Theselastarenotalwaysthemostscholarlynorthemostlearnednorthemostpatient，buttheyarethosewhopossessinahighdegreethatspecialvision，thatgift，properlyspeakingpoetic，whichisknownastheclinicaleye，whichatthefirstglanceperceivesandconfirmsthediagnosisinallitsdetail。
Fabrehasamindpropitioustosuchprocesses；andif，bychance，circumstanceshaddirectedhisattentiontomedicine，thatsciencewhichisbaseduponanabundantprovisionoffacts，butinwhichgoodsenseandakindofdivinationplayastillwiderpart，thereisnodoubtthathewouldhavebeencapableofbecomingashininglightinthisnewarena。
HewasfullofadmirationforthatotherillustriousVauclusian，Fran？oisRaspail7/16。，whosemedicalgeniusanticipatedPasteurandalltheconceptionsofmodernmedicine。Itwouldseemthathefoundinhimhisowntemper，hisownfashionofseeingandrepresentingthings。HelovedRaspail’sbooksandhisprescriptions，fullofreasonandamostjudiciousgoodsense，distrustingforhimselfandforhisfamilythecomplicatedformulaeandcunningremediesofanarttooconsideredandstillunproved。
AtCarpentras，whilehisfirst-born，émile，washoveringbetweenlifeanddeath，andthephysicianwhocametoseehim，“beingattheendofhisresources。”didnothingmoreforhimandsoonceasedtocome，thinkingthatthechildwouldnotlasttillthemorrow，FabreflewtotheworksofRaspail。
“Isearchedtodiscoverwhathismaladywas。Ifoundit，andhewastreateddayandnightaccordingly。To-dayheisconvalescent；andhisappetitehasreturned。Ibelieveheissaved，andIshallsay，likeAmbroiseParé，’I
havenursedhim；Godhascuredhim。’“7/17。
Theepisodewhichherelates，when，attheprimaryschoolofAvignon，aretorthadjustburst，“spurtinginalldirectionsitscontentsofvitriol。”rightinthemidstofthesuddenlyinterruptedchemistrylesson，andwhen，thankstohispromptaction，hesavedthesightofoneofhiscomrades，doeshonourtohisinitiativeandpresenceofmind。7/18。
While“allphysiciansshouldbowbeforethefactswhichheexcelsindiscovering“7/19。，hehasalsobeenabletomakedirectapplicationofthemarvelsofentomologytosomeoftheproblemsofhygieneandmedicine。
Hehasshownthattheirritantpoisonsecretedbycertaincaterpillars，“whichsetsthefingerswhichhandlethemonfire。”isnothingbutawasteproductoftheorganism，aderivativeofuricacid；hedoesnothesitatetoperformpainfulexperimentsonhimselfinordertofurnishtheproofofhistheory；andheexplainsthusthecuriouscasesofdermatitiswhichareoftenobservedamongsilkworm-breeders。7/20。Heprovestheuselessnessofourmeat-safesofmetallicgauze，intendedtopreservemeatagainstcontamination，andtheefficacyofamereenvelopeofpaper，notonlytopreservemeatfromflies，butalsoourgarmentsfromtheclothes-moth。
7/21。HerecommendsthecuriousProven？alrecipe，whichconsistsinboilingsuspectedmushroomsinsaltandwaterbeforeeatingthem。Finallyhesuggeststomembersofthemedicalprofessionthattheymightperhapsextractheroicremediesfromthesetreacherousvegetables。7/22。
Hehadneedofthatindefiniteleisurewhichhadhithertobeensowhollylacking，fortheeventsofephemerallivesoccuratindeterminatehours，atunexpectedmoments，andareofbriefduration。
So，attentivetotheirleastmovements，Fabregoesforthtoobservethemattheearliestbreakofday，inthereddawn，whenthebee“popsherheadoutofheratticwindowtoseewhattheweatheris。”andthespidersofthethicketslieinwaitunderthewhorlsoftheirnets，“whichthetearsofnighthavechangedintochapletsofdewdrops，whosemagicjewellery，sparklinginthesun。”isalreadyattractingmothsandmidges。
Seatedforhoursbeforeasprigofterebinth，hiseye，armedwiththemagnifyingglass，followstheslowmanoeuvresoftheterebinthlouse，whoseproboscis“cunninglydistilsthevenomwhichcausestheleaftoswellandproducesthoseenormoustumours，thosemisshapenandmonstrousgalls，inwhichtheyoungpasstheirperiodofslumber。”
Hewatchesatnight，bythedimlightofalantern，tocopytheScolopendraathertask，seekingtosurprisethesecretofhereggs7/23。；toobservetheCioneconstructinghercapsuleofgoldbeater’sskin，ortheProcessionalcaterpillarstravellingheadtotailalongtheirsatintrail，extinguishinghiscandleonlywhensleepatlastsetshiseyelidsblinking。
Hewillwakeearlytowitnessthefairy-likeresurrectionofthesilkwormmoth7/24。；“inordernottolosethemomentwhenthenymphburstsherswaddling-bands。”orwhenthewingofthelocustissuesfromitssheathand“commencestosprout“；nospectacleintheworldismorewonderfulthanthesightof“thisextraordinaryanatomyinprocessofformation。”theunrollingofthese“bundlesoftissue，cunninglyfoldedandreducedtothesmallestpossiblecompass“intheinsignificantalarstumps，whichgraduallyunfold“likeanimmensesetofsails。”likethe“body-linenoftheprincess“ofthefairy-tale，whichwascontainedinonesinglehemp-
seed。7/25。
InhisHarmasheislikeastrangerdiscoveringanunknownworld；“likeakindlygiantfromSirius，holdingamagnifyingglasstohiseye，retaininghisbreath，lestitshouldoverturnandsweepawaythepigmieswhichheisobserving。”
HispassionforinterrogatingtheSphinxoflife，everywhereandatallmoments，sufficedtofillhisdaysfromoneendoftheyeartotheother。
Whensomedistantsubjectinterestedhim，evenonthemostscorchingdays，hewouldput“hislunchinhispocket，anappleandacrustofbread。”andsitoutinthehotsunlight，accompaniedbyhisdog，Vasco，Tom，orRabbit；
fearingonlythatsomeimportunatethirdpersonmightcomebetweennatureandhimself。
Whenhewalkedinhisgardenhewouldletnothingescapehim；witnessthoseprecisenotesofaneclipseofthesun，andoftheeffectswhichthatphenomenonproducesuponanimallifeasawhole。
Whilehischildrenfollowedtheprogressofthemoonacrossthesunthroughapaneofsmokedglass，heattentivelyobservedallthatoccurredinthecountryside。
“Itisfour；thedaygrowspale；thetemperatureisfresher；thecockscrow，surprisedbythiskindoftwilightwhichcomesbeforethehour。Afewdogsarebaying……Theswallows，numerousbefore，havealldisappeared……acouplehavetakenrefugeinmystudy，onewindowofwhichisopen……whenthenormallightreturnstheywillcomeoutdoorsoncemore……Thenightingale，whichhadsolongimportunedmebyhisinterminablesong，issilentatlast7/26。；theblack-cappedskylarks，whichwerewarblingcontinually，aresuddenlystill……onlytheyounghouse-sparrowsunderthetilesoftheroofaremournfullychirping……Peaceandsilence，thedaylightmorethanhalfgone……IntheHarmasIcannolongerseetheinsectsflying；
Ifindonlyonebeepillagingtherosemary；alllifehasdisappeared。
“Onlyaweevil，theLixus。”whichheisobservinginacage，“continues，stepbystep，withouttheslightestemotion，hisamorousby-play，asthoughnothingunusualwerehappening……Thenightingaleandtheskylarkmaybesilent，oppressedbyfear；thebeemayre-enterherhive；butisaweeviltobeupsetbecausethesunthreatenstogoout？“7/27。
Hewasnolesscuriousconcerningtheresurrectionofthesun，andeverytimehemadeanexcursiontotheVentouxhewascarefulnottomissthisspectacle；settingoutatanearlyhourfromthefootofthemountain，sothathemightseethedawngrowbrightfromthesummitofitsrockymass；
thenthesun，suddenlyrisinginthemorningbreeze，andsettingfire，littlebylittle，totheAlpsofDauphinéandthehillsofComtat；andtheRh？ne，farbelow，slenderasasilverthread。
Hetookinfinitepleasuretooindrinkinghisfillofthesublimeterrorsofthethunderstorm，whichheregardedasoneofthemostmagnificentspectacleswhichnaturecanoffer；notcontentwithobservingitthroughglass，hewouldopenwidethewindowsatnightthebettertoenjoythephosphorescenceoftheatmosphere，theconflagrationoftheclouds，theburstsofthunder，andallthesolemnpompwithwhichthegreatpurifyingphenomenonmanifestsitself。
Butpureobservation，aspractisedbyhispredecessors，RéaumurandHuber，isofteninsufficient，or“furnishesonlyaglimpseofmatters。”
Hehadrecourse，therefore，toartificialobservationofthekindknownasexperimentation，andwemaysaythatFabrewasreallythefirsttoemploytheexperimentalmethodinthestudyofthemindsofanimals。
