesofthecabbage，“onwhichtheyoungmustthemselvesfindfoodandshelter。”
“FromtheheightofthetopmostclustersofthecentaurytheClythrisnegligentlyletshereggsfalltotheground，onebyone，hereorthereathazard；withouttheleastcareastotheirinstallation。
“TheeggsoftheLocustidaeareimplantedintheearthlikeseedsandgerminatelikegrain。”
ButstopbeforetheLycosa，thatmagnificenttypeofmaternallovewhichFabrehasalreadydepicted。“Shebroodsoverhereggswithanxiousaffection。Withthehinderclawsrestingonthemarginofthewellsheholdsherselfsupportedabovetheopeningofthewhitesac，whichisswollenwitheggs。Forseverallongweekssheexposesittothesunduringhalftheday。Gentlysheturnsitaboutinordertopresenteverysidetothevivifyinglight。Thebird，inordertohatchhereggs，coversthemwiththedownofherbreast，andpressesthemagainstthatlivingcalorifer，herheart。TheLycosaturnshersaboutbeneaththefiresofheaven；shegivesthemthesunforincubator。”10。2。Couldabnegationbemoreperfect？Whatgreaterproofcouldtherebeofrenunciationandself-oblivion？
Butappearancesarevain。Substituteforthebelovedsacsomeotherobject，andthespider“willturnabout，withthesamelove，asthoughitwerehersacofeggs，apieceofcork，apincushion，oraballofpaper。”justasthehen，anothervictimofthissublimedeception，willgiveallherhearttohatchingthechinanest-eggswhichhavebeenplacedbeneathher，andforweekswillforgettofeed。
Theyoungbroodhatches，andthespidergoesa-hunting，carryingherlittleonesonherback；sheprotectsthemincaseofdanger，butisincapableofrecognizingthemorofdistinguishingthemfromtheyoungofothers。TheCoprisandtheScorpionarenolessblind，“andtheirmaternaltendernessbarelyexceedsthatoftheplant，which，astrangertoanysenseofaffectionormorality，nonethelessexercisesthemostexquisitecareinrespectofitsseeds。”
Moreover，theimpulsetoworkisonlyakindofunconsciouspleasure。WhenthePelopaeus“hasstoredherlairwithgame。”whentheCercerishassealedthecrypttowhichshehasconfidedthefutureofherrace，neitheronenortheothercanforesee“thefutureoffspringwhichtheirfacetedeyeswillneverbehold，andtheveryobjectoftheirlaboursistothemoccult。”
Withthem，aswithall，lifecanonlybeaperpetualillusion。
Yetthemarvellousedificeofthe“Souvenirsentomologiques“isconsummatedbytheastonishinghistoryoftheMinotaur，whosehabitssurpassinidealbeautyallthatcouldbeimagined。
Atthebottomofaburrow，inadeeplysunkenvault，twodung-beetlesareatwork，theMinotaurs，who，onceunited，recognizeoneanother，andcanfindoneanotheragainifseparated，butdonotvoluntarilyseparate，realizing“themoralbeautyofthedoublelife“and“thetouchingconceptofthefamily，thesacredgroupparexcellence。”Themaleburieshimselfwithhiscompanion，remainsfaithfultoher，comestoherassistance，and“storesuptreasureforthefuture。Neverdiscouragedbytheheavylabourofclimbing，leavingtothemotheronlythemoremoderatelabour，keepingtheseverestforhimself，theheavytaskoftransportinanarrowtunnel，verydeepandalmostvertical，hegoesforaging，forgetfulofhimself，heedlessoftheintoxicatingdelightsofspring，thoughitwouldbesogoodtoseesomethingofthecountry，tofeastwithhisbrothers，andtopestertheneighbours；butno！hecollectsthefoodwhichistonourishhischildren，andthen，whenallisreadyforthenew-comers，whentheirlivingisassured，havingspenthimselfwithoutcountingthecost，exhaustedbyhisefforts，andfeelinghimselffailing，heleaveshishomeandgoesawaytodie，thathemaynotpollutethedwellingwithacorpse。”
Themother，onherside，allowsnothingtodivertherfromherhousehold，andonlyreturnstothesurfacewhenaccompaniedbyheryoung，whodisperseatwill。Then，havingnothingmoretodo，thedevotedcreatureperishesinturn。10/3。
ComparedwiththeScarabaeus，whichcontentsitselfwithidlewandering，orevenwiththemeritoriousSisyphus，doesitnotseemthattheMinotaurmovesonaninfinitelyhigherplane？
Whatnoblercouldbefoundamongourselves？Whatfathereverbettercomprehendedhisdutiesandobligationstowardhisfamily？Whatmoralitycouldbemoreirreproachable；whatfairerexamplecouldbemeditated？
“Isnotlifeeverywherethesame，inthebodyofthedung-beetleasinthatofman？Ifweexamineitintheinsect，dowenotexamineitinourselves？“
WhencedoestheMinotaurderivetheseparticulargraces？Howhasitrisentosohighalevelonthewingsofpureinstinct？Howcouldweexplaintherarityofsosublimeanexample，didwenotknow，tosatiety，that“natureeverywhereisbutanenigmaticpoem，aswhoshouldsayaveiledandmistypicture，shiningwithaninfinitevarietyofdeceptivelightsinordertoevokeourconjectures“？10/4。
Nevertheless，itisafactthatthemajorityhavenootherruleofconductthantofollowthetrendoftheirinstincts，andtoobey“theirunbridleddesires。”NoonebetterthanFabrehasexpoundedtheblindoperationoftheselittlenaturalforces，thebrutalityoftheirmanners，theircannibalism，andwhatwemightcalltheiramorality，wereitpossibletoemployourhumanformulaeoutsideourownhumanworld。
Withthegardener-beetles，ifoneiscrippled，noneofthesameracehaltsorlingers；noneattemptstocometohisaid。Sometimesthepassers-byhastentotheinvalidtodevourhim。”
Intherepublicofthewasps“thegrubsrecognizedasincurablearepitilesslytornfromtheirplaceanddraggedoutofthenest。Woetothesick！theyarehelplessandatonceexpelled。”
Whenthewintercomesallthelarvaearemassacred，andthewholevespinecityendsinahorribletragedy。
Butlifeisawhole，andallconductisgoodwhoseactionsrealizeanobjectandareadaptedtoanend。Ifthereisa“spirit“ofthehive，theinsectalsohasitsmoralityandthewasp’snestits“law。”andtheconductofitsinmates，horriblethoughitmayseemtoFabre，isdoubtlessonlyasubmissiontocertainexigenciesofthatuniversallawwhichmakesnaturea“savagefoster-motherwhoknowsnothingofpity。”
