Theblue-fly，buriedinthedepthofthesand，“cracksitsbarrel-shapedcoffin。”andsplitsitsmask，inordertodisinteritself；theheaddividesintotwohalves，betweenwhichweseeemerginganddisappearingbyturnsamonstroustumour，whichcomesandgoes，swellsandshrivels，palpitates，labours，lunges，andretires，thuscompressingandgraduallyunderminingthesand，untilatlastthenewbornflyemergesfromthedepthofthecatacombs。13/1。
Certainyoungspiders，inordertoemancipatethemselves，toconquerspace，anddispersethemselvesabouttheworld，resorttoaningenioussystemofaviation。Theygainthehighestpointofthethicket，andreleaseathread，which，seizedbythewind，carriesthemawaysuspended。Eachshineslikeapointoflightagainstthefoliageofthecypresses。Thereisacontinuousstreamoftinypassengers，leapinganddescendinginscatteredsheavesunderthecaressesofthesun，likeatomicprojectiles，likethefountainoffireatapyrotechnicdisplay。Whatagloriousdeparture，whatanentryintotheworld！Grippingitsaeronauticthread，theinsectascendsinapotheosis！13/2。
Butifallarecalledallarenotchosen。“Howmanycanmoveonlyatthegreatestperilundertheruggedearth，proceedingfromshocktoshock，intheharshwombofuniversallife，and，arrestedbyagrainofsand，succumbhalf-way“！
Thereareotherswhomslowermetamorphosescondemntovegetatestilllongerinthesubterraneannight，beforetheyarepermittedtoassumetheirfestivalattire，andshareintheirturninthegladnessofcreation。
ThustheCicadaisforcedtolabourforlonggloomyyearsinthedarknessbeforeitcanemergefromthesoil。Atthemomentwhenitissuesfromtheearththelarva，soiledwithmire，“resemblesasewer-man；itseyesarewhitish，nebulous，squinting，blind。”Then“itclingstosometwig，itsplitsdowntheback，rejectsitsdiscardedskin，drierthanhornyparchment，andbecomestheCigale，whichisatfirstofapalegrass-greenhue。”Then，“Halfdrunkenwithherjoy，shefeastsInahailoffire“；
Andalldaylongdrinksofthesugaredsapoftenderbark，andissilentonlyatnight，satedwithlightandheat。Thesong，whichformspartofthemajesticsymphonyoftheharvest-tide，announcesmerelyitsdelightinexistence。Havingpassedyearsunderground，thecigalehasonlyamonthtoreign，tobehappyinaworldoflight，underthecaressingsun。Judgewhetherthewildlittlecymbalscaneverbeloudenough“tocelebratesuchfelicity，sowellearnedandsoephemeral“！13/3。
Allsingforhappiness，eachafteritskind，throughthecalmofthesummerdays。Theirmindsareintoxicated；itistheirfashionofpraying，ofadoring，ofexpressing“thejoysoflife：afullcropandthesunontheback。”Eventhehumblegrasshopperrubsitsflankstoexpressitsjoy，raisesandlowersitsshankstillitswing-casessqueak，andisenchantedwithitsownmusic，whichitcommencesorterminatessuddenly“accordingtothealternationsofsunandshade。”Eachinsecthasitsrhythm，stridentorbarelyperceptible；themusicofthethicketsandfallowscaressedbythesun，risingandfallinginwavesofjoyfullife。
Theinsectsmakemerry；theyholduproariousfestival；andtheymateinsatiably；evenbeforeformingamutualacquaintance；inafuriousrushofliving，for“loveisthesolejoyoftheanimal。”and“toloveistodie。”
Hardlyunwrapped，stilldustyfromthestrenuouslabourofdeliverance，“thefemaleoftheScoliaisseizedbythemale，whodoesnotevengivehertimetowashhereyes。”Havingsleptoverayearunderground，theSitares，barelyridoftheirmummy-cases，taste，inthesunlight，afewminutesoflove，ontheverysiteoftheirre-birth；thentheydie。Lifesurges，burns，flares，sparkles，rushes“inaperpetualtide。”abriefradiancebetweentwonights。
Aworldofamyriadfairiesfillstherustlingforest：dayandnightitunfoldsathousandmarvellouspictures；abouttherootofabramble，intheshadowofanoldwall，onaslopeofloosesoil，orinthedensethickets。
“Theinsectistransfiguredforthenuptialceremony；andeachhopes，initsritual，todeclareitspassion。”FabrehadsomethoughtofwritingtheGoldenBookoftheirbridalsandtheirweddingfestivals13/4。；theKamasutraoftheirfeastsandrulesoflove；andwithwhatart，atoncefrankandreserved，hashehereandtherehandledthiswonderfultheme！Intheradiantgardenofdelight，wherenodetailoftruthisomitted，butwherenothingshocksus，Fabrerevealshimselfasheisinhisconversation；evadingthesubjectwhereittakesalicentiousturn；
fundamentallychasteandextremelyreserved。
AtthefootoftherocksthePsyche“appearsinthebalconyofherboudoir，intheraysofthecaressingsun；lyingonthecloudysoftnessofanincomparableeider-down。”Sheawaitsthevisitofthespouse，“thegentleBombyx。”who，fortheceremony，“hasdonnedhisfeatheryplumesandhismantleofblackvelvet。”“Ifheislateincoming，thefemalegrowsimpatient；thensheherselfmakestheadvances，andsetsforthinsearchofhermate。”
Drawnbythesamevoluptuousandoverwhelmingforce，thecricketventurestoleavehisburrow。Adorned“inhisfairestattire，blackjacket，morebeauteousthansatin，withastripeofcarmineonthethigh。”hewandersthroughthewildherbage，“bythediscreetglimmeroftwilight。”untilhereachesthedistantlodgingofthebeloved。Thereatlasthearrives“uponthesandedwalk，thecourtofhonourthatprecedestheentry。”Butalreadytheplaceisoccupiedbyanotheraspirant。Thenthetworivalsfallupononeanother，bitingoneanother’sheads，“untilitendsbytheretreatoftheweaker，whomthevictorinsultsbyabravuracry。”Thehappychampionbridles，assumingaproudair，asofonewhoknowshimselfahandsomefellow，beforethefairone，whofeignstohideherselfbehindhertuftofaphyllantus，allcoveredwithazureflowers。“Withagestureofafore-limbhepassesoneofhisantennaethroughhismandiblesasthoughtocurlit；
withhislong-spurred，red-stripedlegsheshuffleswithimpatience；hekickstheemptyair；butemotionrendershimmute。”13/5。
Inthefoliageoftheash-treetheloverofthefemaleCantharisthrasheshiscompanion，whomakesherselfassmallasshecan，hidingherheadinherbosom；hebangsherwithhisfists，buffetsherwithhisabdomen，“subjectshertoaneroticstorm，arainofblows“；then，withhisarmscrossed，heremainsamomentmotionlessandtrembling；finally，seizingbothantennaeofthedesiredone，heforceshertoraiseherhead“likeacavalierproudlyseatedonhorseandholdingthereinsinhishands。”
TheOsmiae“replybyaclickofthejawstotheadvancesoftheirlovers，whorecoil，andthen，doubtlesstomakethemselvesmorevaliant，theyalsoexecuteaferociousmandibulargrimace。Withthisbyplayofthejawsandtheirmenacinggesturesoftheheadintheemptyairthelovershavetheairofintendingtoeatoneanother。”Thustheyprefacetheirbridalsbydisplaysofgallantry，recallingtheancientbetrothalcustomsofwhichRabelaisspeaks；thepretenderswerecuffedandderidedandthreatenedwithaheartypummelling。13/6。
Onthearidhillsides，wherethedoubtfulraysofthemoonpiercethestorm-cloudsandilluminethesultryatmosphere，thepalescorpions，withshort-sightedeyes，hideousmonsterswithmisshapenheads，“displaytheirstrangefaces，andtwobytwo，handinhand，stalkinmeasuredpacesamidthetuftsoflavender。Howtelltheirjoys，theirecstasies，thatnohumanlanguagecanexpress……！“13/7。
However，theglow-worm，toguidethelover，lightsitsbeacon“likeasparkfallenfromthefullmoon“；but“presentlythelightgrowsfeebler，andfadestoadiscreetnightlight，whileallaroundthehostofnocturnalcreatures，delayedintheiraffairs，murmurthegeneralepithalamium。”
13/8。
Buttheirhappytimeissoonover；tragedyisabouttofollowidyll。
Onemustlive，and“theintestinerulestheworld。”
Allcreaturesthatfilltheworldareincessantlyconflicting，andonelivesonlyatthecostofanother。
Ontheotherhand，inorderthatthecominggenerationsmayseethelight，thepresentgenerationsmustthinkofthepreservationoftheyoung。
“Perishalltherestprovidedthebroodflourish！“Andinthedepthofburrowsthefuturelarvaewholiveonlyfortheirstomachs，“littleogres，greedyoflivingflesh。”musthavetheirprey。