Nearthefieldofobservation，therefore，isthenaturalist’sworkshop，“theanimallaboratory。”inwhichsuchinductionsasmaybesuggestedbythedoingsandthemovementsoftheinsects“whichroamatlibertyamidstthethymeandlavender“aresubjectedtothetestofexperiment。Itisagreat，silent，isolatedroom，brilliantlylightedbytwowindowsfacingsouth，uponthegarden，oneatleastofwhichisalwayskeptopenthattheinsectsmaycomeandgoatliberty。
Intheglass-toppedboxesofpinewhichoccupyalmosttheentireheightofthewhitewashedwallsarecarefullyarrangedthecollectionssopatientlyamassed；alltheentomologicalfaunaoftheSouthofFrance，andthesea-
shellsoftheMediterranean；anabundantwealthalsoofdiversrarities；
numismaticaltreasuresandfragmentsofpotteryandotherprehistoricaldocuments，ofwhichthenumerousossuariesintheneighbourhoodofSérignan，scatteredhereandthereuponthehills，containmanyspecimens。
Atthetop，crowningthefacadeofglass-toppedcaseslikeanimmensefrieze，isthecolossalherbarium，thefirstvolumesofwhichgobacktotheearlyyouthoftheirowner；alltheflora，bothoftheMidiandtheNorth，thoseoftheplainsandthoseofthemountains，andallthealgaeoffreshandsaltwater。
ButitmustnotbesupposedthatFabreattachesanygreatvaluetothesecollections，enormousthoughthesumoflabourwhichtheyrepresent。Tohimtheyhavebeenameansofeducation，ameansoforganizingandarranginghisknowledge，andnotofsatisfyinganidlecuriosity；nottheamusementofonecontentwiththerindofthings。Inordertoidentifyatfirstsightsuchspecimensasoneencountersandproposestoexamine，onemustfirstofalllearntoobserveandtoseethoroughly，andtoschooltheeyesinthecoloursandformspeculiartoeachindividualspecies。
OnemayfairlycomplainofRéaumur，forexample，thathisknowledgewasuncertainandincomplete。Toooftenheleaveshisreadersundecidedastothenatureofthespecieswhosehabitshedescribes。Fabrehimself，bydintofcriticizingwithsomuchhumourtheabuseofclassifications，hassometimesallowedhimselftofallintothesamefault。7/28。Hehastakengoodcare，however，nottoneglectthesystematicstudyofspecies；witnesshis“FloraoftheVaucluse“andthatcarefulcatalogueofAvignonwhichhehasnotdisdainedtorepublish。7/29。Thetruthisthat“ifwedonotknowtheirnamestheknowledgeofthethingsescapesus“7/30。，andhewasprofoundlyconsciousofthetruthofthispreceptofthegreatLinnaeus。
Themiddleoftheroomisentirelyoccupiedbyagreattableofwalnut-
wood，onwhicharearrangedbottles，test-tubes，andoldsardine-boxes，whichFabreemploysinordertowatchtheevolutionofathousandnamelessordoubtfuleggs，toobservethelaboursoftheirlarvae，thecreationandthehatchingofcocoons，andthelittlemiraclesofmetamorphosis，“afteragerminationmorewonderfulthanthatoftheacornwhichmakestheoak。”
Coversofmetallicgauzerestingonearthenwaresaucersfullofsand，afewcarboysandflower-potsorsweetmeatjarsclosedwithasquareofglass；
theseserveasobservationorexperimentalcagesinwhichtheprogressandtheactionsof“thesetinylivingmachines“canbeexamined。
Fabrehasrevealedhimselfasapsychologistwithoutrival，ofaconsummateskillinthedifficultanddelicateartofexperimentation；theartofmakingtheinsectspeak，ofputtingquestionstoit，offorcingittobetrayitssecrets；forexperimentis“theonlymethodwhichcanthrowanylightuponthenatureofinstincts。”
Hisresourcesbeingslenderandhismindinventive，hehasingeniouslysupplementedthepovertyofhisequipment，andhasdiscoveredlesscostlyandlesscomplexmeansofconductinghisexperiments；knowingthesecretofextractingthesublimesttruthfromclumsycombinationsof“trivial，peasant-madearticles。”
Hehassucceeded，inhisrusticlaboratory，inapplyingtherigorousrulesofinvestigationandexperimentationestablishedbythegreatbiologists。
Hehasthereforebeenabletoestablishhisbeautifulobservationsinamannersoindisputablethatthosewhocomeafterhimandaretemptedtostudythesamethingscanbutarriveatthesameresults，andderiveinspirationfromhisresearches。
Tonotewithcareallthedetailsofaphenomenonisthefirstessential，sothatothersmayafterwardsrefertothemandprofitbythem；thedifficultthingistointerpretthem，todiscoverthecircumstances，thewhysandwherefores，theconsequences，andtheconnectinglinks。
Butasinglefactobservedbychanceatthewayside，andwhichwouldnotevenattracttheattentionofanother，willbeinstantlyluminoustothissearchingunderstanding，itwillsuggestquestionsunforeseen，andwillevoke，byanticipation，preconceivedideasandsuddenflashesofintuition，whichwillnecessitatethetestofexperiment。
Why，forexample，doesthePhilanthus，thatslenderwasp，whichcapturesthehoney-beeupontheblossomsinordertofeedherlarvae；why，beforeshecarriesherpreytoheroffspring，doesshe“outragethedyinginsect。”
bysqueezingitscropinordertoemptyitofhoney，inwhichsheappearstodelight，anddoesindeedactuallydelight？
“Thebanditgreedilytakesinhermouththeextendedandsugaredtongueofthedeadinsect；thenoncemoreshepressestheneckandthethorax，andoncemoreappliesthepressureofherabdomentothehoney-sacofthebee。
Thehoneyoozesforthandisinstantlylickedup。Thusthebeeisgraduallycompelledtodisgorgethecontentsofthecrop。Thisatrociousmeallastsoftenhalfanhourandlonger，untilthelasttraceofhoneyhasdisappeared。”
Thedetailedanswerisobtainedbyexperiment，whichperfectlyexplainsthis“odiousfeast。”theexcuseforwhichissimplymaternity。ThePhilanthusknows，instinctively，withouthavinglearnedit，thathoney，whichisherordinaryfare，is，byaverysingular“inversion。”amortalpoisontoherlarvae。7/31。
Asanaccomplishedphysiologist，Fabreconductsallkindsofexperiments。
Behindthewiresofhiscages，heprovokesthemovingspectacleofthescorpionatgripwiththewholeentomologicalfauna，inordertotesttheeffectsofitsterriblevenomuponvariousspecies；andthushediscoversthestrangeimmunityoflarvae；thevirus，“thereagentofatranscendentchemistry，distinguishesthefleshofthelarvafromthatoftheadult；itisharmlesstotheformer，butmortaltothelatter“；afreshproofthat“metamorphosismodifiesthesubstanceoftheorganismtothepointofchangingitsmostintimateproperties。”7/32。
Youmayjudgefromthisthatheknowsthroughandthroughthehistoryofthecreatureswhichformthesubjectsofhisfaithfulnarratives。Heisinformedofthesmallesteventsoftheirlives。Hepossessesacalendaroftheirbirths；herecordstheirchronologyandthesuccessionofgenerations；hehasnotedtheirmethodsofwork，examinedtheirdiet，andrecordedtheirmeals。Hediscoversthemotiveswhichdictatetheirpeculiaritiesofchoice；whytheCerceris，forinstance，amongallthevictimsatitsdisposal，neverselectsanythingbuttheBuprestisandtheweevils。Heisfamiliartoowiththeirtacticsofwarfareandtheirmethodsofconflict。
Hisgazehaspenetratedeventhemosthiddendwellings；thoseinwhichtheHalictus“varnisheshercellsandmakestheroundloafwhichistoreceivetheegg“；inwhich，underthecoverofcocoons，murderousgrubsdevourslumberingnymphs；eventhedepthsofthesoilarenothiddenfromhim，forthere，thankstohisartifices，hehassurprisedtheastonishingsecretoftheMinotaur。
Hesiftsalldoubtfulstories；anecdotes，statementsofsupposedhabits；
allthatisincoherent，orillobserved，ormisinterpreted；alltheclicheswhichthemakersofbookspassfromhandtohand。
Inplaceofrepetitionhegivesuslaws，constantfacts，fixedrules。
Withincomparableskill，herepeatsandteststheancientexperimentsofRéaumur。
HeisnotcontenttoshowusthatErasmusDarwinismistaken；hepointsouthowitisthathehasfallenintoerror。7/33。