Thesecrueltiesparticularlyshowusthatoneofthefunctionsoftheinsectinnatureistopresideoverthedisappearanceandalsotheultimatemetamorphosesoftheleast“remnantsoflife。”
Eachhasitsprovidentialhygienicfunction。
TheNecrophori，“thefirstofthetinyscavengersofthefields。”burycorpsesinordertoestablishtheirprogenyinthem；inthespaceofafewhoursanenormousbody，amole，awater-rat，oranadder，willcompletelydisappear，buriedundertheearth。
TheOnthophagipurifythesoil，“dividingallfilthintotinycrumbs，riddingtheearthofitsdefilements。”
Averysmallbeetle，theTrox，hastheimprescriptiblemissionofpurgingtheearthoftherabbits’furrejectedbythefox。10/5。
Herestructureexplainsthefunction。
Theintestineofthegruboftherose-beetle“isaveritabletrituratingmill，whichtransformsvegetablematterintomould；inamonthitwilldigestavolumeofmatterequaltoseveralthousandtimestheinitialvolumeofthegrub。”
TheintestineoftheScarabaeiisprolongedtoaprodigiouslengthinorderto“draintheexcrementtothelastatominitsmanifoldcircuits。Thesheephasfinelydividedthevegetablematter；thegrub，thatincomparabletriturator，reducesittothefinestpossibleconsistency；notamorselisleftinwhichthemagnifyingglasscanrevealafibre。”
Tofulfilitshygienicmissiontheinsectarrivesindueseason，andmultipliesitslegions；“therearetwentythousandeggsintheflanksofthehousefly；immediatelytheyarehatchedthesetwentythousandmaggotssettowork，sothatLinnaeushassaidthatthreeflieswouldsufficetodevourthebodyofahorseoralion。”
Feedingonlyuponwheat，asingleweevil，theCalendarbeetle，producestenthousandeggs，whenceissueasmanylarvae，eachofthemdevouringitsgrain。
Inallspeciesthenumberofbirthsisatfirstexaggerated，forall，theobscure，thenameless，themostdestructive，ourpestsaswellasourmostprecioushelpers，havetheirutilityandtheirparttoplayinthegeneralschemeoflife，araisond’êtreintheeternalrenewalofthings，whichiswithoutreferencetothevexatiousorbeneficentqualityoftheirbehaviourtous。
Eachhasitsrankassigned，eachhasitstask，toonetheflower，toanothertheroots，toathirdtheleaves；thevinehasitscaterpillars，itsbeetles，itsbutterflies；theclover，itsmothsandmites。10/6。
Manseeshimselfforcedtosubmittothem，andspendshimselfinvaineffortstocarryonanoftenuselesscampaign。Nothingseemstoaffectthem，neitherdrought，norrain，noreventheseverestcold；andtheeggsandlarvae，organizationsapparentlydelicateintheextreme，areoftenmoretenaciousoflifethantheadults。Fabrehasprovedthis：letthetemperaturesuddenlyfalltwentydegrees：theeggsofGeotrupesandthelarvaeofthecockchaferortherose-beetleenduresuchvicissitudesoftemperaturewithimpunity；contractedandstiffenedintolittlemassesofice，butnotdestroyed，theyreviveinspringnolessthantheeelfry，therotifers，orthetardigrades。Onecanscarcelybelievethatlifestillpersistsinastateofsuspenseonlyintheselittlefrozencreatures，whoseorganizationisalreadysocomplicated。
Then，ofasudden，theravagersdisappear；moreoftenthannotnoneknowshoworwhy；deliveranceisathand。Whatindeedwouldbecomeoftheworldwerenothingtomoderatesuchfecundity？
Again，eachspecieshasitstrialswhichappearintimetomoderateitssurplusage，andFabreexpoundsforus，withasternphilosophy，theterribledevicesbywhichthisrepressioniseffected。
Eachhasitsappointedenemy，whichlivesuponitoritsoffspring，andwhichinturnbecomesthepreyofsomesmallercreature。Thegentleitself，“thekingofthedead。”hasitsparasites。WhileitswimsinthedeliquescenceofputrefyingfleshaminuteChalcidianperforatesitsskinwithanimperceptiblewound，andintroducesitsterribleeggs，whenceinthefuturewillissuelarvaewhichto-morrowwilldevourthedevourersofto-day。
Noneexistssavetothedetrimentofothers。Everywhere，eveninthesmallest，wefind“anatrociousactivity，acunningbrigandage。”asavageextermination，whichdominatesavastunconsciousworldofwhichthefinalresultistherestorationofequilibrium。10/7。Itisonlyontheseantagonisms，ontheenemiesofourenemies，thatwecanfoundanyhopeofseeingthisorthatpestdisappear。AsmallHymenopteron，almostinvisible，theMicrogasterglomeratus，isentrustedwiththedestructionofthecabbagecaterpillar；thecochinealwageswartothedeathuponthegreen-
fly；theAmmophilaisthepredestinedmurdereroftheharvestNoctuela，whosemisdeedsinabeetrootcountryoftenamounttoadisaster。TheOdynerushasforitsinstinctivemissiontoarresttheexcessivemultiplicationofalucerneweevil，nolessthantwenty-fourofwhosegrubsarenecessarytoreartheoffspringofthebrigand，andnearlysixtygadfliesaresacrificedtothegrowthofasingleBembex。
Everywherecraftisorganizedtotriumphoverforce。Aroundeachnesttheparasiteslieinwait，“atrociousassassinsofthechildinthecradle，watchingatthedoorsforthefavourableoccasiontoestablishtheirfamilyattheexpenseofothers。Theenemypenetratesthemostinaccessiblefortress；eachhasitstacticsofwar，devisedwithaterribleart。Ofthenestandthecocoonofthevictimtheintrudermakesitsownnest，itsowncocoon，andinthefollowingyear，insteadofthemasterofthehouse，hewillemergefromundergroundastheusurpingbandit，thedevoureroftheinhabitant。”
Whilethecicadaisabsorbedinlayinghereggsaninsignificantflylabourstodestroythem。Howexpressthecalmaudacityofthispigmy，followingcloselyafterthecolossus，stepbystep；severalatoncealmostunderthetalonsofthegiant，whichcouldcrushthemmerelybytreadingonthem？Butthecicadarespectsthem，ortheywouldlongagohavedisappeared。”10/8。