Tohungerandmaternityletusalsoaddlove，which“rulestheworldbyconflict。”
Sucharethecomponentsofthe“struggleforexistence。”suchasFabrehasdescribedit，butwithnoothermotivethantodescribewhathehasobservedandseen。Sucharetheordinarythemesofthegrandiosebattleswhichhehasscatteredthroughhisnarratives，andneverdidcircusorarenaoffermorethrillingspectacles；nojungleeverhidmoremovingcombatsinitsthickets。”
“Eachhasitsrusesofwar，itsmethodsofattack，itsmethodsofkilling。”
Whattactics——“studied，scientific，worthyoftheathletesoftheancientpalaestra“——arethosewhichtheSphexemploystoparalysetheCricketandtheCerceristocapturetheCleona，tosecuretheminasuitableplace，soastooperateonthemmoresurelyandatleisure！
Besidethesemasterparalysers，soexpertintheartofdealingslowdeath，therearethosewhich，withaprecisionnolessscholarly，killandwithertheirvictimsatasinglestroke，andwithoutleavingatrace：“truepractitionersincrime。”
Ontherock-rosebushes，withtheirgreatpinkflowers，“theprettyThomisus，thelittlecrab-spider，cladinsatin。”watchesforthedomesticbee，andsuddenlykillsit，seizingthebackofthehead，whilethePhilanthus，alsoseizingitbythehead，plungesitsstingunderthechin，neithertoohighnortoolow，but“exactlyinthenarrowjointoftheneck。”forbothinsectsknowthatinthislimitedspot，inwhichisconcentratedasmallnervousmass，somethinglikeabrain，is“theweakpoint，mostvulnerableofall。”thefaultinthecuirass，thevitalcentre。
Others，liketheAraneidae，intoxicatetheirprey，andtheirsubtlebite，“whichresemblesakiss。”inwhateverpartofthebodyitisapplied，“producesalmostimmediatelyagradualswoon。”
ThusthegreathairyBourdon，inthecourseofitsperegrinationsacrossthewastesofthyme，sometimesfoolishlystraysintothelairoftheTarantula，whoseeyesglimmerlikejewelsatthebackofhisden。Hardlyhastheinsectdisappearedundergroundthanasortofshrillrattlingisheard，a“truedeath-song。”immediatelyfollowedbythecompletestsilence。
“Onlyamoment，andtheunfortunatecreatureisabsolutelydead，proboscisoutstretchedandlimbsrelaxed。Thebiteoftherattlesnakewouldnotproduceamoresuddenparalysis。”
Theterriblespider“crouchingonthebattlementsofhiscastle，hisheavybellyinthesun，attentivetotheslightestrustling，leapsuponwhateverpasses，flyorLibellula，andwithasinglestrokestrangleshisvictim，anddrainsitsbody，drinkingthewarmblood。”
“TodislodgehimfromhiskeepneedsallthecunningstrategyofthePompilus；aterribleduel，ahand-to-handcombat，stupendous，trulyepic，inwhichthesubtleaddressandtheingeniousaudacityofthewingedinsecteventuallytriumphoverthedreadfulspiderandhispoisonedfangs。”
13/9。
Onthepinkheather“thetimidspiderofthethicketssuspendsbyetherealcablesthebranchingwhorlofhissnare，whichthetearsofthenighthaveturnedintochapletsofjewels……Themagicaljewellerysparklesinthesun，attractingmosquitoesandbutterflies；butwhosoeverapproachestoocloselyperishes，avictimofcuriosity。”Abovethefunnelisthetrap，“achaosofsprings，aforestofcordage；liketheriggingofashipdismemberedbythetempest。Thedesperatecreaturestrugglesintheshroudsoftherigging，thenfallsintothegloomyslaughter-housewherethespiderlurksreadytobleedhisprey。”
Deathiseverywhere。
Eachcreviceofbark，eachshadowofaleaf，concealsahunterarmedwithadeadlyweapon，allhissensesonthealert。Everywhereareteeth，fangs，talons，stings，pincers，andscythes。
Leapinginthelonggrasses，theDecticuswiththeivoryface“crunchestheheadsofgrasshoppersinhismandibles。”
Aferociouscreature，thegruboftheHemerobius，disembowelsplant-lice，makingoftheirskinsabattle-dress，coveringitsbackwiththeevisceratedvictims，“astheRedIndiantiesabouthisloinsthetressesofhisscalpedenemies。”
CaterpillarsaresurroundedbytheimplacablevoracityoftheCarabidae：
“Thefurryskinsaregapingwithwounds；theircontentsescapeinknotsofentrails，brightgreenwiththeiraliment，theneedlesofthepine-tree；
thecaterpillarswrithe，strugglingwithloop-likemovements，grippingthesandwiththeirfeet，dribblingandgnashingtheirmandibles。Thoseasyetunwoundedarediggingdesperatelyintheattempttoescapeunderground。Notonesucceeds。Theyarescarcelyhalfburiedbeforesomebeetlerunstothemanddestroysthembyanevisceratingwound。”
Atthecentreofitsnet，whichseems“wovenofmoonbeams。”inthemidstofitssnare，aglutinoustrapofinfernalingenuity，orhiddenatadistanceinitscabinofgreenleaves，theEpe？rafasciatawaitsandwatchesforitsprey。Lettheterriblehornet，ortheLibellulaauripennis，flyingfromstemtostem，fallintothelimedsnare；theinsectstruggles，endeavourstounwinditself；thenettremblesviolentlyasthoughitwouldbetornfromitscables。Immediatelythespiderdartsforward，runningboldlytotheintruder。Withrapidgesturesthetwohinderlimbsweaveawinding-
sheetofsilkastheyrotatethevictiminordertoenshroudit……TheancientRetiarius，condemnedtomeetapowerfulbeastofprey，appearedinthearenawithanetofcordagelyinguponhisleftshoulder；theanimalspranguponhim；theman，withasuddenthrow，caughtitinthemeshes；astrokeofthetridentdespatchedit。SimilarlytheEpe？rathrowsitsweb，andwhenthereisnolongeranymovementunderthewhiteshroudthespiderdrawscloser；itsvenomousfangsperformtheofficeofthetrident。
13/10。
ThePrayingMantis，thatdemoniaccreaturewhichaloneamongtheinsectsturnsitsheadtogaze，“whosepiousairsconcealthemostatrocioushabits。”remainsonthewatch，motionless，forhoursatatime。Letagreatgrasshopperchancetocomeby：theMantisfollowsitwithitsglance，glidesbetweentheleaves，andsuddenlyrisesupbeforeit；“andthenassumesitsspectralpose，whichterrifiesandfascinatestheprey；thewing-coversopen，thewingsspringtotheirfullwidth，formingavastpyramidwhichdominatestheback；asortofswishingsoundisheard，likethehissofastartledadder；themurderousfore-limbsopentotheirfullextent，formingacrosswiththebody，andexhibitingtheaxillaeornamentedwitheyesvaguelyresemblingthoseofthepeacock’stail，partofthepanoplyofwar，concealeduponordinaryoccasions。Theseareonlyexhibitedwhenthecreaturemakesitselfterribleandsuperbforbattle。
Thenthetwograppling-hooksarethrown；thefangsstrike，thedoublescythesclosetogetherandholdthevictimasinavice。”13/11。
Thereisnopeace；nightfallsandthehorribleconflictcontinuesinthedarkness。Atrociousstruggles，mercilessduels，fillthesummernights。Onthestemsofthelonggrasses，besidethefurrows，theglow-worm“anaethetizesthesnail。”instillingintoititsvenom，whichstupefiesandproducessleep，inordertoimmobilizeitspreybeforedevouringit。
Havingchorusedtheirjoyallthedaylonginthesunshine，intheeveningtheCicadaefallasleepamongtheolivesandtheloftyplane-trees。Butsuddenlythereisasoundasofacryofanguish，shortandstrident；itisthedespairinglamentationofthecicada，surprisedinreposebythegreengrasshopper，thatardenthunterofthenight，whichleapsuponthecicada，seizesitbytheflank，anddevoursthecontentsofthestomach。Aftertheorgyofmusiccomesnightandassassination。
Suchisthegloomyepicwhichgoesforwardamongtheflowers，amidstthefoliage，undertheshadowyboughs，andonthedustyfallows。Sucharethesightsthatnatureoffersamidtheprofoundpeaceofthefields，behindthefloweringofthesuddenspring-tideandthesplendoursofthesummer。Thesemurders，theseassassinationsarecommittedinamuteandsilentworld，but“theearofthemind“seemstohear“Atiger’srageandcriesasofalionRoaringremotelythroughthispigmyworld。”
WasittothesethrillingrevelationsthatVictorHugointendedtoapplythesesowonderfullyappropriatelines？WasithewhobestoweduponFabre，accordingtoapoetictradition，thenameof“theHomeroftheinsects。”
whichfitshimsomarvellouslywell？