Hesetshimselftodecipherthemeaningofoldtales，skilfullydisengagingthelittleparceloftruthwhichusuallyliesbeneathamassofincorrectorevenfalsestatements。HecriticisesLaFontaine，andquestionsthestatementsofHorusApolloandPliny。Fromamassofundigestedknowledgehehascreatedthelivingscienceofentomology，whichhadreceivedfromRéaumurafirstbreathofvitality，insuchwisethateachindividualcreatureispresentedinhisworkwithitspreciseexpressionandtheabsolutetruthofitscharacterandattitudes；theinhabitantsofthewoodsandfields，whetherthosewhichfeeduponthecropsorthosewhichliveinthecrevicesoftherocks，ortheobscureworkersthatcrawlupontheearth；allthosewhichhaveasecrettotellorsomethingtoteachus；theCigale，sodifferentfromtheinsectoftheFable；andaboveallthatbeetlewhosenamehadhithertobeenencounteredarrayedinthemostfantasticlegends，thefamousScarabaeussacerofthetombs，whichFabrepreferredtoplaceattheheadofhisepicasanagreeableprologue，althoughtheinquiryrelativetohisamazingfeatsbelongschronologicallytoacomparativelyrecentperiodofhiscareer。
Howmoderateheisinsuchsuppositionsasheventures；howcautiouswhenhispersistentpatiencehasatlaststruckagainst“theinaccessiblewalloftheUnknowable“！Then，withadmirablefrankness，tranquilandsincere，hesimplyownsthat“hedoesnotknow。”unlikesomanyothers，whoseuncriticalmindsarecontentedwithafragmentaryvision，andrunsofaraheadofthefactsthattheycanonlypromoteindefiniteillusionanderror。
Oneissurprisedindeedtoremarkhowfewevenofthemostlearnedandwell-informedofmenhavearealaptitudeforobservation，andahighlyinstructivebookmightbewrittenconcerningthediscrepanciesandtheweakpointsinourknowledge。Iftheyweresubjectedtoasufficientlyseveretest，howthreadbarewouldappearmanyofthoseproblemswhichnatureandtheworldpresent，andwhichareregardedasresolved！
Howlong，forinstance，wasneededtodestroythelegendofthecuckoo，incessantlyrepeateddowntothedaysofXavierRaspail，andtoussofamiliar；toelucidateitshistory，andtosetitinitstruelight！
7/34。
Itisbymeansofsuchdataasthesethatascienceisfounded，fortheoriesdecay，andonlywell-observedfactsremainirrefragable。Withstonessuchasthese，whicharehewnbythegreatartisan，thestructuresofthefuturewillbebuilt，andourownscience，perhaps，willonedayberefashioned。
ForthisreasonFabre’sbooksareaneducationforallthosewhowishtodevotethemselvestoobservation；amanualofmentaldiscipline，atrue“essayuponmethod。”whichshouldbereadbyeverynaturalist，andthemostinteresting，instructive，familiaranddelightfulcourseoftrainingthathaseverbeenknown。
Ontheotherhand，itisimpossibletoconceivewhatlabourthisdelicateworkdemands；whatperseveranceFabrehasrequiredpainfullytoextractonegrainofgold；togleanandunitethedefinitefactors，thepositivedocuments，whichservedasfoundationsforeachofhisessays；lucid，limpid，andcaptivatingasthemostdelightfuloffairy-tales。Wearecharmed，fascinated，andastonished；weseenothingofthegropingadvance，thechecks，andallthetoilandthepatiencedemanded。Wedonotsuspectthelongwaiting，thehesitation，thedesperatelengthoftheinquiries。
Forexample，toestablishthecuriousrelationswhichexistbetweenthewaspsandtheVolucellae，whatlongandrepeatedexperimentswereneedful！
Hisnotebooks，inwhichherecords，fromdaytoday，allthathesees，areevidenceofthis。Whatwatchesinthealleyoflilacs，yearafteryear，todecipherthemechanismandthemodeofconstructionofthehunting-netoftheEpe？ra！Someofthesehistories，likethatofthehyper-metamorphosisoftheMelo？，wereonlycompletedastheresultoftwenty-fiveyearsofassiduousinquiry，whilefortyyearswererequiredtocompletethatoftheScarabaeussacer，forhisobservationofitwasalwayspartial；itisalmostalwaysimpossibletodivinewhatonecannotseefromthelittlethatonedoessee；andasaruleonemustreturntothesamepointoverandoveragaininordertofilluplacunae。
ThemajorityoftheinsectswhichFabrehasstudiedaresolitary，andareonlytobeencounteredsingly，scatteredoverwideareasofcountry。Someliveonlyindeterminedspots，andnotelsewhere，suchasthefamousCerceris，ortheyellow-wingedSphex，ofwhichnotraceistobefoundbeyondthelimitsoftheCarpentrascountryside。
Theproperseasonmustbewatchedfor；onemustbereadyatanymomenttoprofitbyaluckychance，andresignoneselftointerminablewatchesatthebottomofaravine，orkeeponthealertforhoursunderafierysun。Oftenthechancegoesby，orthetrailfollowedprovesfalse；buttheseasonisover，andonemustwaitforthereturnofanotherspring。ThetradeofobserverinmanycasesresemblestheexhaustinglaboursoftheSisyphusbeetle，painfullypushinghispelletuparoughandstonypath；sothattheteamhaltsandstaggersateverymoment，theloadspillsoverandrollsaway，andallhastobecommencedoveragain。
Wecannowcastback，inordertoconsideratleisuretheimmortalstudywhichmarkedthebeginningofhisfame，withthegreaterinterestandprofitinthatFabrehasbeenable，duringhisretirement，togeneralizeandextendhisdiscovery。7/35。
LetusfirstofallnotehowtheobservationwhichDufourhadmadeofthenestoftheCerceriswastransformedinhishands，andwhatdevelopmentshewasabletoevolvetherefrom。
SincetheyhavebeendefinitelyestablishedbyFabrethesecuriousfactshavebeenwell-known。Theyformperhapsthegreatestprodigypresentedbyentomology，thatsciencesofullofmarvels。
Thesewaspsnourishthemselvesonlyonthenectarofflowers；buttheirlarvae，whichtheywillneverbehold，musthavefreshandsucculentfleshstillpalpitatingwithlife。
Theinsectdigsatunnelinthesoil，inwhichsheplaceshereggs，andhavingprovisionedthecellwithselectedgame——cricket，spider，caterpillar，orbeetle——shefinallyclosestheentrance，whichshedoesnotagaincross。
Likenearlyallinsects，theyoungwaspisborninthelarvalstate，andfromthemomentofitshatchingtotheendofitsgrowth——thatistosay，foraperiodofmanydays——thegrubenclosedinitscellcanlookfornohelpfromwithout。
Herethenisafascinatingproblem：eitherthevictimsdepositedbythemotheraredead，anddesiccationorputrefactionattacksthempromptly，orelsetheyareliving，asindeedthelarvaerequire；butthen“whatwillbecomeofthisfragilecreature，whichamerenothingwilldestroy，shutinthenarrowchamberoftheburrowamongvigorousbeetles，forweeksonendworkingtheirlongspurredlegs；oratgripswithamonstrouscaterpillarmakingplaywithitsflanksandmandibles，rollingandunrollingitstortuousfolds？“
SuchisthethrillingmysteryofwhichFabrediscoveredthekey。
Withinconceivableingenuity，thevictimisseizedandthrowntotheground，andthewaspplungeshersting，notatrandomintothebody，whichwouldinvolvetheriskofdeath，butatdeterminedpoints，exactlyintotheseatofthoseinvisiblenervousganglionswhosemechanismcommandsthevariousmovementsofthecreature。
Immediatelyafterthesesubtlewoundsthepreyisparalysedthroughoutitsbody；itsmembersappeartobedisarticulated，“asthoughallthespringswerebroken“；thetruecorpseisnotmoremotionless。
Butthewoundisnotmortal；notonlydoestheinsectcontinuetolive，butithasacquiredthestrangeprerogativeofbeingabletoliveforaverylongperiodwithouttakinganynourishment，thankspreciselytotheconditionofimmobility，insomesortvegetative，whichparalysisconfersuponit。
Whenthehourstrikesthehungrylarvawillfinditsfavouritemeatservedtoitsliking；anditwillattackthisdefencelesspreywithallthecircumspectionofarefinedeater；“withanexquisitelydelicateart，nibblingthevisceraofitsvictimlittlebylittle，withaninfalliblemethod；thelessessentialpartsfirstofall，andonlyinthelastinstancethosewhicharenecessarytolife。Herethenisanincomprehensiblespectacle；thespectacleofananimalwhich，eatenalive，mouthfulbymouthful，duringnearlyafortnight，ishollowedout，growslessandless，andfinallycollapses。”whileretainingtotheenditssucculenceanditsfreshness。
Thefactisthatthemotherhastakencaretodepositheregg“atapointalwaysthesame“intheregionwhichherstinghasrenderedinsensible，sothatthefirstmouthfulsareonlyfeeblyresented。Butastheenemygoesdeeperanddeeper“itsometimeshappensthatthecricket，bittentothequick，attemptstoretaliate；butitonlysucceedsinopeningandclosingthepincersofitsmandiblesontheemptyair，orinuselesslywavingitsantennae。”Vainefforts：“fornowthevoraciousbeasthasbittendeepintothespot，andcanwithimpunityransacktheentrails。”Whataslowandhorribleagonyfortheparalysedvictim，shouldsomeglimmerofconsciousnessstilllingerinitspunybrain！Whataterriblenightmareforthelittlefield-cricket，suddenlyplungedintothedenoftheSphex，sofarfromthesunlittuftofthymewhichsheltereditsretreat！