FabrethusagreeswithPasteur，whointheworldoftheinfinitelylittleshowsusthesameantagonisms，thesamevitalcompetition，thesameeternalmovementoffluxandreflux，thesamewhirlpooloflife，whichisextinguishedonlytoreappear：tendingalwaystowardsanequilibriumwhichisincessantlydestroyed。Anditisthankstothisbalancingthattheintegralofliferemainseverywhereandalwaysalmostidenticalwithitself。
CHAPTER11。HARMONIESANDDISCORDS。
Suchindeedistheeconomyofnaturethatsecretrelationsandastonishingconcordancesexistthroughoutthewholevastweftofthings。Therearenolooseends；everythingisconsequentandordered。Hiddenharmoniesmeetandmingle。
Amongtheterebinthlice，“whenthepopulationismature，thegallisripealso，sofullydothecalendarsoftheshrubandtheanimalcoincide“；andthemortalenemyoftheHalictus，thesinistermidgeofthespringtime，ishatchedattheverymomentwhenthebeebeginstowanderinsearchofalocationforitsburrows。
ThefantastichistoryofthelarvaeoftheAnthraxfurnishesuswithoneofthemostsuggestiveexamplesofthesestrangecoincidences。10/9。
TheAnthraxisablackfly，whichsowsitseggsonthesurfaceofthenestsoftheMason-bee，whoselarvaeareatthemomentreposingintheirsilkencocoons。
“ThegruboftheAnthraxemergesandcomestolifeunderthetouchofthesunlight。Itscradleistheruggedsurfaceofthecell；itiswelcomedintotheworldbyaliterallystonyharshness……Obstinatelyitprobesthechinksandporesofthenest；glidesoverit，crawlsforward，returns，andrecommences。Theradicleofthegerminatingseedisnotmorepersevering，notmoredeterminedtodescendintothecooldampearth。Whatinspirationimpelsit？Whatcompassguidesit？Whatdoestherootknowofthefertilityofthesoil？……Thenurseling，theseedoftheAnthrax，isbarelyvisible，almostescapingthegazeofthemagnifyingglass；amereatomcomparedtothemonstrousfoster-motherwhichitwilldraintotheveryskin。Itsmouthisasucker，withneitherfangsnorjaws，incapableofproducingthesmallestwound；itsucksinplaceofeating，anditsattackisakiss。”Itpractises，inshort，amostastonishingart，“anothervariationofthemarvellousartoffeedingonthevictimwithoutkillingituntiltheendofthemeal，inorderalwaystohaveastoreoffreshmeat。DuringthefourteendaysthroughwhichthenourishmentoftheAnthraxcontinues，theaspectofthelarvaremainsthatoflivingflesh；untilallitssubstancehasbeenliterallytransferred，byakindoftranspiration，tothebodyofthenurseling，andthevictim，slowlyexhausted，drainedtothelastdrop，whileretainingtotheendjustenoughlifetoproverefractorytodecomposition，isreducedtothemereskin，which，beinginsufflated，puffsitselfoutandresumesthepreciseformofthelarva，therebeingnowhereapointofescapeforthecompressedair。”
NowthegruboftheAnthrax“appearspreciselyattheexactmomentwhenthelarvaoftheChalicodomaisattackedbythatlethargywhichprecedesmetamorphosis，andwhichrendersitinsensible，andduringwhichthesubstanceofthegrubabouttobetransfiguredintoabeecommencestobreakdownandresolveitselfintoaliquidpulp，fortheprocessesoflifealwaysliquefythegrubbeforeachievingtheperfectinsect。”11/2。
Hereagainthetime-tablescoincide。
ButitisperhapsinthecelebratedOdysseyofthegruboftheSitaristhatFabremosturgentlyclaimsouradmirationforthemarvellousandincomprehensiblewisdomoftheUnconscious！
Letusrecapitulatetheunheard-ofseriesofevents，theinextricablecomplicationofcircumstances，whicharerequiredtoconditionthelowlylifeofaSitaris。
Inthefirstplace，thismicroscopiccreaturemustbeprovidedwithtalons，orhowcoulditadheretothefleeceoftheAnthophora，onwhichitmustliveasparasiteforacertainlengthoftime？
Thenagain，itmusttransferitselffromthemaletothefemalebeeinthecourseofitstravelsabroad，oritsdestinywouldbecutshort。
Again，itmustnotmisstheopportunityofembarkingitselfupontheeggjustatthepropitiousmoment。
Thenthevolumeofthiseggmustbesocalculatedastorepresentanallowanceoffoodexactlyproportionedtothedurationofthefirstphaseofitsmetamorphosis。Moreover，thequantityofhoneyaccumulatedbythebeemustsufficeforthewholeoftheremainingcycleofitslarvalexistence。
Letasinglelinkofthechainbebroken，andtheentirespeciesoftheSitarisisnolongerpossible。
Ifeveryspecieshasitslaw；iftheGeotrupesremainfaithfultofilth，althoughexperienceshowsthattheycanaccommodatethemselvesequallywelltotheputrefactionofdecayedleaves；ifthepredatoryspecies——theCerceris，theSphex，theAmmophila——resortonlytoonespeciesofquarrytonourishtheirlarvae，althoughthesesamelarvaeacceptallindifferently，itisonaccountofthosesuperioreconomiclawsandsecretalliancestheprofoundreasonsforwhichasaruleescapeusorarebeyondthescopeofourtheories。
Forallthingsareproducedandinterlockedbytheeternalnecessity；linkengagesinlink，andlifeisonlyaplexusofsolitaryforcesalliedamongthemselvesbytheirverynature，theconditionofwhichisharmony。Andthewholesystemoflivingcreaturesappearstous，throughtheworkofthegreatnaturalist，asanimmenseorganism，asortofvastphysiologicalapparatus，ofwhichallthepartsaremutuallyinterdependent，andasnarrowlycontrolledasallthecellsofthehumanbody。
Fabregoesontopresentuswithotherfacts，whichatafirstglanceappearhighlyimmoral；Iamreferringtocertainphasesofsexualloveamongtheloweranimals，andhisghoulishrevelationsconcerningthehorriblebridalsoftheArachnoids，theMillepoda，andtheLocustidae。
TheDecticussurrendersonlytoasingleexploitoflove；avictimofits“strangegenesics“；utterlyexhaustedbythefirstembrace，empty，drained，extenuated，motionlessinallitsmembers，utterlywornout，itquicklysuccumbs，amerebrokensimulacrum，likethemiserableloverofamonstroussuccubuswho“loveshimenoughtodevourhim。”11/3。