Itispossible，althoughFabrehimselfcancitenoevidencetosupportthesesuggestions；butletusrespectthelegend，simplybecauseitischarming，andbecauseitaddsanexactandpicturesquetouchtotheportraitofFabre。
Inthisdramaofamyriadscenes，inwhichthelittleactorsintheirrusticstageplayeachinhisturntheirpartsatthemercyofoccasionandthehazardofencounter，thehumblestcreaturesarepersonagesofimportance。
Likethehumancomedy，thisalsohasitscharactersprivilegedbybirth，clothedinpurple，dazzlingwithembroidery，“adornedwithloftyplumes。”
whostrutpretentiously；“itsidlerich。”coveredwithrobesofgoldofrustlingsplendour，whodisplaytheirdiamonds，theirtopazesandtheirsapphires；whogleamwithfireandshinelikemirrors，magnificentofmien；
buttheirbrainsare“dense，heavy，inept，withoutimagination，withoutingenuity，deprivedofallcommonsense，knowingnootheranxietythantodrinkinthesunlightattheheartofaroseortosleepofftheirdraughtsintheshadowofaleaf。
Thosewholabour，onthecontrary，donotattracttheeye，andthemostobscureareoftenthemostinteresting。Necessitouspovertyhaseducatedandformedthem，hasexcitedinthem“featsofinvention。”unsuspectedtalents，originalindustries；athousandcuriousandunexpectedcallings，andnosubjectofpoetryequalsininterestthedetailedhistoryofoneofthesetinycreatures，bywhichwepasswithoutobservingthem，amidthestones，thebrambles，andthedeadleaves。Itistheseaboveallthataddanoriginalandepicnotetothevastsymphonyoftheworld。
Butdeathalsohasitspoetry。Itsshadowydomainsholdlessonsnolessmagnificent，andthemostputridcarrionistoFabrea“tabernacle“inwhichadivinecomedyisenacted。
Theant，that“ardentfilibuster，comesfirst，andcommencestodissectitpiecemeal。”
TheNecrophori“exhalingtheodourofmusk，andbearingredpomponsattheendoftheirantennae。”are“transcendentalchemists。”
TheSarcophagi，orgreyfleshflies，“withredbloodshoteyes，andthestonygazeofaknacker“；theSaprinidae，“withbodiesofpolishedebonylikepearlsofjet“；theSilphaaplata，withlargeandsombrewing-casesinmourning；theshinyslow-trottingHorn-beetle；theDermestes，“powderedwithsnowbeneaththestomach“；theslenderStaphylinus；thewholefaunaofthecorpse，thewholehordeofartisansofdeath，“intoxicatingthemselveswithpurulence，probing，excavating，mangling，dissecting，transmuting，andstampingoutinfection。”
Fabregivesacuriousexpositionof“thatstrangeart“bywhichthegrubofthegreybot-fly，thevulgarmaggot，bymeansofasubtlepepsine，disintegratesandliquefiessolidmatter；anditisbecausethissingularsolventhasnoeffectupontheepidermisthatthefly，initswisdom，choosesbypreferencethemucousmembranes，thecorneroftheeye，theentranceofthenostrils，thebordersofthelips，thelivefleshofwounds，theretodeposititseggs。
Withwhatpenetrationthisoriginalmindhasanalysed“theoperationofthecrucibleinwhichallthingsarefusedthattheymayrecommence“andhasexpoundedthemarvellouslessonwhichisrevealedbydecompositionandputridity！
CHAPTER14。PARALLELLIVES。
WehavenowseenwhatentomologybecomesinthehandsoftheadmirableFabre。Thevastpoemofcreationhasneverhadamorefamiliarandluminousinterpreter，andyouwillnowherefindotherworklikehis。
HowfarheoutstripsBuffonandhisdescriptionsofanimals——sogeneral，sovague，soimpersonal——hisrecordsunreliableandhisentireeruditionofasecond-handquality！
ItiswithRéaumurthatwearefirstofalltemptedtocomparehim；andsomehavechosentoseeinhimonlyonewhohascontinuedRéaumur’swork。
InrealityhehaseagerlyreadRéaumur，althoughathearthedoesnotreallyenjoyhiswritings；hehasdrunkfromthisfruitfulsource，butheoweshimnopartofhisownrichharvest。
Buttherearemanyaffinitiesbetweenthem；theyhavemanytraitsincommon，despitethepointsofdifferencebetweenthem。
TheillustrioussonofRochellewasborn，likeFabre，withaloveofallnaturalthings，andbeforeattackingthemyriadproblemsofphysicsandnaturalhistory，whereinhewastoshinebysomanycuriousdiscoveries，healsohadpreparedhimselfbyaprofoundstudyofmathematics。
LuckierthanFabre，however，Réaumurenjoyednotonlytheadvantagesofbirth，butallthematerialconditionsnecessarytohisardentintellectualactivity。Fortuneoverwhelmedherfavouritewithgifts，andplayednosmallpartinhisglorybyenablinghim，fromanearlyage，toprofitbyhisleisureandtogiveafreereintohisrulingpassions。HewasnolessmodestthanthesageofSérignan；self-effacingbeforeothers，saysoneofhisbiographers，sothattheywerenevermadetofeelhissuperiority。
14/1。
InthemidstofthebeautifulandspaciousgardensattheendoftheFaubourgSaint-Antoine，wherehefinallymadehishome，healsocontrivedtocreateforhimselfaHarmasafterhisownheart。
Itwastherethatintheasyetvirgindomainofentomologyheunravelledtheriddleofthemarvellousrepublicofthebees，andwasabletoexpoundandinterpretalargenumberofthosetinyliveswhicheveryonehadhithertodespised，andwhichindeedtheycontinuedtodespiseuntilthedaysofFabre，oratleastregardedasabsolutelyunimportant。Hewasthefirsttoventuretosuspecttheirconnectionwithmuch“thatmostnearlyconcernsus。”ortopointout“allthesingularconclusions“whichmaybedrawntherefrom。14/2。
Howmanydetailshehasenshrinedinhisinteresting“Memoirs。”andhowmanyfactswemaygleanfromthisgreatmaster！He，likeFabre，hadthegiftofcharmingagreatnumberofhiscontemporaries。Tremblay，Bonnet，anddeGeerowedtheirvocationstoRéaumur，nottospeakofHuber，whosegeniusheinspired。
Aphysicistbeforeall，andaccustomedtodelicateandmeticulousthoughcomparativelysimpletasks，hehadadmirablyforeseentheextraordinarycomplicationoftheseinquiries；somuchsothat，withthemodestyofthetruescientistthathewas，heregardedhisownstudies，eventhemostsubstantial，asmereindications，intendedtopointthewaytothosethatfollowedhim。
Asmethodical，inshort，astheauthorofthe“Souvenirs。”thescrupulousRéaumurwrotenothingthathehimselfhadnotprovedorverifiedwiththegreatestcare；andwemaybesurethatallthatherecordsofhispersonalandimmediateobservationshehasreallyseenwithhisowneyes。
Inthewildernessoferrorhehad，likeFabre，aninfalliblecompassinhisextraordinarycommonsense；and，equallyskilledinextractingfromthefalsethelittleparticleoftruthwhichitoftencontains，hewasnolessfondoflisteningatthegateoflegends，oftracingthesourceoftraditions；rightlyconsideringthatbeforederidingthemasold-wives’
talesweshouldfirstprobeinalldirectionsintotheiroriginandfoundation。14/3。
Hewasalsotemptedtoexperiment，andhewellknewthatinsuchproblemsasthoseheattackedobservationaloneisoftenpowerlesstorevealanything。Itisenoughtorecallhereoneofthemostpromisingandunexpectedofthediscoverieswhichresultedfromhisexperiments。Réaumurwasthefirsttoconceivetheingeniousideaofretardingthehatchingofinsects’eggsbyexposingthemtocold，thusanticipatingtheapplicationofcoldtoanimallifeandthediscoveriesofCharlesTellier，whosemoreillustriousforerunnerhewas；atthesametimehediscoveredthesecretofprolonging，inasimilarfashion，thelarvalexistenceofchrysalidsduringaspaceoftimeinfinitelysuperiortothatoftheirnormalcycle；andwhatismore，hesucceededinmakingthemlivealethargiclifeforyearsandevenforalongtermofyears，thusrepeatingatwillthemiracleoftheSevenSleepers。14/4。
Toomuchoccupied，however，withthesmalleraspectofthings，hehadnottheartofforcingNaturetospeak，andintheprovinceofpsychicalaptitudeshewasbarelyabletoriseabovethefacts。