Toparalysewithoutkilling，“todeliverthepreytothelarvaeinertbutliving“：thatistheendtobeattained；onlythemethodvariesaccordingtothespeciesofthehunterandthestructureoftheprey；thustheCerceris，whichattacksthecoleoptera，andtheScolia，whichpreysuponthelarvaeoftherose-beetle，stingthemonlyonceandinasingleplace，becausethereisconcentratedthemassofthemotorganglions。
ThePompilus，whichselectsaspiderforitsvictim，nolessthantheredoubtableTarantula，knowsthatitsquarry“hastwonervouscentreswhichanimaterespectivelythemovementsofthelimbsandthoseoftheterriblefangs；hencethetwostabsofthesting。”7/36。
TheSphexplungesherdaggerthreetimesintothebreastofthecricket，becausesheknows，byanintuitionthatwecannotcomprehend，thatthelocomotorinnervationofthecricketisactuatedbythreenervouscentres，whichliewideapart。7/37。
Finally，theAmmophila，“thehighestmanifestationofthelogicofinstinct，whoseprofoundknowledgeleavesusconfounded，stabsthecaterpillarinnineplaces，becausethebodyofthevictimwithwhichitfeedsitslarvaeisaseriesofrings，setendtoend，eachofwhichpossessesitslittleindependentnervouscentre。”7/38。
Thisisnotall；thegeniusoftheSphexisnotyetattheendofitsforesight。Youhavedoubtlessheardofthecomatosestateintowhichthewoundedfallwhen，afterafractureoftheskull，thebrainiscompressedbyaviolenthaemorrhageorabonysplinter。Thephysiologistsimitatethisprocessofnaturewhentheywish，forexample，toobtain，inanimalsunderexperiment，astateofcompleteimmobility。Butdidthefirstsurgeonwhothoughtoftrepanningtheskullinordertoexertonthebrain，bymeansofasponge，acertaindegreeofcompression，everimaginethatananalogousprocedurehadlongbeenemployedintheinsectworld，andthattheseclumsymethodsweremerelychild’splaybesidetheastonishingfeatsoftheUnconscious？
Forthestabinthethoracicganglions，howeverefficacious，isofteninsufficient。Althoughthesixlimbsareparalysed，althoughthevictimcannotmove，itsmandibles，“pointed，sharp，serrated，whichcloselikeapairofscissors，stillremainamenacetothetyrant；theymightatleast，bygrippingthesurroundinggrasses，opposeamoreorlesseffectualresistancetotheprocessofcarryingoff。”Sotheprecedingmanoeuvresareconsummatedbyakindofgarrotting；thatis，theinsect“takescaretocompressthebrainofitsvictim，butsoastoavoidwoundingit；producingonlyastupor，asimpletorpor，apassinglethargy。”Isnottheingeniousobserverjustifiedinconcludingthat“thisisalarminglyscientific“？
BetweenthedrystatementsofDufour，whichservedFabreashisoriginaltheme，andtheunaccustomedwealthofthisvastphysiologicalpoetry，whatadistancehasbeencovered！
Howfarhaveweoutstrippedthisbarrenmatter，theseshapelesssketches！
Dufour，anothersolitary，whoretiredtohisprovince，inthedepthoftheLandes，wasabovealladescriptiveanatomist，andhelimitedhimselftoaninventoryofthenestofaCerceris。
ForhimtheBuprestesweredead，andtheirstateofpreservationwasexplainedsimplyasakindofembalming，duetosomespecialactionofthevenomoftheHymenoptera。
Thesefacts，therefore，werestatedassimplecuriosities。
Fabreprovedthatthesevictimspossessedalltheattributesoflifeexceptingmovement，byprovokingcontractionsintheirmembersundertheinfluenceofvariousstimulants，andbykeepingthemaliveartificiallyforanindefiniteperiod。
Ontheotherhand，hedemonstratedthecomparativeinnocuousnessofthevenomofthesewasps，someofwhich，likethegreatCercerisorthebeautifulandformidableScolia，alarmbytheirenormoussizeandtheirterrifyingaspect；sothattheconservationofthepreycouldnotbeduetoanyoccultquality，tosomemoreorlessactiveantisepticvirtueofthevenomousfluid，butsimplytotheprecisionofthestabandthemiraculousdeftnessofthe“surgeon。”
Healsopointedoutthefactthatthestingoftheinsectisableimmediatelytodissociatethenervoussystemofthevegetativelifefromthatofthecorrelativelife，sparingtheformer，andtakingcarenottowoundtheabdomen，whichcontainstheganglionsofthegreatsympatheticnerve，whileitannihilatesthelatter，whichismoreorlessconcentratedalongtheventralfaceofthethoracicregion。
Hecompletedthissplendiddemonstration，notonlybyprovokingunderhisowneyesthe“murderousmanoeuvres，theintimateandpassionatedrama。”butalsobyreproducingexperimentallyalltheseastonishingphenomena；
expoundingtheirmechanismandtheirvariationswithalogicandlucidity，anartandsagacitywhichraisethismarvellousobservation，oneofthemostbeautifulknowntoscience，totheheightofthemostimmortaldiscoveriesofphysiology。ClaudeBernard，inhiscelebratedexperiments，certainlyexhibitednogreaterinvention，notruergenius。
CHAPTER8。THEMIRACLEOFINSTINCT。
“TheSpiritBlowethWhitheritListeth。”
Whatisthisinstinct，whichguidestheinsecttosuchmarvellousresults？
Isitmerelyadegreeofintelligence，orsomeabsolutelydifferentformofactivity？
Isitpossible，bystudyingthehabitsofanimals，todiscoversomeofthoseelementaryspringsofactionwhoseknowledgewouldenableustodivemoredeeplyintoourownnatures？
FabrehaspresentedustohisSphex，the“infallibleparalyser。”Arewetocredithernotonlywithmemory，butalsowiththefacultyofassociatingideas，ofjudgment，andofpursuingatrainofreasoninginrespectofherastonishinglyco-ordinatedactions？
Puttothequestionbythemaliceoftheoperator，the“transcendent“
anatomisttripsoverameretrifle，andtheslightestnoveltyconfoundsher。
Withoutthecircleofherordinaryhabits，whatstupidity，“whatdarknesswrapsherround“！Sheretreats；sherefusestounderstand；“shewasheshereyes，firstpassingherhandsacrosshermouth；sheassumesadreamy，meditativeair。”Whatcanshebepondering？Underwhatformofthought，illusion，ormiragedoestheunfamiliarproblemwhichhasobtrudeditselfintohercustomarylifepresentitselfbehindthosefacetedeyes？8/1。
Howcanwetell？Wecanonlyattaintoknowledgeofourselvesbydirectintuition。Itisonlytheideaofouregowhichenablesustoconjecturewhatispassinginthebrainsofourfellows。Betweentheinsectandourselvesnounderstandingispossible，soremotearetheanalogiesbetweenitsorganizationandourown；andwecanonlyformidlehypothesesastoitsstatesofconsciousnessandtherealmotiveofitsactions。
Consideronlythatunknownandmysteriousenergywhichtheinsectsdisplayintheiroperationsandtheirlabours，asitisinitself，andletuscontentourselves，firstofall，withcomparingittoourownintelligence，suchasweconceiveittobe。
Inseekingtoappreciatewherebyitdiffersperhapsweshallgainmorethanbyvainlyseekingpointsofresemblance。Weshalldiscover，infact，behindtheinsectanditsprodigiousinstincts，avastandremotehorizon，aregionatoncemoreprofound，moreextensive，andmorefruitfulthanthatoftheintelligence；andifFabreisabletohelpustodecipherafewpagesof“themostdifficultofallvolumes，thebookofourselves。”itisprecisely，asaphilosophertoldhim，because“manhasremainedinstinctiveinprocessofbecomingintelligent。”8/2。
TheworkofFabreisfromthispointofviewaninvaluabletreasuryofobservationsandexperiments，andtherichestcontributionwhichhaseverbeenmadetothestudyofthesefascinatingproblems。
“Thefunctionoftheintelligenceistoreflect，tobeconscious；thatis，torelatetheeffecttoitscause，toadda“because“toa“why“；toremedytheaccidental；toadaptanewcourseofconducttonewcircumstances。”
InrelationtothehumanintelligencethusdefinedFabrehasconsideredthesenervousaptitudes，sowelladjusted，accordingtotheevolutionists，byancienthabit，thattheyhavefinallybecomeimpulsiveandunconscious，and，properlyspeaking，innate。Hehasdemonstrated，withanabundanceofproofandapowerofargumentthatwemustadmire，theblindmechanismwhichdeterminesallthemanifestations，eventhemostextraordinary，ofthatwhichwecallinstinct，andwhichheredityhasfixedinaspeciesofunchangeableautomatism，liketherhythmoftheheartandthelungs。8/3。