Thefemalescorpiondevoursthemale；“allisgonebutthetail！“
ThefemaleSpiderdelightsinthefleshofherlover。
Thecricketalsodevoursasmallportionofher“debonair“admirer。
TheEphippigera“excavatesthestomachofhercompanionandeatshim。”
Butthehorrorofthesenuptialtragediesissurpassedbytheinsatiablelust，themonstrousconjunction，thebestialdelightsoftheMantis，that“ferociousspectre，neverweariedofembraces，munchingthebrainsofitsspouseattheverymomentofsurrenderingherflankstohim。”11/4。
Whencethesestrangediscords，thesefrightfulappetites？
Fabrerefersustotheremotestages，tothedepthsofthegeologicalnight，anddoesnothesitatetoregardthesecrueltiesas“remnantsofatavism。”thelingeringfuriesofanancientstrain，andheventuresaprofoundandplausibleexplanation。
TheLocusts，theCrickets，andtheScolopendraearethelastrepresentativesofaveryancientworld，ofanextinctfauna，ofanearlycreation，whoseperverseandunbridledinstinctsweregivenfreevent，whencreationwasasyetbutdimlyoutlined，“stillmakingtheearliestessaysofitsorganizingforces“；whentheprimitiveOrthoptera，“theobscureforebearsofthoseofto-day，were“sowingthewildoatsofafranticrut，“inthecolossalforestsofthesecondaryperiod；bythebordersofthevastlakes，fullofcrocodiles，andantediluvianmarshes，whichinProvencewereshadedbypalms，andstrangeferns，andgiantLycopodia，neverasyetenlivenedbythesongofabird。
Thesemonstrosities，inwhichlifewasmakingitsessays，weresubjecttosingularphysicalnecessities。Thefemalereignedalone；themaledidnotasyetexist，orwastoleratedonlyforthesakeofhisindispensableassistance。Butheservedalsoanotherandlessobviousend；hissubstance，oratleastsomeportionofhissubstance，wasanalmostnecessaryingredientintheactofgeneration，somethinginthenatureofanecessaryexcitantoftheovaries，“ahorribletitbit。”whichcompletedandconsummatedthegreattaskoffecundation。Such，inFabre’seyes，wastheimperiousphysiologicalreasonoftheserudelaws。Thisiswhytheloveofthemalesisalmostequivalenttotheirsuicide；theGardener-beetle，attackedbythefemale，attemptstoflee，butdoesnotdefendhimself；“itisasthoughaninvinciblerepugnancepreventshimfromrepulsingorfromeatingtheeater。”Inthesamewaythemalescorpion“allowshimselftobedevouredbyhiscompanionwithouteverattemptingtoemployhissting。”andtheloveroftheMantis“allowshimselftobenibbledtopieceswithoutanyrevoltonhispart。”
Astrangemorality，butnotmorestrangethantheorganicpeculiaritieswhichareitsfoundation；astrangeworld，butperhapssomedistantsunmaylightotherslikeit。
TheseterriblecreaturesareasourceofdismaytoFabre。IfallthingsproceedfromanunderlyingReason，ifthedivineharmonyofthingstestifieseverywheretoasovereignLogic，howshalltheproofsofitsexcellenceanditssovereignwisdombefoundinsuchthingsasthese？
Farfromattributingtotheorderoftheuniverseasupposedperfection，farfromconsideringnatureasthemostimmediateexpressionoftheGoodandtheBeautiful，inthewordsofTolstoy11/5。，heseesinitonlyaroughsketchwhichahiddenGod，hidden，butcloseathand，andlivingeternallypresentintheheartofHiscreatures，isseekingtotestandtoshape。
LivingalwayswithhiseyesuponsomesecretofthemarvelsofGod，whomheseesineverybush，ineverytree，“althoughHeisveiledfromourimperfectsenses“11/6。，thevilestinsectrevealstohim，intheleastofitsactions，afragmentofthisuniversalIntelligence。
Whatmarvelsindeedwhenseenfromabove！ButconsidertheReverse——whatantinomies，whatflagrantcontradictions！Whatpoorandsordidmeans！AndFabreisastonished，inspiteofallhiscandidfaith，thatthefatalityofthebellyshouldhaveenteredintotheDivineplan，andthenecessityofallthoseatrociousactsinwhichtheUnconsciousdelights。CouldnotGodensurethepreservationoflifebylessviolentmeans？Whythesesubterraneandramas，theseslowassassinations？WhyhasEvil，THEPOISONOF
THEGOOD11/7。，creptineverywhere，eventotheoriginoflife，likeaneternalParasite？
Withinthisfatalcircle，inwhichthedevourerandthedevoured，theexploiterandtheexploited，leadaneternaldance，canwenotperceivearayoflight？
Forwhatisitthatwesee？
Thevictimsarenotmerelythepredestinedvictimsoftheirpersecutors。
Theyseekneithertostrugglenortoescapenortoevadetheinevitable；
onemightsaythatbyakindofrenunciationtheyofferthemselvesupwholeasasacrifice！
Whatirresistibledestinyimpelsthebeetomeethalf-waythePhilanthus，itsterribleenemy！TheTarantula，whichcouldsoeasilywithstandthePompilus，whenthelatterrashlycarrieswarintoitslair，doesnotdisturbitself，andneverdreamsofusingitspoisonedfangs。NotlessabsoluteisthesubmissionofthegrasshopperbeforetheMantis，whichitselfhasitstyrant，theTachytes。
Similarlythosewhichhavereasontofearfortheiroffspring，ifnotforthemselves，donothingtoevadetheenemywhichwatchesforthem；theMegachile，althoughitcouldeasilydestroyit，isindifferenttothepresenceofamiserablemidge，“thebanditwhoisalwaysthere，meditatingitscrime“；theBembex，confrontedwiththeTachinarius，cannotcontrolitsterror，butneverthelessresignsitself，whilesqueakingwithfright。
IfeachcreatureiswhatitisonlybecauseitisanecessarypartoftheplanofthesupremeArtisanwhohasconstructedtheuniverse，whyhavesometherightoflifeanddeathandotherstheterribledutyofimmolation？
Donotbothobey，notthegloomylawofcarnage，butakindofsovereignandexquisitesacrifice，somesortofunconsciousideaofsubmissiontoasuperiorandcollectiveinterest？