Ashewaspowerlesstoenterintorealcommunionwiththetinycreatureswhichheobserved，althoughhisobservationswereconductedwithreligiousadmiration；ashesawalwaysonlytheoutsideofthings，likeaphysicistratherthanapoetorpsychologist，hecontentedhimselfwithnotingthefunctioningoftheirorgans，theirmethodsofwork，theirproperties，andthechangeswhichtheyundergo；hedidnotinterprettheiractions。Themysteryofthelifewhichquiverswithinandaroundthemeludeshim。Thisiswhyhisbooksaresuchdryreading。Heislikeabrightgardenfullofrareplants；butitisamonotonousgarden，withoutlifeorart，withoutdistantvistasorwideperspectives。Hisworksaresomewhatdiffuseandfullofrepetitions；entiremonographs，almostwholevolumes，aredevotedtodescribingtheemergingofabutterfly；buttheyformpartofthelibraryofthecuriousloverofnature；theyareconsultedwithinterest，andwillalwaysbereferredto，butitcannotbesaidthattheyareread。
AfterRéaumur，accordingtothedictumofthegreatLatreille，entomologywasconfinedtoawearisomeandinterminablenomenclature，andifweexcepttheHubers，twounparalleledobservers，althoughlimitedandcircumscribed，theonlywriterwhofilledtheinterregnumbetweenRéaumurandFabrewasLéonDufour。
Inthequietlittletownwhitherhewenttosucceedhisfather，thismilitarysurgeon，turnedcountrydoctor，livedabusyandusefullife。
Whileoccupiedwithhishumblepatients，whomhepreferredtoregardmerelyasaninterestingclinic，andwhilekeepingthedailyrecordofhismedicalobservations，hefeltirresistiblydrawn“toferretinalltheholesandcornersofthesoil，toturnovereverystone，largeorsmall；toshrinkfromnofatigue，nodifficulty；toscalethehighestpeaks，thesteepestcliffs，tobraveathousanddangers，inordertodiscoveraninsectoraplant。14/5。
AdiscipleofLatreille，heshoneaboveallasanimpassioneddescriptivewriter。
Noonewasmoreskilledindeterminingaspecies，indissectingtheheadofaflyortheentrailsofagrub，andnospectacleintheworldwasforhimsofascinatingasthetriplelifeoftheinsect；thosemagicalmetamorphoses，whichhejustlyconsideredasoneofthemostastonishingphenomenaincreation。14/6。
HesawfurtherthanRéaumur，andburnedwiththesamefireasFabre，forhealsohadthemakingsofagreatpoet。Hiscuriosityhadassembledenormouscollections，butheconsidered，asFabreconsidered，thatcollectingis“onlythebarrencontemplationofavastossuarywhichspeaksonlytotheeyes，andnottothemindorimagination。”andthatthetruehistoryofinsectsshouldbethatoftheirhabits，theirindustries，theirbattles，theirloves，andtheirprivateandsociallife；thatonemust“searcheverywhere，ontheground，underthesoil，inthewaters，intheair，underthebarkoftrees，inthedepthofthewoods，inthesandsofthedesert，andevenonandinthebodiesofanimals。”
WasnotthisinrealitytheambitiousprogrammewhichFabrewaslatertoproposetohimselfwhenheenteredintohisHarmasandfoundedhislivinglaboratoryofentomology；healsohavingsethimselfashisexclusiveobjectthestudyof“theinsects，thehabitsoflife，thelabours，thestrugglesandthepropagationofthislittleworld，whichagricultureandphilosophyshouldcloselyconsider“？14/7。
Dufouralsohadadmirablygraspedtheplaceoftheinsectinthegeneralharmonyoftheuniverse，andheclearlyperceivedthatparasitism，thatimbricationofmutuallyusurpinglives，is“alawofequilibration，whoseobjectistosetalimittotheexcessivemultiplicationofindividualsofthesametype。”thattheparasitesarepredestinedtoanimprescriptiblemission，andthatthismysteriouslaw“defiesallexplanation。”
Ontheotherhand，hedidnotbecomeveryintimatewiththesetinypeoples；
hisattentionwasdispersedovertoomanypoints；perhapshewasfundamentallyincapableofconcentratinghimselfforalongperioduponacircumscribedobject；perhapshelackedthatfirstconditionofgenius，patience，soessentialtosuchresearches：althoughheenrichedsciencebyaninfinitemultitudeofpreciousfactsandhasrecordedaquantityofdetailsconcerningthehabitsofinsects，hedidnotsucceedinrepresentinganyoneoftheseinnumerablelittleminds。Hehadanintensefeelingfornature，buthewasnotabletointerpretit，andhisimmensevolumeofwork，scatteredthroughnearlythreehundredmonographs，remainsineffective。
Letuscomparewithhisworkthevastepicofthe“Souvenirs。”Webecomefamiliarwiththewholelifeoftheleastinsect，andallitsunendingrelatedcircumstances；weobtainsuddenglimpsesofinsightintoourownorganization，withitsabyssesanditslacunae，andalsointothoserichprovincesorfacultieswhichweareonlybeginningtosuspectinthedepthsofourunconsciousactivity。
Intheeveningtwilight，afterthevastandanteofthecicadaeishushed，atthehourwhentheshiningglow-worms“lighttheirbluefires。”andthe“paleItaliancricket，deliriouswithitsnocturnalmadness，chirrupsamongtherosemarythickets。”whileinthedistancesoundsthemelodioustinkleofthebell-ringerfrogs，replyingfromonehiding-placetoanother，theoldmastershowsusthatprofoundandmysteriousmagicwithwhichmatterisendowedbythefaintestglimmeroflife。
Heshowsustheintimateconnectionofthings，theuniversalharmonywhichsointimatelyalliesallcreatures；andheshowsusalsothateverywhereandallaroundus，inthesmallestobject，poetryexistslikeahiddenflame，ifonlyweknowhowtoseekit。
Andinrevealingsomanymarvellousenergiesineventhelowestcreatures，hehelpsustodivinetheinfinityofphenomenastillunguessed-at，whichthesubtletyoftheunknowableforcewhichthrillsthroughthewholeuniversehidesfromusunderthemosttrivialappearances。
Forhehasnottoldeverything；thisincommensurableregion，whichhadhithertoremainedunworked，isfarfrombeingexhausted。
Howmanyunknownandhiddenthingsarestilllefttobegleaned！Therewillbeaharvestforall。Rememberthat“eventhehumblestspecieseitherhasnohistory，orthelittlethathasbeenwrittenconcerningitcallsforseriousrevision“14/8。；thatasinglebush，suchasthebramble，sufficestorearmorethanfiftyspeciesofinsects，andthateachspecies，accordingtothejustobservationofRéaumur，“hasitshabits，itstricksofcunning，itscustoms，itsindustries，itsart，itsarchitecture，itsdifferentinstincts，anditsindividualgenius。”
Whatastupendousalphabettodecipher，ofwhichwehaveasyetonlycommencedtoreadthefirstfewletters！Whenweareabletoreaditalmostentirely，whenobserversaremorenumerousandhaveconcertedtheirefforts，mutuallyilluminating，completingandcorrectingoneanother，then，andthenonly，weshallsucceed，ifnotinresolvingsomeofthosehighproblemswhichhaveneverceasedtointerestmankind，atleastinseizingsomereflectedknowledgeofourselves，andinseeingalittlefartherintothekingdomofthemind。
CHAPTER15。THEEVENINGSATSéRIGNAN。
ButitwilldoubtlessbelongbeforeanewFabrewillresume，withthesameheroicardour，thelifeofsolitarylabour，variedonlybyafewaustererecreations。
Risingatsixo’clock，hewouldfirstofallpacethetilesofhiskitchen，breakfastinhand；soimperiousinhimwastheneedofaction，ifhismindwastoworksuccessfully，thatevenatthismomentofmorningmeditationhisbodymustalreadybeinmovement。Then，aftermanyturnsamongthebushesoftheenclosure，allirisedwithdropsofdewwhichwerealreadyevaporating，hewentstraighttohiscell：thatis，tothesilenceofhislaboratory。
There，inunsociablesilence，invisibletoall，heworkedhardandsteadilyuntilnoon；pursuinganobservationorcarryingoutsomeexperiment，orrecordingwhathesaworwhathehadseenthedaybefore，orre-draftinghisrecordsintheirfinalform。
Howmanywhohavecomehithertoknockuponthedoorinthesemorninghours，ortoringatthelittlegate，silentasthetomb，whichgivesupontheprivatepathfrequentedonlybyfoot-passengersontheirwaytothefields，haveundertakenafruitlessjourney！Butwithoutsuchdisciplinewouldithavebeenpossibletoaccomplishsuchataskashis？
Atlasthewouldleavehisworkroom；jaded，exhaustedbytheexcessiveintensityofhiswork，“facepaleandfeaturesdrawn。”15/1。
Nowheis“atleisure：thehalf-dayisover“15/2。；andhecansatisfyhisimmenseneednotofrepose，butofrelaxationanddistractioninlesssevereoccupations；forheisneveratanytimenoranywhereinactive；