Letus，fromthiswealthofmaterial，fromamongthemostsuggestiveexamples，selectsomeofhismoststrikingdemonstrations，whichareclassicsoftheirkind。
Fabrehasnotattemptedtodefineinstinct，foritisindefinable；nortoprobeitsessentialnature，whichisimpenetrable。Buttorecognizetheorderofnatureisinitselfasufficientlyfascinatingstudy，withoutstrivingtocrackanunbreakableboneorwastingtimeinponderinginsolubleenigmas。Theimportantmatteristoavoidtheintroductionofillusions，tobewareofexceedingthedataofobservationandexperiment，ofsubstitutingourowninferencesforthefacts，ofoutstrippingrealityandamplifyingthemarvellous。
Letuslistentothescrupulousanalysiswhoselessons，scatteredthroughfourthousandpages，teachusmoreconcerninginstinctanditsinnumerablevariationsthanallthemostlearnedtreatisesandspeculationsofthephilosophers。
Nothingintheworldperplexesthemindoftheobserverlikethespectacleofthebirthandgrowthoftheinstincts。
Atpreciselytherightmoment，justasfailureordisasterseemsforeordainedbythepreviouslyestablishedcircumstances，Fabreshowsushisinsectsassuddenlymasteredbyanirresistibleforce。
“Attherightmoment“theyinvinciblyobeysomesortofmysteriousandinflexibleprescription。Withoutapprenticeship，theyperformtheveryactionsrequired，andblindlyaccomplishtheirdestiny。
Then，themomenthavingpassed，theinstincts“disappearanddonotreawaken。Afewdaysmoreorlessmodifythetalents，andwhattheyounginsectknewtheadulthasoftenforgotten。”8/4。
AmongtheLycosae，atthemomentofexodus，asuddeninstinctisevolvedwhichafewhourslaterdisappearsnevertoreturn。Itistheclimbinginstinct，unknowntotheadultspider，andsoonforgottenbytheemancipatedyoung，whoaredestinedtoroamuponthefaceoftheearth。ButtheyoungLycosae，anxioustoleavethematernalhomeandtotravel，becomesuddenlyardentclimbersandaeronauts，eachreleasingalong，lightthreadwhichservesitasparachute。Thevoyageaccomplished，notraceofthisingenuityisleft。Suddenlyacquired，theclimbinginstinctnolesssuddenlydisappears。8/5。
Thegreathistoriographerofinstincthasthrownawonderfullight，byhisbeautifulexperimentsrelatingtothenidificationofthemason-bee，upontheindissolublesuccessionofitsdifferentphases；thelinealconcatenation，theinevitableandnecessaryorderwhichpresidesovereachofthesenervousdischargesofwhichthetotalseriesconstitutes，properlyspeaking，amodeofaction。
Themason-beecontinuestobuildupontheready-completednestpresentedtoher。Sheobstinatelyinsistsuponprovisioningacellalreadydulyfilledwiththequantityofhoneyrequiredbythelarva，because，inthiscaseasintheother，theimpulsewhichinciteshertobuildortoprovisionthenesthasnotyetbeenexhausted。
Ontheotherhand，ifweemptythelittlecupofitscontentswhenshehasfilleditshewillnotrecommenceherlabours。“Theprocessofprovisioningbeingcomplete，thesecretimpulsewhichurgedhertocollectherhoneyisnolongeractive。Theinsectthereforeceasestostoreherhoney，and，inspiteofthisaccident，layshereggintheemptycell，thusleavingthefuturenurslingwithoutnourishment。”8/6。
InthecaseofthePelopaeus，Fabrecallsourattentiontooneofthemostinstructivephysiologicalspectaclesthatcanbeimagined。
Whilethemason-beedoesnotnoticethathercellhasbeenemptied，thePelopaeuscannotperceivethatthetricksoftheexperimenterhaveresultedinthedisappearanceofherprogeny；andshe“continuestostoreawayspidersforagermthatnolongerexists；sheperseveresuntiringlyinheruselesshunting，asthoughthefutureofherlarvadependedonit；sheamassesprovisionswhichwillfeednoone；more，shepushesaberrationtotheextentofplasteringeventheplacewherehernestwasifweremoveit，givingthelaststrokesofthetroweltoanimaginarybuilding，andputtinghersealsuponemptynothing。”8/7。
>Fromthesefacts，andothers，nolesscelebrated，whichshow“theinabilityofinsectstoescapefromtheroutineoftheircustomsandtheirhabituallabours。”Fabrederivessomanyproofsoftheirlackofintelligence。
TheEpe？rafasciataisincapableofreplacingasingleradialthreadinthegeometricalstructureofitsweb，whenbroken；itrecommencestheentirewebeveryevening，andweavesitatonestretchwiththemostbeautifulmastery，asthoughmerelyamusingitself。
ThecaterpillaroftheGreaterPeacockmothteachesusthesamelesson；
whenoccupiedinweavingitscocoonitdoesnotknowhowtorepairanartificialrent；and“inspiteofthecertaintyofitsdeath，orratherthatofthefuturebutterfly，itquietlycontinuestospin，withouttroublingtocovertherent；devotingitselftoasuperfluoustask，andignoringthetreacherousbreach，whichleavesthecocoonanditsinhabitantatthemercyofthefirstthiefthatfindsit。”8/8。
Thus“becauseoneactionhasjustbeenperformed，anothermustinevitablybeperformedtocompletethefirst；whatisdoneisdone，andisneverrepeated。Likethewatercourse，whichcannotclimbthehillsandreturntoitssource，theinsectdoesnotretraceitsstepsorrepeatitsactions，whichfollowoneanotherinvariably，andareinevitablyconnectedinanecessaryorder，likeaseriesofechoes，oneofwhichawakensanother……Theinsectknowsnothingofitsmarvelloustalents，justasthestomachknowsnothingofitscunningchemistry。Itbuildslikeabricklayer，weaves，hunts，stabs，andparalyses，asitsecretesthevenomofitsweapons，thesilkofitscocoon，thewaxofitscomb，orthethreadsofitsweb；alwayswithouttheslightestknowledgeofthemeansandtheend。”8/9。
Thusinstinctisonethingandintelligenceisanother；andforFabrethereisnotransitionwhichcantransformtheoneintotheother。
Buthowprofoundandabundant，howinfiniteisthesourcefromwhichthismanifoldactivityderives，distributedasitisthroughouttheentireanimalkingdom；andwhichinourselvescommandstheprofoundestpartofournature；unconscious，oreveninoppositiontoourwonderfulintelligence，whichitoftensilencesoraltogetheroverwhelms。
Althoughtheinsect“hasnoneedoflessonsfromitselders“inordertoaccomplishitsbeautifulmasterpieces，thecomprehensiveconceptofthegeniuswhichrisesspontaneouslyandatasinglesteptotheloftiestconceptionsisnotalwaysaproductofpurereason。
Comparethesublimelogicofanimalmaternity，theimpeccabledictatesofinstinct，withthehesitations，thegropings，theuncertainties，theerrorsandtragicfailuresofhumanmaternity，whenitseekstoreplacetheunerringcommandsofinstinctbytheclumsyeffortsoftheintelligence！
Ifallisdarknesstotheanimal，apartfromitshabitualpaths，howfeebleandhesitating，howfalteringandunequalisreasonwhenitseekstoopposeitslaboriousinductionstotheinfalliblewisdomoftheunconscious！
Itis，infact，tothisconcatenationofactions，narrowlyconnectedbyamutualdependence，thatweowethisinexhaustibleseriesofcunningindustriesandwonderfularts。ToFabretheyaresomanyfeatsofalearnedunconsciousness。
“Seethenest，theaccustomedmasterpieceofmothers；itismoreoftenthanotherwiseananimalfruit，acofferfullofgerms，containingeggsinplaceofseeds。”
ThesatinbagoftheEpe？rafasciata，inwhichhereggsareenclosed，“breaksatthecaressofthesun，liketheskinofanover-ripepomegranate。”
TheDorthesia，thelouseinhabitingtheeuphorbia，“treblesthelengthofherbody，prolongingitshinderpartintoapouch，comparabletothatoftheopossum，intowhichtheeggsaredropped，andinwhichtheyoungarehatched，toleaveitafterwardsatwill。”8/10。
TheChermesoftheilex“hardensintoarampartofebony，whenceaninnumerablelegionofverminburstsforthonedaywithoutchangingtheirplace。”
Thecapsuleofgold-beater’sskin，inwhichthegrubsoftheCioneareenclosed，dividesitself，atthemomentofliberation，intotwohemispheres“ofaregularitysoperfectthattheyrecallexactlytheburstingofthepyxidiumwhentheseedisdistributed。”8/11。