Thishypothesis，whichwasonedaysuggestedtoFabrebyafriendofgreatintellectualculture11/8。，charmedandinterestedhimkeenly。Inoticedthathewasmorethanusuallyattentive，andheseemedtometobesuddenlyreassuredandappeased。Forhimitwasasthoughafaintrayoflighthadsuddenlyfallenamongtheseimpenetrableanddistressingproblems。
Itseemedtohimthatbysettingbeforeoureyesthespectacleofsomanywoes，universallydistributed，anddoubtlessnecessary，woeswhichdonotspareeventhehumblestofcreatures，theSovereignIntelligenceintendstoexhortustoexamineourselvestrulyandtodisposeustogreaterloveandpityandresignation。
Allhisworkishighlyandessentiallyreligious；andwhilehehasgivenusatastefornature，hehasnotalsoendeavouredtogiveus，accordingtotheexpressionofBossuet“thetasteforGod。”oratleastasenseofthedivine？Inopposingthedoctrineofevolution，whichreducestheanimalworldtothemerevirtualitiesofthecell；inrevealingtousallthesemarvelswhichseemdestinedalwaystoescapehumancomprehension；finally，byreferringusmorenecessarilythanevertotheunfathomableproblemofourorigins，Fabrehasreopenedthedoorofmystery，thedoorofthedivineUnknown，inwhichthereligionofmenmustalwaysrenewitself。Weshouldbelittlehisthought，weshoulddwarfthemanhimself，werewetoseektoconfinetoanyparticularthesishisspiritualisticconceptionoftheuniverse。
FabrerecognizesandadoresinnatureonlythegreateternalPower，whoseimprintiseverywhererevealedbythephenomenaofmatter。
Forthisreasonhehasallhisliferemainedfreefromallsuperstitionandhasbeencompletelyindifferenttodogmasandmiracles，whichtohismindimplynotonlyaprofoundignoranceofscience，butalsoagrossandcompletemiscomprehensionofthedivineIntelligence。Hekneelsuponthegroundoramongthegrassesonlythemorecloselytoadorethatforce，thesourceofallorder，theintuitiveknowledgeofwhich，innateinallcreatures，eveninthetinyimmovablemindsofanimals，ismerelyamagnificentandgratuitousgift。TheofficeinwhichheeagerlycommunicatesisthatgloriousandformidableMassinwhichtheraggedsower，“nobleinhistatters，apontiffinshabbysmall-clothes，solemnasaGod，blessesthesoil，moremajesticthanthebishopinhisgloryatEaster-tide。”11/9。Itistherethathefindshis“Ideal。”intheincenseoftheperfumes“whicharesoftlyexhaledfromtheshapelyflowers，fromtheircensersofgold。”intheheartofallcreatures，“chaffinchandsiskin，skylarkandgoldfinch，tinychoristers“pipingandtrilling，“elaboratingtheirmotets“tothegloryofHimwhogavethemvoiceandwingsonthefifthdayofGenesis。Hefraternizeswithall，withhisdogsandhiscats，histametortoise，andeventhe“slimyandswollenfrog“；the“Philosopher“oftheHarmas，whosemurkyeyeshelovestointerrogateashepaceshisgarden“bythelightofthestars“；persuadedthatallareaccomplishingausefulwork，andthatallcreatures，fromthehumblestinsectwhichhasonlynibbledaleaf，ordisplacedafewgrainsofsand，tomanhimself，areanointedwiththesamechrismofimmortality。
Andashehasalwayssetthepleasuresofstudybeforeallothers，hecanimaginenogreaterrecompenseafterdeaththantoobtainfromheavenpermissionstilltocontinueintheirmidst，duringeternity，hislifeoflabourandeffort。
CHAPTER12。THEINTERPRETATIONOFNATURE。
WehavenotedtheessentialfeaturesofhispreciseandunfailingvisionandthevalueofthedocumentswhichrecordtheworkofFabre，butthewritermeritsnolessattentionthantheobserverandthephilosopher。
Inthedomainofthingspositive，itisnotalwayssufficienttogatherthefacts，torecordthem，andtocodifyinbareformulaetheresultsofinquiry。Doubtlesseveryessentialdiscoveryisabletostandbyitself；inwhatwouldaninventorprofit，forexample，byraisinghimselftotheleveloftheartist？“Forthetheoremluciditysuffices；truthissuesnakedfromthebottomofawell。”
Butthemannerofspeaking，describing，anddepictingisnonethelessanintegralpartofthetruthwhenitisamatterofexpoundingandtransmittingthelatter。Toexpressitfeeblyisoftentocompromiseit，todiminishit；andeventobetrayit。Therearetermswhichsaybetterthanotherswhathastobesaid。“Wordshavetheirphysiognomy；iftherearelifelesswords，therearealsopicturesqueandrichly-colouredwords，comparabletothebrushstrokeswhichscatterflecksoflightonthegreybackgroundofthepicture。”Thereareparticulartermsofexpression，felicitieswhichpresentthingsinabetterlight，andthewritermustsearchinhismemory，hisimagination，andhisheart，forthefittingaccent；fortheflexibilityoflanguageandthewealthofwordswhichareneedfulifhewouldfullysucceedintheportrayaloflivingcreatures；ifhewouldtenderthelivingtruth，reproduceinallitslightandshadethespectacleoftheworld，arousetheimagination，andfaithfullyinterpretthemysteriousspiritwhichimpregnatesmatterandisreflectedinthought。
Theartistthencomesforwardtoco-ordinateallthesescatteredfragments，toassemblethem，tobreathevitalityintothem，torestoretheseinerttruthstolife。
ButwhatastrangemannerofworkingwasFabre’s；whatacuriousmethodofcomposition！Howeverfullofideashismindmightbe，hewasincapableofexpressingthemifheremainedinoneplaceandassumedtheordinarypreliminaryattitudeofamanpreparingtowrite。Seatedandmotionless，hislimbsatrest，peninhand，withablankpagebeforehim，itseemedtohimthatallhisfacultiesbecameofasuddenparalysed。Hemustfirstmoveabout；activityhelpedhimtopursuehisideas；itwasinactionthatherecoveredhisardouranduncoveredthesourcesofinspiration。Justasheneverobservedwithoutenthusiasm，sohefounditimpossibletowritewithoutexaltation，anditwaspreciselybecausehesoardentlylovedthetruththathefelthimselfcompelledtoshowitinallitsbeauty。