incessantlymakingnotes，withlittlestumpsofpencilwhichhecarriesaboutinhispockets，andonthefirstscrapofpaperthatcomestohand，ofallthatpassesthroughhismind。Thoseeternalafternoons，whichusually，inthedepthoftheFrenchprovinces，provesodullandwearisome，seemshortenoughtohim。Nowhewillhaltbeforehisplants，nowstooptotheground，thebettertoobserveapassinginsect；alwaysinsearchofsomefreshsubjectofstudy；ornowbendingoverhismicroscope。15/3。
Thenheundertakes，forhislater-bornchildrenatSérignan，thedutieswhichheformerlyperformedfortheelderfamilyatOrange：heteachesthemhimself；hehasmuchtodowiththem，fortheirsakeandforhisownaswell，forheisjealousofpossessingthem，andheregretspartingwiththem。Theytoohavetheirtasksarrangedinadvance。
Theyarehisassistants，hisappointedcollaborators，whokeepandrelieveguard，undertaking，inhisabsence，someobservationalreadyinhand，sothatnodetailmaybelost，noincidentofthestorythatunrollsitselfsometimeswithexasperatingslownessbeneaththebell-coversofthelaboratoryoronsomebushinthegarden。Heinspiresthewholehouseholdwiththefireofhisowngenius，andallthoseabouthimarealmostasinterestedashe。
Athome，inthehouse，alwayswearinghiseternalfelthat，andabsorbedinmeditation，hespeakslittle，holdingthateverywordshouldhaveitsobject，andonlyemployingatermwhenhehastesteditsweightandmeaning。Silenceatmealtimesagainisarulethatnooneofhishouseholdwouldinfringe。Butheunbendshisbrowwhenhereceivesafriendathishospitabletable，wherebutlatelyhissmilingwifewouldsit，fulloflittleattentionsforhim。15/4。
Frugalinallrespects，hebarelytouchesthedishesbeforehim；avoidingallmeats，andsavinghimselfwhollyforthefruits；forisnotmannaturallyfrugivorous，byhisteeth，hisstomach，andhisbowels？Certaindishesrepelhim，forreasonsofsentimentratherthanthroughanyrealdisgust；suchaspatédefoiegras，whichremindshimtooforciblyofthesocruellytorturedgoose；suchcrueltyistoohighapricetopayforameregreasymouthful。15/5。Ontheotherhand，hedrinkswinewithpleasure，theharsh，rough“wineofthecountry“oftheplainsofSérignan。
Heisalsowellabletoappreciategoodthingsandappetizingcookery；nooneeverhadafinerpalate；butheishappiestinseeingothersappreciatethepleasuresofthetable。WitnessthatbreakfastworthyofGargantua，whichhehimselforganizedinhonourofhisguests，whomhehadinvitedtoanexcursionovertheVentouxAlp；whereheseemsexpresslytohavecommanded“thatallshouldcomeinshoals。”Whatatinklingofbottles，whatpilesofbread！Therearegreenolives“flowingwithbrine。”blackolives“seasonedwithoil。”sausagesofArles“withrosyflesh，marbledwithcubesoffatandwholepeppercorns。”legsofmuttonstuffedwithgarlic“todullthekeenedgeofhunger“；chickens“toamusethemolars“；
melonsofCavaillontoo，withwhitepulp，notforgettingthosewithorangepulp，andtocrownthefeastthoselittlecheeses，sodelightfullyflavoured，peculiartoMontVentoux，“spicedwithmountainherbs。”whichmeltinthemouth。15/6。
Buthisgreatestpleasureishispipe；abriar，whichinabsenceofmindheisalwaysallowingtogoout，andalwaysrelighting。
Respectfulofalltraditions，hehaskeptuptheobservanceofoldcustoms；
noChristmasEvehaseverbeenpassedundertheroofofhisHarmaswithouttheconsecratedmeatsuponthetable；theheartofcelery，thenougatofalmonds，thedishofsnails，andthesavoury-smellingturkey。Then，stuckintotheChristmasbread15/7。，thesprigsofholly，theverbouisset，thesacredbushwhoselittlestarryflowersandcoralberries，growingamidevergreenleaves，affirmtheeternalrebirthofindestructiblenature。
AtSérignanFabreislittleknownandlittleappreciated。Totellthetruth，folkregardhimaseccentric；theyhaveoftensurprisedhiminthecountrylyingonhisstomachinthemiddleofafield，orkneelingontheground，amagnifyingglassinhand，observingaflyorsomeoneofthoseinsignificantcreaturesinwhichnosanepersonwoulddeigntobeinterested。
Howshouldtheyknowhim，sincehenevergoesintothevillage？WhenhedidonceventurethithertovisithisfriendCharrasse，theschoolmaster，hisappearancewasaneventofwhicheveryonehadsomethingtosay，sogreatlydiditastonishtheinhabitants。15/8。
Yetheneverhesitatestoplacehisknowledgeattheserviceofall，andwelcomeswithcourtesytherarepilgrimsinwhomagenuineregardisvisible，althoughheisalwayscarefulnevertomakethemfeelhisownsuperiority；butheveryquicklydismisses，sometimesatriflehastily，thosewhoaremerelyindiscreetorimportunate；pedanticandignorantpersonshejudgesinstantaneouslywithhispiercingeyes；withsuchpeoplehecannotemergefromhisslightlygloomyreserve；heshutshimselfuplikethesnail，which，annoyedbysomedispleasingobject，retiresintoitsshell，andremainssilentintheirpresence。
Professorscometoconsulthim：askinghisadviceastotheirprogrammesofinstruction，orbegginghimtoresolvesomedifficultproblemordecidesomeespeciallyvexedquestion；andhisexplanationsaresosimple，soclear，sologicalthattheyareastonishedattheirownlackofcomprehensionandtheirembarrassment。15/9。
Buttherearefewwhoventurewithinthewallsofthatenclosure，whichseemstoshutoutallthetemptationsoftheouterworld；theonlyintimatevisitorstotheHarmasarethevillageschoolmaster——firstLaurent，thenLouisCharrasse15/10。，andlaterJullian——andablindman，Marius。
Thislatterlosthissightattheageoftwenty。Then，toearnaliving，hebegantomakeandrepairchairs，andinhismisfortune，althoughblindandextremelypoor，hekeptacalmandcontentedmind。
FabrehaddiscoveredthesageandtheblindmanonhisarrivalatSérignan，andalsoFavier15/11。，“thatothernative，whosejovialspiritwassoprompttorespond，andwhohelpedtodiguptheHarmas；tosetuptheplanksandtilesofthelittlekitchen-garden；arudetask，sincethisscrapofuncultivatedgroundwasthenbutaterribledesertofpebbles。”ToFavierfellthecareoftheflowers，forthenewownerwasagreatloverofflowers。Pottedplants，sometimesofrarespecies，werealready，asto-day，crowdedinrowsupontheterracebeforethehouse，whereallthesummertheyformedasortofvestibuleintheopenair，oneithersideoftheentrance；andtheseFabreneverceasedtowatchoverwithconstantandmeticulouscare。Bothspokethesamelanguage，andthewordstheyexchangedwerebornofalikephilosophy；forFavieralsolovednatureinhisownway，andatheartwasanartist；andwhen，aftertheday’swork，sitting“onthehighstoneofthekitchenhearth，whereroundlogsofgreenoakwereblazing。”hewouldevoke，inhispicturesqueandfigurativelanguage，thememoriesofanoldcampaigner，hecharmedallthehouseholdandtheeveningseemedtopasswithstrangerapidity。
Whenthispreciousservantandbooncompanionhaddisappeared，aftertwoyearsofdigging，sowing，weeding，andhoeing，allwasready；theframewascompletedandtheworkcouldbecommenced。ItwasthenthatMariusbecamethemaster’sappointedcollaborator，anditishewhonowconstructshisapparatus，hisexperimentalcages；stuffshisbirds，helpstoransackthesoil，andshadeshimwithanumbrellawhilehewatchesundertheburningsun。Mariuscannotsee，butsointimateishiscommunionwithhismaster，sokeenhisenthusiasmforallthatFabredoes，thathefollowsinhismind’seye，andasthoughhecouldactuallyseethem，allthedoingsatwhichheassists，andwhoseinwardreflectionlightsuphiswonderingcountenance。
Mariuswasnotonlyrichinfeelingandthegiftofinnervision；hehadalsoamarvellouslycorrectear。Hewasamemberofthe“Fanfare“ofSérignan，inwhichheplayedthebigdrum，andtherewasnoonelikehimforkeepingperfecttimeandforbringingouttheclashofthecymbals。
Charrassewasnolessferventadisciple；heworshippedscienceandallbeautifulthings；andhecouldevenconceiveanoblepassionforhisexhaustingtradeofschool-teaching。
LikeMarius，heate“abitterbread“；andFabrewouldgetonwiththemallthebetterinthatthey，likehimself，hadlivedadifficultlife。“Manislikethemedlar。”helikedtotellthem；“heisworthnothinguntilhehasripenedalongtimeintheattic，onthestraw。”
“L’hommeestcommelanèfle，iln’estrienquivailleS’iln’am？rilongtemps，augrenier，surlapaille。”