Hereandthere，however，wecatchaglimpseofarudimentofwhatweunderstandbyconsciousness，intheshapeofa“vaguediscrimination。”
Eachplanthasitslover，drawntoitbyakindofelectiveaffinityandinvariabletendency。TheLarramakesforthethistle，theVanessaforthenettle，theClytusfortheilex，andtheCriocerisforthelily。“Theweevilknowsnothingbutitspeasandbeans，thegoldenRhynchitesonlythesloe，andtheBalaninusonlythenutoracorn。”
ButthePieris，whichhauntsthecabbage，frequentsthenasturtiumalso，andthegoldenrose-beetle，which“intoxicatesitselfattheclustersofthehawthorn。”isnolessaddictedtothenectaroftherose。
TheXylocopa，whichburrowsinthetrunksoftreesandoldrafters，forminglittleroundcorridorsinwhichtolodgeheroffspring，“willutilizeartificialgallerieswhichshehasnotherselfbored。”
TheChalicodoma“alsoisawareoftheeconomicadvantagesofanoldabandonednest“；theAnthophoraiscarefultoestablishherfamily“attheleastexpense。”andprofitsonoccasionbygallerieswhichhavebeenminedbypreviousgenerations；adaptingherselftothesenewconditions，sherepairsthetunnelswhichshedidnotconstruct“andeconomizesherforces。”8/12。
Itwouldseem，therefore，thatthesetinymindsarecreatedandshapedbymeansofexperience；theyrecognize“thatwhichismostfitting“；theylearn，theycompare；maywenotalsosaythattheyjudge？
DoesnottheMason-bee，“whichrakestheroadsforadrypowderydustandmixesitwithsalivatoconvertitintoahardcement。”foreseethatthismudwillharden？
IsthePelopaeusdevoidofjudgmentwhensheseekstheinteriorofdwelling-housesinordertoshelterhernestofdriedclay，whichtheleastdropofrainwouldreducetoitsoriginalstateofmud？
Isitwithoutknowledgeoftheeffectsthatthesloe-weevilbuildsaventilatingchimneytopreventtheasphyxiationofherlarva？thattheScarabaeussacercontrivesafilteratthesmallerendofitspear-shapedball，bymeansofwhichthegrubisabletobreathe？orthatArachnelabyrintha“introducesinhersilk-workarampartofcompressedearthtoprotecthereggsfromtheprobeoftheIchneumon“？
Maywenotalsoseeamasterpieceofthehighestlogicinthehouseofthetrap-doorspider，Arachneclotho，whichisfurnishedwithadoor，atruedoor“whichshethrowsopenwithapushoftheleg，andcarefullyboltsbehindheronreturningbymeansofalittlesilk“？8/13。
WhatamiracleofinventiontooistheprodigiousnestoftheEumenes，“withitseggsuspendedbyathreadfromtheroof，likeapendulum，oscillatingatthelightestbreathinordertosaveitfromcontactwiththecaterpillars，which，incompletelyparalysed，arewrigglingandwrithingbelow“！Later，whentheeggishatched，“thefilamentistransformedintoatube，aplaceofrefuge，upwhichthegrubclambersbackwards。Attheleastsignofdangerfromthemassofcaterpillarsthelarvaretreatsintoitssheathandascendstotheroof，wherethewrigglingswarmcannotreachit。”
8/14。
LetusreferalsototheremarkablehistoryoftheCopris。Wecannotdenythatthevaliantdung-beetleiscapableof“evadingtheaccidental“whichtoFabreconstitutesoneofthedistinctivecharacteristicsoftheintelligence，sinceitimmediatelyintervenesifwiththepointofapenknifeweopentheroofofitsnestandlaybareitsegg。“Thefragmentsraisedbytheknifeareimmediatelybroughttogetherandsoldered，sothatnotraceisleftoftheinjury，andallisoncemoreinorder。”WemayreadalsowithwhatincredibleaddressthemotherCopriswasabletouseandtoprofitbytheready-madepelletsofcow-dungwhichitoccurredtoFabretoofferher。8/15。
Buttheirscopeislimited，andencroachesverylittle，intheeyesofthegreatobserver，onthedomainofintelligence。Thishedemonstratestosatiety，andhisastonishingNecrophori，whichadaptthemselvessoadmirablytocircumstancesandtriumphovertheexperimentaldifficultiestowhichhesubjectsthem，seemscarcelytoexceedthelimitsofthoseactionswhichatbottomaremerelyunconscious。8/16。
WiththespawningoftheOsmia，Fabrethrowsafreshandunexpectedlightontheintuitiveknowledgeofinstinct。
Wearestillgropingourwayamongthecauseswhichrulethedeterminationofthesexes。Biologyhasonlybeenabletothrowafewscatteredlightsonthesubject，andwepossessonlyafewapproximatedata；whichneverthelessareturnedtoaccountbythebreedersofinsects。Wearestillintheregionofillusionandimperfectprognostics。
ButtheOsmiaknowswhatwedonot。Sheisdeeplyversedinallphysiologicalandanatomicalknowledge，andinthefacultyofcreatingchildrenofeithersexatwill。
Theseprettybees，“withcopperyskinandfleeceofruddyvelvet。”whichestablishtheirprogenyinthehollowofabramblestump，thecavityofareed，orthewindingstaircaseofanemptysnail-shell，knowthefixedandimmutablegeneticlawswhichwecanonlyguessat，andarenevermistaken。
ThismarvellousprerogativetheOsmiashareswithahostofapiaries，inwhichtheunequaldevelopmentofthemalesandfemalesrequiresanunequalprovisionofspaceandofnourishmentforthefuturelarvae。Forthefemales，whoexceedinpointofsize，hugecellsandabundantprovision；
forthemorepunymales，narrowcellsandasmallerrationofpollenandhoney。
NowthecircumstanceswhichareencounteredbytheOsmia，when，pressedbythenecessitiesofspawning，shesearchesforadwelling，areoftenfortuitousandincapableofmodification；andinordertogiveeachsetoflarvaethenecessaryspace“shelaysatwillamaleorafemaleegg，accordingtotheconditionsofspace。”
Inthismarvellousstudy，whichconstitutes，withthehistoryoftheCerceris，thefinestmasterpieceofexperimentalentomology，FabrebrilliantlyestablishesallthedetailsofthatcuriouslawwhichintheHymenopterarulesboththedistributionandthesuccessionofthesexes。Inhisartificialhives，inglasscylinders，heforcestheOsmiatocommenceherspawningwiththemales，insteadofbeginningwiththefemalesasnaturerequires，sincetheinsectisprimarilypreoccupiedwiththemoreimportantsex，thatwhichensuresparexcellencetheperpetuationofthespecies。Heevenforcesthewholeswarmwhichbuzzesabouthiswork-tables，hisbooks，hisbottles，andapparatus，completelytochangetheorderofitsspawning。HeshowsfinallythatintheheartoftheovariestheeggoftheOsmiahasasyetnodeterminedsex，andthatitisonlyattheprecisemomentwhentheeggisonthepointofemergingfromtheoviductthatitreceives，ATTHEWILLOFTHEMOTHER，themysterious，final，andinevitableimprint。
ButwhencedoestheOsmiaderivethis，“distinctideaoftheinvisible“？
HereagainisoneofthoseriddlesofnaturewhichFabredeclareshimselfquiteincapableofsolving。8/17。
Isthisall？No；wearefarfromhavingmadethetourofthismiraculousandincommensurablekingdomthroughwhichthisadmirablemasterleadsus，andIshouldneverbedonewereItoattempttoexhaustallthespectacleswhichheoffersus。Letusdescendyetanotherstep，amongcreaturesyetsmallerandhumbler。Weshallfindtendencies，impulses，preferences，efforts，intentions，“Machiavellicrusesandunheard-ofstratagems。”
Certainmiserableblackmites，livingspecks，thelarvaeofabeetle，oneoftheMeloidae，theSitaris，areparasitesofthesolitarybee，theAnthophora。Theywaitpatientlyallthewinterattheentranceofhertunnel，ontheslopeofasunnybank，forthespringtimeemergenceoftheyoungbees，asyetimprisonedintheircellsofclay。AmaleAnthophora，hatchedalittleearlierthanthefemales，appearsintheentranceofthetunnel；thesemites，whicharearmedwithrobusttalons，rousethemselves，hastentoandfro，hookthemselvestohisfleece，andaccompanyhiminallhisperegrinations；buttheyquicklyrecognizetheirerror；fortheseanimatedspecksarewellawarethatthemales，occupiedalldaylonginscouringthecountryandpillagingtheflowers，liveexclusivelyoutofdoors，andwouldinnowiseservetheirend。ButthemomentcomeswhentheAnthophorapayscourttothefairsex，andtheimperceptiblecreatureimmediatelyprofitsbytheamorousencountertochangeitswingedcourser。
“Thesepigmiesthereforehaveamemory，anexperienceoffacts“andhowoneistemptedtoadd，aglimmeringofintelligence！。Grapplednowtothefemalebee，thegruboftheSitaris“concealsitself，andallowsitselftobecarriedbyher“totheendofthegalleryinwhichsheisnowcontrivinghercradle，“watchestheprecisemomentwhentheeggislaid，installsitselfuponit，andallowsitselftofalltherewithuponthesurfaceofthehoney，inordertosubstituteitselfforthefutureoffspringoftheAnthophora，andpossessitselfofhouseandvictuals。”8/18。