Movinglikeacircus-horseaboutthegreattableofhislaboratory，hewouldbegintotrampindefatigablyroundandround，sothathisstepshaveworninthetilesoftheflooranineffaceablerecordoftheconcentrictrackinwhichtheymovedincessantlyforthirtyyears。
Hismindwouldgrowclearandactiveashewalked，smokinghispipeand“usinghismarrow-bones。”12/1。Hewasalreadyatwork；hewas“hammering“hisfuturechaptersinhisbrain；fortheideawouldbeallthemorepreciseastheformwasmorefinishedandmoreirreproachable，morecloselyidentifiedwiththethought；hewouldwaituntilthewordquivered，palpitated，andlived；untilthetranscriptionwasnolongeranillusion，aphantom，avisiondevoidofreality，butafaithfulecho，asinceretranslation，afinishedinterpretation，reflectingentirethefundamentalessenceofthething；inaword，aworkofart，aparalleltonature。
Thenonlywouldhesitbeforethelittlewalnut-woodtable“spottedwithinkandscarredwithknife-cuts，justbigenoughtoholdtheinkstand，ahalfpennybottle，andhisopennotebook“：thatsamelittletableatwhich，inotherdays，byforceofmeditation，heachievedhisfirstdegrees。
Thenhewouldbegintowrite，“hispendippednotininkonly“butinhisheart’sblood12/2。；firstofallinordinaryrulednotebooksboundinblackcloth，inwhichhenoted，daybyday，hourbyhour，theobservationsofeverymoment，theresultsofhisexperiments，togetherwithhisthoughtsandreflections。Littlebylittlethosedocumentswouldcometogetherwhichelucidatedandcompletedoneanother，andatlastthebookwaswritten。
Thesenotebooks，thesecopiousrecords，areremarkablefortheregularityofthewritingandtheoftenimpeccablefinishofthefirstdraught。
Althoughhereandtherethesamedataaretranscribedseveraltimesinsuccession，andeachtimestruckthroughwithavigorousstrokeofthepen，therearewholepages，andmanypagestogether，withoutasingleerasure。
Thehandwriting，excessivelysmall——onemightthinkithadbeentracedbythefeetofafly——becomesinlateryearssominutethatonealmostneedsamagnifyingglasstodecipherit。
Thesenotebooksarenotthefinalmanuscript。Theentomologistwouldwriteanewandmoreperfectcopyonloosesheetsofpaper，makingonedraughtafteranother，patientlyfashioninghisstyleandpolishinghiswork，althoughmanypassageswereincludedwithoutrevisionastheywerewritteninthefirstinstance。
Thegreatestmagicianofmodernletters，versedinalltheartificesoftheFrenchlanguage，speakingonedayofFabreandhiswritings，madeinmyhearingtheassertionthathewasnot，properlyspeaking，anartist。Hemightwellbeagreatnaturalist，aveteranofscience，anobserverofgenius，buthewasbynomeansandwouldneverbeawriteraccordingtothecanonsofthecraft。
Buthowmanyothers，likehim，intheirtimeregardedas“pitiableinrespectoftheirlanguage。”charmusto-day，simplybecausetheyweregiftedwithimaginationandthepowerofgivinglifetotheirwork！12/3。
Totellthetruth，Fabreisabsolutelycarelessofallliteraryprocedure，andsolelypreoccupiedwithbringinghisstyleintoharmonywithhisthoughts；heisnotintheleastamanufacturerofliteraryphrases。Thereisnotraceofartisticwritinginhisbooks，anditisonlyhismanneroffeelingandofexpressinghimselfthatmakeshimsodeartous。
Whattouchesusinhimistheaccent，thesimplicity，themeasure，thegoodsense，andtheperfectequilibriumofeachofthesepages：simple，oftencommonplace，evenincorrectortrivial，butsoalive，sohuman，thatthebloodseemstoflowinthem。ItistheloverinFabrethatdrawsustohim；
nothingquitelikehisworkhasbeenseensincethedaysofJeandeLaFontaine。
Hehasliberatedscience；helaughsatthespecialistswhotakerefugebehindtheir“barbarianterminologies。”atthe“jargon“ofthose“whoseetheworldonlythroughthewrongendoftheglass“；attheexaggeratedimportancewhichtheyattributetoinsignificantdetails，thenarrownessofclassifications，andthechaosofsystems；allthatincoherent，remote，andinaccessiblescience，whichhe，onthecontrary，strivestorenderpleasantandattractive。
Thisiswhythegreatscientisthasendeavouredtospeaklikeotherpeople，preferring，totheharshconsonantsoftechnicalphraseswhichsound“likeinsults“orhavetheairof“amagicalinvocation，whichmakecertainscientificworksreadlikesomuchgibberish。”the“naiveandpicturesqueappellation，thefamiliar，trivialname，thepopular，livingtermwhichdirectlyinterpretstheexactsignificationofthehabitsofaninsect，orinformsusfullyofitsdominantcharacteristic，orwhich，atleast，leavesnothingtoconjecture。”
Heconsidersituselessandeveninconvenienttoabandonmanycharmingexpressions，appropriateandsignificantastheyare，whichmaybeborrowedfromthegoodoldFrenchtongue；andinthisheresemblestheimmortaldeJussieu，whoinhisbotanicalclassificationswascarefulnottodiscardtheoldpopulardenominationswhichTheophrastus，Virgil，andLinnaeushadthoughtfittobestowuponplantandtree。
ItisforthesamereasonsthathelovestheProven？altongue；thatbeautifulidiom，thatsuperblanguage，richinmusic，insonorouswords，sosuggestiveandsofullofcolour，manyofwhoseterms，sayingpreciselywhattheyintendtosay，havenoequivalentinFrench。Hehaslearnedthelanguage，andreadsit：inparticularRoumanille，whoseeasy，familiarstylepleaseshimbetterthanthegrandiloquenceofMistral，althoughhedelightsalsoinCalendal，whoselyricalpowersfillhimwithenthusiasm。
>Fromthisancienttongue，whichwasearlyasfamiliartohimastheFrench，heborrowedcertainmannerisms，certaintricksofstyle，certainneologisms，andalso，tosomeextent，hissimplicityofmannerandthecadenceofhisprose。