Thesehumblecompanionsaffordedhimthesimpleconversationwhichhelikessowell；sonatural，andsofullofsympathyandcommonsense。TheycustomarilyspentThursdayandSundayafternoonsattheHarmas；butthesebeloveddisciplesmightcallatanyhour；themasteralwayswelcomedthem，eveninthemorning，evenwhenhewasentirelyabsorbedinhisworkandcouldnotbearanyoneabouthim。Theywerehiscircle，hisacademy；hewouldreadthemthelastchapterwritteninthemorning；hesharedhislatestdiscoverieswiththem；hedidnotfeartoaskadviceoftheir“fertileignorance。”15/12。
Charrassewasa“Félibre。”versedinallthesecretsoftheProven？alidiom，ofwhichheknewallthepopularterms，thetypicalexpressionsandturnsofspeech；andFabrelovedtoconsulthim，toreadsomecharmingverseswhichhehadjustdiscovered，ortorecitesomedelightfulrusticpoemwithwhichhehadjustbeeninspired；forinsuchoccupationshefoundoneofhisfavouriterelaxations，givingfreeventtohisfancy，aloosereintothepoetthatdwellswithinhim。Thesepoemsthepietyofhisbrotherhaspreservedinthecollectionentitled“Oubreto。”Itisatsuchamomentthatoneshouldseehisblackeyes，fulloffire；hispowerofmimicryandexpression，hisimpassionedfeatures，litupbyinspiration，trulyidealized，almosttransfigured，areatsuchtimesathingtoberemembered。
Sometimes，again，intheshadowoftheplanes，onsummerafternoons，whenthecigaleswerefallingsilent；orinthewinter，beforetheblazingfireplace，inthatdining-roomonthegroundfloorinwhichhewelcomedhisvisitors；whenoutofdoorsthemistralwasroaringandraging，ortherainclatteringonthepanes，thelittlecirclewasenlargedbycertainnew-
comers，hisnephews，nieces，afewintimates，ofwhom，alittlelater，I
myselfwasoftenone。Atsuchtimeshishumourandimaginationweregivenfullplay，anditwastrulyararepleasuretositthere，sippingaglassofmulledwine，duringthosedelightfulandearnesthours；totastethecharmofhissmilingphilosophy，hispicturesqueconversation，fullofexactideas，allthemoreprofoundinthattheywerefoundedonexperienceandpointedoradornedbyproverbs，adages，andanecdotes。Thankstothedailyreadingofthe“Temps。”whichoneofhisfriendsregularlysendshim，Fabreisintouchwithalltheideasoftheday，andexpresseshisjudgmentofthem；forexample，hedoesnotconcealhisscepticismwithregardtocertainmoderninventions，suchastheaeroplane，whosenoveltyratherdisturbshismind，andwhosepracticalbearingseemstohimtobeonthewholesomewhatlimited。
ThuseventhemostrecentincidentsfindtheirwayintothesolitudeoftheHarmasandhelptosustaintheconversation。
“ThefirsttimeweresumeourSérignanevenings。”hewrotetohisnephewonthemorrowofoneoftheseintimategatherings，“wewillhavealittlechataboutyourJustinian，whomtherecentdramaof“Théodora“hasjustmadethefashion。Doyouknowthehistoryofthatterriblehussyandherstupidhusband？Perhapsnotentirely；itisatreatIamkeepingforyou。”
15/13。
TheonlysubjectwhichishardlyevermentionedduringtheseeveningsatSérignanispolitics，althoughFabre，strangeasitmayseem，wasoneyearappointedtositonthemunicipalcouncil。
Thesonofpeasants，whohasemergedfromthepeopleyethasalwaysremainedapeasant，hastookeenasenseofinjusticenottobeademocrat；
andhowmanyyoungmenhashenottaughttoemancipatethemselvesbyknowledge？ButaboveallheisproudofbeingaFrenchman；hismind，solucid，sological，whichhasnevergoneabroadinsearchofitsowninspirations，andhasneverbeeninfluencedbyanybutthoseoldFrenchmasters，Fran？oisDufourandRéaumur，andtheoldFrenchclassics，hasalwaysfeltaninstinctiverepugnance，whichithasneverbeenabletoovercome，forallthoseideaswhichsomearesurreptitiouslyseekingtoputforwardinourmidstinfavourofsomeforeigntrade-mark。
AlthoughhisvisittothecourtofNapoleonIIIlefthimwitharathersympatheticideaoftheEmperor，whosegentle，dreamyappearancehestilllikestorecall，hedetestedtheEmpireandthe“brigand’strick“whichestablishedit。
OnthedayoftheproclamationoftheRepublichewasseeninthestreetsofAvignonincompanywithsomeofhispupils。Hewasagreeablysurprisedattheturneventshadtaken，anddelightedbytheunforeseenresultofthewar。
Aspiritasproudandindependentashiswasnaturallytheenemyofanyspeciesofservitude。Statesocialismoftheequalitarianandcommunistickindwastohimnolesshorrifying。WasnotNatureathand，alwaystoremindhimofhereternallessons？
“Equality，amagnificentpoliticallabel，butscarcelymore！Whereisit，thisequality？Inoursocietiesshallwefindeventwopersonsexactlyequalinvigour，health，intelligence，capacityforwork，foresight，andsomanyothergiftswhicharethegreatfactorsofprosperity？……Asinglenotedoesnotmakeaharmony：wemusthavedissimilarnotes；discordseven，which，bytheirharshness，givevaluetotheconcords；humansocietiesareharmoniousonlythus，bytheconcourseofdissimilarities。”15/14。
AndwhatapuerileUtopia，whatadisappointingillusionisthatofcommunism！Letusseeunderwhatconditions，atthepriceofwhatsacrifices，naturehereandthererealizesit。
Amongthebees“twentythousandrenouncematernityanddevotethemselvestocelibacytoraisetheprodigiousfamilyofasinglemother。”
Amongtheants，thewasps，thetermites“thousandsandthousandsremainincompleteandbecomehumbleauxiliariesofafewwhoaresexuallygifted。”
WouldyoubychancereducemantothelifeoftheProcessionalcaterpillars，contenttonibblethepine-needlesamongwhichtheylive，andwhich，satisfiedtomarchcontinuallyalongthesametracks，findwithinreachanabundant，easy，andidlesubsistence？Allhavethesamesize，thesamestrength，thesameaptitudes。Noinitiative。“Whatonedoestheothersdo，withequalzeal，neitherbetternorworse。”Ontheotherhand，thereis“nosex，nolove。”Andwhatwouldbeasocietyinwhichtherewasnoworkdoneforpleasureandfromwhichloveandthefamilywerebanished？Whatwouldbetheeffectuponitsprogress，itswelfare，itshappiness？Wouldnotallthatmakethecharmoflifedisappearforgood？Howeverimperfectourpresentsocietymaybe，howevermysteriousitsdestinies，itisnotinsocialismthatFabreforeseestheperfectionoffuturehumanity，fortohimthetruehumanitydoesnotasyetexist；itismakingitsway，itisslowlyprogressing，andinthisevolutionhewisheswithallhishearttobelieve。
Modernhumanityisasyetonlyashapelessgrimacingcaricature，anditslifeislikeaplaywrittenbymadmenandplayedbydrunkenactors；
accordingtothoseprofoundwordsofthegreatpoet，withwhichhismindisinsomesortimbued；whichheoftenrepeats，andwhichhehastranscribedattheheadofoneofhislastrecordsasanepigraphandaconstantreminder。
Andyouwhogroanoverthedistressingproblemofdepopulation，lendaneartothelessonoftheCopris，“whichtreblesitscustomarybatchofoffspringintimesofabundance，andintimesofdearthimitatestheartisanofthecitywhohasonlyjustenoughtoliveon，orthebourgeois，whosenumerouswantsaremoreandmorecostlytosatisfy，limitingthenumberofitsoffspringlesttheyshouldgoinwant，oftenreducingthenumberofitschildrentoasingleone。”15/15。
Insteadofrunningaftersomanyfalseappearancesandfalsepleasures，learntoreturntosimplertastes，tomorerusticmanners；freeyourselvesfromamassoffactitiousneeds；steepyourselfanewintheantiquesobriety，whosedesiresweresager；returntothefields，thesourceofabundance，andtheearth，theeternalfoster-mother！
Andinthisappealtoreturntonature，whichperhapssincethetimeofRousseauhasneverbeenwordedsoeloquently，Fabrehasinviewifnotthestrong，thepredestined，whoarecalledelsewhere，andwhoareactuatedbythesenseofgreattaskstobeperformed，atleastallthoseofruralorigin，allthoseforwhomtheloveofthefamily，thedailytask，andapeacefulheartarereallythegreatthingsoflife，thethingsthatcount，thethingsthatsuffice。