Another“littlegelatinousspeck。”“ashadowofacreature。”thelarvaofaChalcidian，theLeucopsis，oneoftheparasitesoftheMason-bee，knowsthatinthecellofthemasonthereisfoodforoneonly。Scarcelyhasitenteredthetinydwellingbutweseethis“namelessshape“forseveraldays“anxiouslywandering；itvisitsthetopandbottom，theback，thefront，thesides“；itmakesthetourofitsdomain；“itsearchesinthedarkness，palpitating，seeminglywithanobjectinview。”Whatdoesthis“animatedglobule“want？whyisthisatomsoexcited？Itissearchingtodiscoverifthereisnotinsomecornerhithertounexploredanotherlarva，arival，thatitmayexterminateit！8/19。
Whatthenintrinsicallyisinstinct？Andwhatintrinsicallyisintelligence？
Howcanweproposetodrawuptheinexhaustibleinventoryofallthemanifestationsoflife，andwhyattempttoincludeallitsspeciesandtheirunknownvarietiesinnarrowclasses？Whysaythatthereareonlytwomodesoflife，instinctontheonehandandintelligenceontheother，“whenweknowhowsubtleandillusiveisthisProteus，andthattherearenottwothingsonly，butathousanddissimilarthings“8/20。：orratherisitnotalwaysthesamething，everywherepresentandactinginlivingmatter，andsusceptibleofinfinitedegrees，underformsanddisguisesinnumerable？
Thisiswhyitescapesthe“scalpelofthemasters“andtheapparatusofthechemists。Wemaydissect，wemayscrutinizeorgansunderthemagnifyingglass，examinewing-cases，countthenervuresofthewings，thenumberofarticulationsinthelimbs；wemayreckoneverypoint，likeRéaumurforgettingnotaline，notahair；wemaycompareandmeasureeveryportionofthemouth，anddefinetheclass；andweshallnotfindasinglepointinallthisphysicalarchitecturewhichwillpositivelyinformusofthehabitsoftheinsect。Ofwhataccountareafewslightdifferences？Itisinthephysicalfarmorethanintheanatomicaldifferencesthattheinviolabledemarcationbetweentwospeciesexists。Instinctsdominateforms；thetooldoesnotmaketheartisan；“andnoneofthesevariousstructures，howeverwelladaptedtheymayappeartous，bearswithinititsreasonoritsfinality。”
Thuswhateveropinionwemayholdastothenatureofinstinct，theaccomplishmentsandhabitsofinsectsarenot，properlyspeaking，connectedwiththeexternalandvisibleformoftheirorgans，andtheiractsdonotnecessarilypresupposetheinstrumentswhichwouldbeappropriatetothem。
Weknowthatwithmostorganisms，andparticularlywithplants，analmostimperceptiblevariationinmaterialcircumstancesisoftenenoughtomodifytheircharacterandtoproducefreshaptitudes。Nevertheless，wecanbutwonder，withFabre，thatphysicalmodifications，which，whentheydoexist，aresoslightalwaysastohaveescapedthemostperfectobservation，shouldhavesufficedtodeterminetheappearanceofprofoundlydissimilarfaculties。Inexplicableabilities，unexpectedhabits，unforeseenphysicalaptitudes，andunheard-ofindustriesareexercisedbymeansoforganswhicharehereandtherepracticallyidentical。“Thesametoolsareequallygoodforanypurpose。Talentaloneisabletoadaptthemtomanifoldends。”
TheAnthidiahavetwoparticularindustries；“thosewhichfeltcottonandcardthesoftdownofhairyplantshavethesameclaws，thesamemandibles，composedofthesameportionsasthosewhichkneadresinandmixitwithfinegravel。”8/21。
Thesloe-weevil“boresthehardstoneofthesloewiththesamerostrumasthatwhichitscongeners，solikeitinconformation，employtorolltheleavesofthevineandthepoplarintotinycigars。”
TheimplementoftheMegachile，therose-fly，isbynomeansappropriatetoitsindustry；“yettheperfectlycircularfragmentsofleaveshavethepreciseperfectionofformthatapunchwouldgive。”
TheXylocopa，inordertopiercewoodandtoboreitsgalleriesinanoldrafter，employs“thesameutensilswhichinothersaretransformedintopicksandmattockstoattackclayandgravel，anditisonlyapredispositionoftalentthatholdseachworkertohisspeciality。”
Moreover，havenotthesuperioranimalsthesamesensesandthesamestructure，yetwhatinequalitythereisamongthem，inthematterofaptitudesanddegreesofintelligence！
Habitsarenomoredeterminedbyanatomicalpeculiaritiesthanareaptitudesorindustries。
ThetwoGoat-mothcaterpillars，ofsimilarstructure，haveentirelydifferentstomachicaptitudes；“theexclusiveportionoftheoneistheoakandoftheotherthehawthornorthecherry-laurel。”
“WhencedoestheMantisderiveitsexcessivehunger，itspugnacity，itscannibalism，andtheEmpusaitssobriety，itspeaceableness，whentheiralmostidenticalorganizationwouldseemtoindicateanidentityofneeds，instincts，andhabits？“
Inthesamewaytheblackscorpionappearstopresentnoneoftheinterestingpeculiaritieswhichweobserveinthehabitsofitscongener，thewhitescorpionofLanguedoc。8/22。
Structure，therefore，tellsusnothingofaptitude；theorgandoesnotexplainitsfunction。Letthespecialistshypnotizethemselvesovertheirlensesandmicroscopes；theymayaccumulateatleisuremassesofdetailsrelatingtothisorthatfamilyorgenusorindividual；theymayundertakethemostsubtleinquiries，maywritethousandsandthousandsofpagesinordertodetailafewslightvariations，withoutevensucceedinginexhaustingthematter：theywillnotevenhaveseenwhatismostwonderful。
Whenthelittleinsecthasforthelasttimecleaneditsclaws，thesecretofthelittlemindhasfledforever，withallthefeelingsthatanimateditandgaveitlife。Thatwhichiscrystallizedindeathcannotexplainwhatwaslife。ThisisthethoughtwhichtheProven？alsinger，withthatintuitionwhichistheprivilegeofgenius，hasexpressedinthesemelodiouslines：
“Oh！paudesènqu’emél’escaupreFurnantlamort，cresondesaupre，Lavertudel’abihoelousecrètdoùméu。”
Omenoflittlesense，whoseek，Scalpelinhand，tomakeDeathtellThevirtueofthebee，thesecretofhercell！8/23。
CHAPTER9。EVOLUTIONOR“TRANSFORMISM。”
“Howdidamiserablegrubacquireitsmarvellousknowledge？Areitshabits，itsaptitudes，anditsindustriestheintegrationoftheinfinitelylittle，acquiredbysuccessiveexperiencesonthelimitlesspathoftime？“
ItisinthesewordsthatFabrepresentstheproblemofevolution。
Difficultthoughitmaybetofollowthesequenceofformswhichhaveendlesslysucceededandreplacedoneanotheronthefaceoftheearth，sincethebeginningoftheworld，itiscertainthatalllivingcreaturesarecloselyrelated；andthemagnificentandfertilehypothesisofevolution，whichseekstoexplainhowextantformsarederivedfromextinct，hastheimmenseadvantageofgivingaplausiblereasonforthemajorityofthefactswhichatleastceasetobecompletelyunintelligible。
Otherwisewecancertainlyneverimaginehowsomanyinstincts，andthesesocomplexandperfect，couldhaveissuedsuddenly“fromtheurnofhazard。”
ButFabrewillsupposenothing；hewillonlyrecordthefacts。Insteadofwanderingintheregionofprobabilities，hepreferstoconfinehimselftothereality，andfortheresttoreplysimplythat“wedonotknow。”
Thisstern，positive，rigorous，independent，andobservantmind，nourishedupongeometryandtheexactsciences，whichhasneverbeenabletocontentitselfwithapproximationsandprobabilities，couldbutdistrusttheseductionsofhypotheses。
Hisrobustcommonsense，whichwasalwayshisprotectionagainstprecipitateconclusions，tooclearlycomprehendsthelimitsofscienceandthenecessityofaccumulatingfacts“uponthethornypathofobservationandexperiment“toindulgeingeneralization。Hefeelsthatlifehassecretswhichourmindsarepowerlesstoprobe，andthat“humanknowledgewillbeerasedfromthearchivesoftheworldbeforeweknowthelastwordconcerningthesmallestfly。”
Thisiswhyhewasregardedas“suspect“bythecompanyofofficialscientists，towhomhewasadissenter，almostatraitor，especiallyatamomentwhenthetheoriesofevolution，theninthefirstflushoftheirnovelty，wereeverywherethecauseofageneralelation。