Itwasnotwithoutdifficultythatheattainedthismastery。Measurethegulfbetweenhisfirstvolumesandhislast；inthefirstthestyleisslightlynervelessandindefinite：itwasonlyashegraduallyadvancedinhiscareerthatheacquiredwhatmaybecalledhisfinalmanner，orachieved，inhisnarratives，aperfectliterarystyle。Themostsubstantiallyconstructed，themosthappilyexpressedofhispageswerewrittenprincipallyinhisextremeoldage。Notonlyistherenosignoffailinginthese，butinhislatest“Souvenirs“theperfectionofformisperhapsevenmoreremarkablethanthewealthofmatter。
Howvitallyhisscrupulousrecordsimpressthemind’seye；howfirmlytheyestablishthemselvesinthememory！
EvenifonehasneverseenthePelopaeus，onereadilyconceivesanimpressionof“herwasp-likecostume，andcurvingabdomen，suspendedattheendofalongthread。”Whatexactitudeinthissnapshot，takenatthemomentwhentheinsectisoccupiedinscoopingoutofthemirethelumpofmudintendedfortheconstructionofhernest：“likeaskilledhousekeeper，withherclothingcarefullytuckedupthatitmaynotbesoiled，thewingsvibrating，thelimbsrigidlystraightened，theblackabdomenwellraisedontheendofitsyellowstalk，sherakesthemudwiththepointsofhermandibles，skimmingtheshiningsurface。”12/4。
Hedraws，inpassing，thischarmingsketchofthegadfly，thepestofhorses，whichnourishesitselfwiththeirblood：
“Gadfliesofseveralspeciesusedtotakerefugeunderthesilkendomeofmyumbrella，andtheretheywouldquietlyrest，onehere，onethere，onthetightlystretchedfabric；Irarelylackedtheircompanywhentheheatwasoverpowering。Towhileawaythehoursofwaiting，Iusedtolovetowatchtheirgreatgoldeneyes，whichwouldshinelikecarbunclesonthevaultedceilingofmyshelter；Iusedtolovetowatchthemslowlychangetheirstations，whentheexcessiveheatofsomepointoftheceilingwouldforcethemtomovealittle。”12/5。
WefollowallthemanoeuvresoftheBalaninus，theacorn-weevil，“buryingherdrill“which“operatesbymeansoflittlebites。”Thenarratorcallsourattentiontotheslightestepisodes，eventothoseaccidentswhichsometimessurprisetheworkerinthecourseofherlabours；when，withtherostrumburieddeepintheacorn，herfeetsuddenlylosetheirhold。Thentheunhappycreature，unabletofreeherself，findsherselfsuspendedintheair，atrightanglestoherproboscis，farfromanyfootholdorpointofvantage，attheextremityofherdisproportionatelylongpike，that“fatalstake。”12/6。
Asforthepoplar-weevil，wecanalmostseeitmoving“inthesubtlestequilibrium，clingingwithitshookedtalonstotheslipperysurfaceoftheleaf“；wewatchallthedetailsofitsmethodsandtheprogressofitslabours。Weseetheflexedleafassumetheverticalundertheawl-strokewhichtheinsectappliestothepedicle，“when，partiallydeprivedofsap，theleafbecomesmoreflexible，moremalleable；itisinasensepartlyparalysed，onlyhalfalive。”Thenwefollowtherollingprocess；“theimperturbabledeliberationoftheworkerasitrollsitscigar，whichfinallyhangsperpendicularlyattheendofthebentandwoundedstem。”
12/7。
Fabre，likeatrueartist，findsallsortsofexpressionstodescribethetiny，fragileeggsofhisinsects；littleshiningpearls，deliciouscoffersofnickeloramber，miniaturepotsoftranslucidalabaster，“whichwemightthinkwerestolenfromthecupboardofafairy。”
Heopenstheenchantedalcoveswhereinthepunygrubslieslumbering，“fat，roundedpuppets“；thetenderlarvaewhich“gapeandswingtheirheadstoandfro“whenthemotherreturnstothenestwithhertoothsomemouthfulorhercropswollenwithhoney。
Whatcompassion，whattenderness，whatsensitivenessintheaffectingpictureofthemotherHalictus，abandoned，deprivedofheroffspring，bewilderedandlost，whentheterriblespringflyhasdestroyedherhouse：
bald，emaciated，shabby，careworn，alreadydoggedbythesmallgreylizard！
12/8。
Thetragedyofthewasps’nestattheapproachofthefirstchillsofwinteristhefinalfragmentofanepic。Atfirstthereisasortofuneasiness，“aspeciesofindifferenceandanxietywhichbroodsoverthecity“；alreadyithasapresentimentofcomingmisfortune，ofanapproachingcatastrophe。Presentlyawildexcitementensues；thefoster-
mothers，“frightened，fierce，andrestless。”asthoughsuddenlyattackedbyanincomprehensibleinsanity，conceiveanaversionfortheyoung；“theneutersextirpatethelarvaeanddragthemoutofthenest。”andthedramaofdestructiondrawstoaclosewith“thefinalcatastrophe；theinfirmandthedyingaredismembered，eviscerated，dissectedinaheapinthecatacombsbymaggots，woodlice，andcentipedes。”Finallythemothcomesuponthescene，itslarvae“attackingthedwellingitself；gnawinganddestroyingthejoistsandrafters，untilallisreducedtoafewpinchesofdustandshredsofgreypaper。”12/9。
Whatpicturesqueexpressionsheemploystodepict，bymeansofsomesignificantfeature，thestrikingpeculiaritiesoftheinsectphysiognomy！
“Thegipsywhonightanddayforsevenmonthsgoestoandfrowithherbratsuponherback“istheLycosa，theTarantulawiththeblackstomach，thegreatspiderofthewastes。
ThelarvaofthegreatCapricornis，whichgnawstheinteriorofoldoak-
trees，“leavingbehindit，intheformofdry-rot，therefuseofitsdigestiveprocesses。”is“ascrapofintestinewhicheatsitswayasitgoes。”
In“thathideouslout“theScorpionheshowsusaroughepitomeoftheshapelesshead，thetruncatedfaceofthespider。
TheTachinae，those“brazendiptera“whichswarmonthesunnysandonthewatchforBembexorPhilanthus，inordertoestablishtheiroffspringatitsexpense，“arebanditscladinfustian，theheadwrappedinaredhandkerchief，awaitingthehourofattack！“
TheLanguedocianSphex，sprawlingflatuponthevineleaves，growsdizzywiththeheatandfrisksforverypleasure；“withitsfeetittapsrapidlyonitsresting-place，andthusproducesadrumminglikethatofashowerofrainfallingthicklyontheleaves。”Fabretakesakeendelightintheproductionofthesepictures，atoncesoexactandlifelike；butwemustnotthereforesupposethathismindisincapableofthedetaileddescriptionsnecessitatedbythelaboriousprocessesofminuteanatomy。