Hehimself，althoughhewasoneofthestrong，didnotcaretobreakanyofthetiesthatboundhimtohisorigins。LiketheOsmia，“whichretainsatenaciousmemoryofitshome。”thebelovedvillageofhischildhoodhasneverbeeneffacedfromhismemory，andforalongtimethedesiretoleavehisbonestherehauntedhim。Hismindoftenreturnedtoit；hethoughtthatthere，betterthananywhereelse，hewouldfindpeace；thatitwouldpleasehimtowanderamongtherocks，thetrees，thestoneswhichhehadsoloved，intheolddays，andthatallthesethingswouldrecognizehimtoo。
Oneday，however，whenIwasbegginghimtomakeuphismindonthispoint——
itwasoneofthosepeacefuleveningswhicharetroubledundertheplane-
treesonlybythetinklingofthefountain——heconfidedtomethathisbelovedSérignanhadatlast，inhissecretpreferences，obliteratedtheoldlonging。Asheadvancedinlife，infact，althoughheneverforgothisrudenatalcountryside，hefeltthatnewlinksweredailybindinghimmorecloselytothoseheathsandmountainsonwhichhishearthadbeensooftenthrilledwiththeintensejoyofdiscovery，andthatitwasindeedinthissoil，tohimsofullofdelight，amiditsbeautifulhymenopteraandscarabaei，thathewouldwishtobeburied。
Fabreisbynomeansthemisanthropethatsomehavechosentothinkhim。Hedelightsinthesocietyofwomen，andknowshowtowelcomethemgracefully；
andmorethananyoneheissensitivetothepleasantandstimulatingimpressionsproducedbytheconversationofcultivatedpeople。
Heisnolessfondofthearts，providedhefindsinthemasincereinterpretationoflife。Thisiswhythetheatre，withitsfalsevalues，itstinselandaffectation，hastohimseemedagrossdeformationofthereality，eversincethedaywhenatAjaccioheattendedaperformanceof“Norma。”inwhichthemoonwasrepresentedbyaroundtransparentdisc，litfrombehindbyalanternhangingattheendofastring，whoseoscillationrevealedbyturnsfirsttheluminaryandthenthetransparency。Thiswasenoughtodisgusthimforeverwiththetheatreandtheopera，whosemotionlesschoruses，contrastingwiththesometimesfranticmovementofthemusic，lefthimwithamemoryofaninsaneandillogicalperformance。
Nevertheless，headoredmusic，ofwhichheknewsomething，havinglearnedit，ashelearnedhisdrawing，withoutamaster；buthepreferredthenaivesongsofthecountry，orthemelodyofaflute；tothemostscholarlyconcert-music。15/16。Intheintimacyofthemodestchamberwhichservesasthefamilysalon，withitsfewshabbyandold-fashionedpiecesoffurniture，heplaysonanindifferentharmoniumlittleairsofhisowncomposition，thesubjectsofwhichwereatfirstsuggestedbyhisownpoetry。LikeRollinat，Fabrerightlyconsidersthatmusicshouldcomplete，accentuate，andreleasethatwhichpoetryhasperforceleftincompleteorindefinite。Thisiswhyhemakesthebiselaughandsingandroar；whyheimitatestheorgan-tonesofthewindinthepines，andseekstoreproducesomeoftheinnumerablerhythmsofnature；thefrenzyofthelizard，thewrigglingofthestickle-back，thejumpinggaitofthefrog，theshrillhumofthemosquito，thecomplaintofthecricket，themovingoftheScarabaei，andtheflightoftheLibellulae。
Toobusybydaytofindtimeformuchreading，itwasatnightthathewouldshuthimselfup。Retiringearlytohislittlechamber，withbarewallsandbaretilefloor，andawindowopeningtothegarden，hewouldlieonhislowbed，withcurtainsofgreenserge，andwouldoftenreadfarintothenight。
Thisphilosopher，towhosebooksthephilosophersofthefuturewillresortfornewtheoriesandoriginalideas，refusestohaveanycommercewithotherphilosophers，disdainingtheirsystemsandpreferringtogostraighttothefacts。EvenwhenhetookupDarwin’s“OriginofSpecies“hedidlittlemorethanopenthebook；sowearisomeanduninteresting，hetoldme，didhefindthereadingofit。Ontheotherhand，heisfulloftheancientphilosophers，andashedidnotreadthemveryextensivelyinhisyouthandmiddleage，hehasreturnedtothemfinallywithloveandpredilectionfor“thesegoodoldbooks。”Unlikemanythinkersoftheday，heispersuadedthatwecannotwithimpunitydispensewithclassicstudies；andherightlyconsidersthatscienceandthehumanitiesarenotrivals，butallies。AboveallhehasaparticularaffectionforVirgil；onemaysaythatheissteepedinhispoetry；andheknowsLaFontainebyheart。Thestyleofthelatteriscuriouslylikehisown，andFabreownshimselfashisdisciple；
certainlyLaFontaine’sisthemostactiveinfluencewhichhisworkreveals。HehasaprofoundacquaintancewithRabelais，whowasalwayshis“friend“andwhoconstantlycropsupinhisconversationandhischanceremarks。
Afterthesehisintellectualfoster-parentshavebeenCourrier，Toussenel，ofwhomheispassionatelyfond，andRousseau，ofwhomhecaresforlittlebuthis“Lettressurlabotanique。”fullofsuchfreshimpressions，inwhichwefeelnottheliterarymanbutthe“craftsman“；healsocherishesMichelet；sofullofintuition，althoughheneverhandledactualthingsandknewnothingofthepracticeofthesciences；notlearned，butoverflowingwithlove；hismagicpen，hispowersofevocation，andhisdeftbrushworkdelightFabre，despitethepovertyandinsufficiencyofhisfundamentalfacts15/17。；sometimesMichelethadbeenhisinspiration。Thetwodoreallyresembleoneanother；MicheletwasnolessfittedthanFabretoplaytheconfidanttoNature，andhisheartwasofthesamemettle。
SinceIhavespokenofhisfavourites，letmealsospeakofhisdislikes；
Racine，whomhecannotbear；Molière，whomhedoesnotreallylike；Buffon，whomhefranklydetestsforhistoofluentprose，hisostentatiousstyle，andhisvainrhetoric。Theonlynaturalistwhomhemightreallyhavedelightedin，hadhepossessedhisworksandbeenabletoreadthematleisure，isAudubon，theenthusiasticpainterofthebirdsofAmerica。Inhimhefeltthepresenceofamindandatemperalmostidenticalwithhisown。
CHAPTER16。TWILIGHT。
Howhehaslabouredinthissolitude！Forheconsidersthatheisstillfarfromhavingcompletedhistask。Hefeelsmoreandmorethathehasscarcelydonemorethansketchthehistoryofthissingularandalmostunknownworld。“ThemoreIgoforward。”hewrotetohisbrotherin1903，“themoreclearlyIseethatIhavestruckmypickintoaninexhaustiblevein，wellworthyofbeingexploited。”16/1。
Whatstudieshehasundertaken，whatobservationshehascarriedout，“almostatthesametime，thesamemoment！“Hislaboratoryiscrowdedwiththesesubjectsofexperiments。“AsthoughIhadalongfuturebeforeme“——
hewasthenjusteightyyearsold——“Icontinueindefatigablymyresearchesintothelivesoftheselittlecreatures。”16/2。
Workinsolitudeseemstohim，moreandmore，theonlylifepossible，andhecannotevenimagineanyother。
“Theouterworldscarcelytemptsmeatall；surroundedbymylittlefamily，itisenoughformetogointothewoodsfromtimetotime，tolistentotheflutingoftheblackbirds。Theveryideaofthetowndisgustsme。
Henceforthitwouldbeimpossibleformetoliveinthelittlecageofacitizen。HereIam，runwild，andIshallbesotilltheend。”16/3。
Forhimworkhasbecomemorethaneveranorganicfunction，thetruecorollaryoflife。“Awaywithrepose！Forhimwhowouldspendhislifeproperlythereisnothinglikework——solongasthemachinewilloperate。”
Isthisnotthegreatlawforallcreaturessolongaslifelasts？
Whyshouldthemanwhohasmadeafortune，whohasneitherchildrennorrelations，andwhomaydietomorrow，continuetoworkforhimselfalone，toemployhisdaysandhisenergiesinuselesslabourswhichwillprofitneitherhimselfnorhiskind？
AskoftheHalictus，which，nolongercapableofbecomingamother，makesherselfguardianofacity，inorderstilltolabourwithinthemeasureofhermeans。
AskoftheOsmia，theMegachile，theAnthidium，which“withnomaternalaim，forthesolejoyoflabour，strivetoexpendtheirforcesintheaccomplishmentoftheirvaintasks，untiltheforcesoflifefail。”
Askofthebee，whichinactionleavespassiveandmelancholysothatshepresentlydiesofweariness；oftheChalicodoma，soeageraworkerthatshewill“letherselfbecrushedunderthefeetofthepasser-byratherthanabandonhertask。”
Askitofallnature，whichknowsneitherhaltnorrepose，andwho，accordingtotheprofoundsayingofGoethe“haspronouncedhermaledictionuponallthatretardsorsuspendsherprogress。”