Nooneasyetwascapableofdiviningthemanofthefutureinthismodestthinkerwhowouldnotacceptthewordofthemastersinterested，butinopposingthetheoryoftransformation，farfrombeingreactionary，Fabrerevealedhimself，atleastinthedomainofanimalpsychology，asaninnovator，atrueprecursor。
Moreover，hisobservations，alwayssodirectandpersonal，oftenrevealedthecontraryofwhatwasassertedorforeseenbythemagicformulaesuggestedbythemind。
Totheingeniousmechanisminventedbythetransformistshepreferredtooppose，notcontraryargument，butthenakedundeniablefact，theobvioustestimony，thecertainandirrefragableexample。“Isit。”hewouldaskthem，“torepulsetheirenemiesthatcertaincaterpillarssmearthemselveswithacorrosiveproduct？ButthelarvaoftheCalosomasycophanta，whichfeedsontheProcessionalcaterpillaroftheoak-tree，paysnoheedtoit，neitherdoestheDermestes，whichfeedsontheentrailsoftheProcessionalcaterpillarofthepine-tree。”
Andconsidermimicry。Accordingtothetheoryofevolution，certaininsectswouldutilizetheirresemblancetocertainothersinordertoconcealthemselves，andtointroducethemselvesintothedwellingsofthelatterasparasiteslivingattheirexpense。SuchwouldbethecasewiththeVolucella，alargeflywhosecostume，stripedwithbrownandyellowbands，givesitaruderesemblancetothewasp。Obliged，ifnotforitsownsakeatleastforthatofitsfamily，toforceitselfintothewasp’sdwellingasaparasite，itdeceitfullydressesitself，wearetold，intheliveryofitsvictim，thusaffordingthemostcuriousandstrikingexampleofmimicry；andnaturalistsinsufficientlyinformedwouldregarditasoneofthegreatesttriumphsofevolution。
NowwhatdoestheVolucellado？Itistruethatitlaysitseggswithoutbeingdisturbedinthenestofthewasp。But，astherigorousobserverwilltellyou，itisapreciousauxiliaryandnotanenemyofthecommunity。Itsgrubs，farfromdisguisingorconcealingthemselves，“comeandgoopenlyuponthecombs，althougheverystrangerisimmediatelymassacredandthrownout。”Moreover，“theywatchthehygieneofthecitybyclearingthenestofitsdeadandriddingthelarvaeofthewaspsoftheirexcretoryproducts。”
Plungingsuccessivelyintoeachchamberofthedormitorytheforepartoftheirbodies，“theyprovoketheemissionofthatfluidexcrementofwhichthelarvae，owingtotheircloistration，containanextremereserve。”Inaword，thegrubsoftheVolucella“arethenursesofthelarvae。”performingthemostintimateduties。”9/1。
Whatanastonishingconclusion！Whatadisconcertingandunexpectedreplytothe“theoriesinvogue“！
Fabre，however，withhispoetictemperamentandardentimagination，seemedadmirablypreparedtograspallthatvastnetworkofrelationsbywhichallcreaturesareconnected；butwhatprovesthesolidityofhisimperishableworkisthatalltheories，alldoctrines，andallsystemsmayresorttoitinturnandprofitbyhisproofsandarguments。
Andhehimself，althoughheboastswithsomuchreasonofputtingforwardnopretensions，notheories，nosystems，hashenotevensoyieldedsomewhattothesuggestionsoftheprevailingschoolofthought，andhavenothisverdictsagainstevolutionoftenbeenthemoreexcessiveinthathehaspaidsonotableatributetotheevolutionaryprogressofcreation？
Inthefirstplace，heisfarfromexcludingtheundeniableinfluenceofenvironingcauses；theimmenseroleofthosemyriadexternalcircumstancesonwhichLamarcksostronglyinsisted；buttheworkofthesefactorsis，inhiseyes，onlyaccessoryandwhollysecondaryintheeconomyofnature；andinanycaseitisfarfromexplainingthedefinitedirectionandthetranscendentharmonywhichcharacterizeevolution，bothinitstotalityandinitsmostinfinitesimaldetails。
Inoneofhisadmirablelittletextbooks，intendedtoteachandtopopularizescience，hecomplacentlyenumeratesthehappymodificationseffectedbythat“sublimemagician。”selectionasunderstoodbyDarwin。Heevokesthemetamorphosesofthepotato，which，onthemountainsofChili，ismerelyawretchedvenomoustubercle，andthoseofthecabbage，whichontherockyfaceofoceanicprecipicesisnothingbutaweed，“withatallstemandscantydisorderedleavesofacrudegreen，anacridsavour，andaranksmell“；hespeaksofwheat，formerlyapoorunknowngrass；theprimitivepear-tree“anuglyintractablethornybush，withdetestablebitterfruit“；thewildcelery，whichgrowsbesideponds，“greenallover，hard，witharepulsiveflavour，andwhichgraduallybecomestenderer，sweeter，whiter。”and“ceasestodistilitspoison。”9/2。
Withprofoundexactitudethisgreatbiologisthasalsoperceivedthedegreetowhichsizemaybemodified；maydwindletodwarfnesswhenaniggardlysoilrefusestofurnishbeastandplantalikewithasufficientnourishment。
Withoutanycommunicationwiththeotherscientistswhowereoccupiedbythesamequestions，knowingnothingoftheresultswhichtheseexperimentershadattainedinthecaseofsmallmammiferousanimals，andwhichprovethatdwarfnesshasoftennoothercausethanphysiologicalpoverty，heconfirmedandexpandedtheirideasfromanentomologicalpointofview。9/3。
Scarcelyever，indeed，washefirstinspiredbythedoingsofothersinthisorthatdirection；hereadscarcelyanything，andnaturewashissoleteacher。Heconsideredthattheknowledgetobeobtainedfrombooksisbutsomuchvapourcomparedwiththerealities；heborrowedonlyfromhimself，andresorteddirectlytothefactsasnaturepresentedthem。Onehasonlytoseehisscantylibraryofoddvolumestobeconvincedhowlittleheowestoothers，whetherwritersorworkers。
Atruenaturalistphilosopher，thisprofoundobserverhasalsothrownalightuponcertainsingularanomalieswhich，intheinsectworld，seemtoconstituteanexception，atalleventsinourEurope，tothegeneralrules。
Itisnotonlytothecuriosityandfortheamusementofentomologiststhatheproposesthesecuriousanatomicalproblems，butalso，andchiefly，totheDarwinianwisdomoftheevolutionists。
Why，forexample，istheScarabaeussacerbornandwhydoesitremainmaimedallitslife；thatistosay，deprivedofallthedigitsontheanteriorlimbs？
“Ifitistruethateverychangeintheformofanappendageisonlythesignofahabit，aspecialinstinct，oramodificationintheconditionsoflife，thetheoryofevolutionshouldendeavourtoaccountforthismutilation，forthesecreaturesare，likeallothers，constructedonthesameplanandprovidedwithabsolutelythesameappendages。”
TheposteriorlimbsoftheGeotrupesstercorarius，“perfectlydevelopedintheadult，areatrophiedinthelarvae，reducedtomerespecks。”
Thegeneralhistoryofthespecies，ofitsmigrationsanditschanges，willdoubtlessonedaythrowlightuponthesestrangeinfirmities，heretemporaryandtherepermanent，whichmayperhapsbeexplainedbyunforeseenencounterswithundiscoveredspecimens，strayedperhapsintodistantcountries。9/4。
WhatinvaluabledocumentsfortheentomologistandthehistorianoftheevolutionofthespeciesarethosemultipleandfabulousmetamorphosesoftheSitaresandtheMelo？daewhichthisindefatigableinquirerhasrevealedinalltheirastonishingphases！
Oneofthefinestexamplesofscientificinvestigationisthepursuit，throughaperiodoftwenty-fiveyears，withasagacitywhichseemstoborderondivination，ofthisproblemofHYPER-METAMORPHOSIS。Thelarvaeofthosecoleopterawhichwehaveseenintroduced，withinfernalcunning，intothecellsoftheAnthophoraSeeChapter8above。，suffernolessthanfourmoultsbeforetheybecomenymphs。
Thesemerelyexternaltransformations，whichinvolveonlytheenvelope，andrespecttheinternalstructure，correspondeachwithachangeofenvironmentandofdiet。Eachtimetheorganismadaptsitselftoitsnewmodeofexistence，“asperfectlyaswhenitbecomesadult“；andweseetheinsect，whichwasclear-sighted，becomeblind；itlosesitsfeet，torecoverthemlater；itsslenderbodybecomesventripotent；hard，itgrowssoft；itsmandibles，atfirststeely，becomehollowedoutspoonwise，eachmodificationofconformationhavingitsmotiveinafreshmodificationoftheconditionsofthecreature’slife。
Howexplainthisstrangeevolutionofafourfoldlarvalexistence，thesesuccessiveappearancesoforgans，whichbecomeentirelyunlikewhattheywere，toservefunctionseachtimedifferent？