Likeallsciences，entomologyhasitsuninterestingaspectswhenweseektostudyitdeeply。YetwithwhatinterestandlucidityhasFabresucceededinexpoundingthecomplexmorphosesoftheobscureandmiserablelarvaoftheSitaris，thecuriousintestineoftheScarabaeus，thesecretofthespawningoftheweevil，andtheingeniousmechanismsofthemusicalinstrumentsoftheDecticusandtheCicada。Withwhatsubtleartheexplainsthesongofthecricket，howthefivehundredprismsoftheserratedbowsetthefourtympanainvibration；andhowthesongissometimesmuffledbyaprocessofmuting。12/10。
Someoftheimagessuggestedtohimbytheformsofanimalsaresobeautifulthatcertainofhisdescriptionsmightwellservetoinspireanartist，orsuggestnewmotivesofdecorationintheartsofenamelling，gem-engraving，jewellery，etc。
Insteadofeternallycopyingancientthings，orseekinginspirationinlifelesstexts，whynotturnourattentiontothenumerousandinterestingmotiveswhicharescatteredallaroundus，whoseoriginalityconsistspreciselyinthefactthattheyhaveneveryetbeenemployed？Whytorturethemindtoproducemorepainfulelaborationsofawkward，frozen，poverty-
strickencombinations，whenNatureherselfisathand，offeringtheinexhaustiblecasketofherlivingmarvels，fulloftheprofoundestlogicandasyetunexamined？
Ifthebeebymeansofthehexagonalprismhasanticipatedallthegeometersintheproblemoftheeconomyofspaceandmatter；iftheEpe？raandthemolluschaveinventedthelogarithmicspiralanditstranscendentproperties；ifallcreatures“inspiredbyanaestheticwhichnothingescapes，achievethebeautiful“12/11。，surelyhumanart，whichcanbutimitateandremember，hasonlytoemploytoitsprofitandtransfigureintoidealimagesthenaturalbeautiessoprofuselyfurnishedbytheUnconscious。
Modernart，influencedmoreespeciallybythesubtleJapanese，isalreadytreadingthispath。
WhatartistcouldeverengraveonraremetalsormodelinprecioussubstancesamorebeautifulsubjectthanthewonderfulpictureoftheTarantulaoffering，atthelengthofherextendedlimbs，herwhitesacofeggstothesun；orthetransparentnymphoftheOnthophagustaurus，“asthoughcarvedfromablockofcrystal，withitswidesnoutanditsenormoushornslikethoseoftheAurochs“？12/12。WhatanundiscoveredsubjecthemightfindinthenymphoftheErgatus12/13。，withitsalmostincorporealgrace，asthoughmadeof“translucentivory，likeacommunicantinherwhiteveils，thearmscrosseduponthebreast；alivingsymbolofmysticresignationbeforetheaccomplishmentofdestiny“；orinthestillmoremysteriousnymphoftheScarabaeussacer，firstofall“amummyoftranslucentamber，maintainedbyitslinencerementsinahieraticpose；
butsoonuponthisbackgroundoftopaz，thehead，thelegs，andthethoraxchangetoasombrered，whiletherestofthebodyremainswhite，andthenymphisslowlytransfigured，assumingthatmajesticcostumewhichcombinestheredofthecardinal’smantlewiththewhitenessofthesacerdotalalb。”
Ontheotherhand，whatSimsorBatemaneverimaginedweirdercaricaturethanthegrotesquelarvaoftheOniticella，withitsextravagantdorsalhump；orthefantasticandalarmingsilhouetteoftheEmpusa，withitsscalybellyraisedcrozierwiseandmountedonfourlongstilts，itspointedface，turned-upmoustaches，greatprominenteyes，anda“stupendousmitre“：
themostgrotesque，themostfantasticfreaksthatcreationcaneverhaveevolved？12/14。
CHAPTER13。THEEPICOFANIMALLIFE。
AlthoughinhisportraitsanddescriptionsFabreissimpleandexact，andsofullofnaturalgeniality；althoughhecansohandlehiswordsastorenderthem“adequate“toreproducethemovingpicturesofthetinycreaturesheobserves，hisstyletouchesahigherlevel，flasheswithcolour，andgrowsrichwithimagerywhenheseekstointerpretthefeelingswhichanimatethem：theirloves，theirbattles，theircunningschemes，andthepursuitoftheirprey；allthatvastdramawhicheverywhereaccompaniesthetravailofcreation。
ItishereinparticularthatFabreshowsuswhathorizons，asyetalmostunexplored，whatprofoundandinexhaustibleresourcesscienceisabletoofferpoetry。
Thebreakingofeggorchrysalidisinitselfamovingevent；fortoattaintothelightisforallthesecreatures“aprodigioustravail。”
Thehourofspringhassounded。Atthecallofthefield-cricket，theheraldofthespring，thegermsthatslumberinnymphorchrysalishavebrokenthroughtheirspell。
Whathasteandingenuityarerequiredtoemergefromthenataldarkness，tounwraptheswaddling-bands，tobreakthesubterraneanshells，todemolishthewaxenbulkheads，toperforatethesoilortoescapefromprisonsofsilk！
Thewoodlandbug，whoseeggisamasterpiece，inventsIknownotwhatmagicalcentre-bit，whatcuriouspieceoflocksmith’swork，inordertounlockitsnatalcasketandachieveitsliberty。
Fordaysthegrasshopper“buttsitsheadagainsttheroughnessofthesoil，andwarsuponthepebbles；bydintoffranticwrigglingitescapesfromthewomboftheearth，burstsitsoldcoat，andistransfigured，openingitseyestothelight，andleapingforthefirsttime。”
TheBombyxofthepine-tree“decksitsbrowwithpointsofdiamond，spreadsitswings，anderectsitsplumes，andshakesoutitsfleecetoflyonlyinthedarkness，towedthesamenight，andtodieonthemorrow。”
Whatmarvellousinventions，whatmachinery，whatincrediblecontrivances，“inorderthatatinyflycanemergefromunderground“！
TheAnthraxassumesapanoplyoftrepans，anassortmentofgimletsandknives，harpoonsandgrapnels，inordertoperforateitsceilingofcement；
thenthelugubriousblackflyappears，allmoistasyetwiththehumoursofthelaboratoryoflife，steadiesitselfuponitstremblinglegs，driesitswings，quitsitssuitofarmour，andtakesflight。”