Letusthenlabour，menandbeasts，“sothatwemaysleepinpeace；grubsandcaterpillarsinthattorporwhichpreparesthemforthetransformationintomothsandbutterflies，andourselvesinthesupremeslumberwhichdissolveslifeinordertorenewit。”
Letuswork，inordertonourishwithinourselvesthatdivineintuitionthankstowhichweleaveouroriginalimpressuponnature；letuswork，inordertobringourhumblecontributiontothegeneralharmonyofthings，byourpainfulandmeritoriouslabour；inorderthatwemayassociateourselveswithGod，shareinHiscreation，andembellishandadorntheearthandfillitwithwonders。16/4。
Forwardthen！alwayserect，evenamidthetombs，toforgetourgriefs。
Fabrefindsnobetterconsolationtoofferhisbrother，whohaslostalmostinsuccessionhiswifeandhiseldestdaughter：
“DonottakeitillifIhavenotcondoledwithyouonthesubjectofyourrecentlosses。Triedsooftenbythebitternessofdomesticgrief，Iknowtoowelltheinanityofsuchconsolationstooffertheliketomyfriends。
Timealonedoesalittlecicatrizesuchwounds；and，letusadd，work。Letuskeeponourfeetandatworkaslongasweareable。Iknownobettertonic。”16/5。
Andthisexhortationtowork，whichrecurssoofteninthefirstlettersofhisyouth，wastobethelastwordofthelastvolumewhichsosplendidlyterminatestheincomparableseriesofhis“Souvenirs“：“Laboremus。”……
Agehaskilledneitherhiscouragenorhisenergies，andhecontinuestoworkwiththesamezealatnearlyninetyyearsofage，andwithasmucheagernessasthoughheweredestinedtoliveforever。
Althoughhisphysicalforcesarefailinghim，althoughhislimbsfalter，hisbrainremainsintact，andisgivingusitslastfruitinhisstudiesontheCabbagecaterpillarandtheGlow-worm，whichmarkasuddenrejuvenescenceofthoughtonhispart，andthecommencementofanewcycleofstudies，whichpromisetobeofthegreatestoriginality。
Tohimtheanimalworldhasalwaysbeenfullofdizzysurprises，andtheinsectsledhim“intoanewandbarelysuspectedregion，whichisALMOST
ABSURD。”16/6。
Theglow-worms，motionlessontheirtwigsofthyme，lighttheirlampsofanevening，inthecoolofthebeautifulsummernights。Whatdothesefiressignify？Howexplainthemysteryofthisphosphorescence？Whythisslowcombustion，“thisspeciesofrespiration，moreactivethanintheordinarystate“？andwhatistheoxidizablesubstance“whichgivesthiswhiteandgentleluminosity“？IsitaflameoflovelikethatwhichlightstheAgaricoftheolive-tree“tocelebrateitsnuptialsandtheemissionofitsspores“？Butwhatreasoncanthelarvahaveforilluminatingitself？Whyistheegg，alreadyenclosedinthesecrecyoftheovaries，alreadyluminous？
“ThesoftlightoftheAgarichasconfoundedourideasofoptics；itdoesnotrefract，itdoesnotformanimagewhenpassedthroughalens，itdoesnotaffectordinaryphotographicplates。”16/7。
Buthereareothermiracles：
“Anotherfungus，theClathrix，withnotraceofphosphorescence，affectsphotographicplatesalmostasquicklyaswouldarayofsunlight。TheClathrixtenebrosadoeswhattheAgaricusoleariushasnopowertodo。”
16/8。
AndifthebeaconoftheGlow-wormrecallsthelightoftheAgaric，theClathrixremindsusofanotherinsect，theGreaterPeacockmoth。
Intheobscurityofadarkchamberthissplendidmothemitsphantasmalradiations，perhapsintermittentandreservedfortheseasonofnuptials，signalsinvisibletous，andperceptibleonlytothosechildrenofthenight，whomayhavefoundthismeanstocommunicateonewithanother，tocalloneanotherinthedarkness，andtospeakwithoneanother。16/9。
Sucharetheinterestingsubjectswhichonlyyesterdaywereoccupyingthisgreatworker；theoccultproperties，theradiantenergiesoforganicmatter；ofphosphorescence，oflight，thelivingsymbolsofthegreatuniversalEros。
ButembarrassmentlongagosucceededtheephemeralprosperitywhichmarkedthefirstyearsofhisinstallationatSérignan，andthatperiodofplentywasfollowedbyaperiodofdifficulty，almostofindigence。Hisclass-
books，whichhadsucceededmarvellously，andfromwhichtheroyaltieshadquicklyattainedtonearly640poundssterling，whichwastheaveragefigurefornearlytenyears，werethennolongerinvogue。Alreadythetimeshadchanged。Francewasinthecrisisoftheanti-clericalfever。
Fabremadefrequentallusionsinhisbooksofaspiritualnature，andmanyprimaryinspectorscouldnotforgivewhattheyregardedasablemish。
Wemustalsomentionthekeencompetitioncausedbytheappearanceofsimilarbooks，usuallycounterfeit，andthemoreharmfulforthat；andastheiradoptiondependedentirelyonthecapriceofcommissionsorthechoiceofinterestedpersons，thoseofFabreweregraduallyceasingtosell。
Itwasfrom1894especiallythattheirpopularitydeclinedsorapidly：
“DespiteallmyeffortshereIammoreanxiousthaneveraboutthefuture。”
hewrotetohispublisheronthe27thofJanuary，1899；“twomoreofmybooksareabouttodisappear，apreludetototalshipwreck……Ibegintodespair。”16/10。
Hewasnotthemantohavesavedmuchmoney；numerouschargeswerealwaysimposingthemselvesonhim，andhisfirstwife，carelessofexpenditure，hadbeensomewhatextravagant。
Whilehispositionasteacherdeterioratedhis“Souvenirs“broughthimlittlemorethananominalprofit；fortomostpeoplehewasstillcompletelyunknownamongthepotentateswhomonopolizetheattentionofthecrowd。
“WorksuchasaRéaumurmightbeproudofwillleavemeabeggar，thatgoeswithoutsaying，butatleastIshallhaveleftmygrainofsand。Iwouldlongagohavegivenupindespair，hadInot，togivemecourage，thecontinualresearchaftertruthinthelittleworldwhosehistorianIhavebecome。Iamhoardingideas，andImakeshifttoliveasIcan。”16/11。
Yethisreputationhadlongagocrossedthefrontiersofhiscountry。HehadbeenacorrespondingmemberoftheInstituteofFrancesince1887，andaPetitd’Ormoyprizeman。16/12。Hewasamemberofthemostcelebratedforeignacademies，andtheentomologicalsocietiesofthechiefcapitalsofEurope；buthisfamehadnotpassedthewallsoftheseacademiesandthenarrowboundariesofthelittleworldofprofessionalbiologistsandphilosophers。
Eveninthesecircles，wherehewasalmostexclusivelyreadandappreciated，hewaslittleknown，andalthoughhewasmuchadmired，althoughhewasreadilygivencreditforhisadmirabletalentandexceptionalknowledge，hisreaderswerefarfromrealizingtherealpowersofthisworldoflifewhichhehascalledintobeing。Hisbooksareofthosewhosefertilizingvirtuesremainlonghidden，toshineonlyatadistance，whenmuchfrothywriting，thathasmadeasuddennoiseinitstime，hasfallenintooblivion。
Everytwoorthreeyears，aftermuchfondpolishing，hewouldopenthedoortoyetanothervolumewhichwasreadytogoforth；addingastonishingchaptersofthehistoryofinsects，wonderfulfragmentsofanimalpsychology，butalwaysobtainingonlythesamecircumscribedsuccess；thatis，excitingnopubliccuriosity，andremainingunperceivedinthemidstofgeneralindifference。
Hisbooksinterestedonlyaselectclass，who，itistrue，welcomedthemeagerly，andreadthemwithwonderanddelight。Iftheyexcitedthecuriosityofafewphilosophers，ofscientistsandinquirers，andhereandtheredeterminedavocation，stillmore，perhaps，didtheycharmwritersandpoets；theyconsoledRostandattheendofaseriousillness，theirvirtue，insomesorthealing，procuringhimbothmoralreposeandadelightfulrelaxation。16/13。Forallthese，wemaysay，hehasbeenoneofthosetenortwelveauthorswhomonewouldwishtotakewithoneintoalongexile，weretheyreducedtochoosingnomorebeforeleavingcivilizationforever。
Yetwemustadmitthatthisworkhascertainundeniablefaults。Thetitle，inthefirstplace，hasnothingalluringaboutit，andiscalculatedtodeterratherthantoattractpurchasers，byevokingvagueideasofrepulsivestudies，tooarduousortoospecial。
Peoplehavenoideaofthewonderfulfairylandconcealedbythisunpopulartitle；noconceptionthattheserecordsareintended，notmerelyforthescientistpureandsimple，butinrealityforeveryone。