Dr。Howard’sbookdeclaresthat，inordertoridaneighborhoodofmosquitoes，itisonlynecessarytopouralittlepetroleum，orkeroseneoil，intothestagnantwaterwheretheybreed。Onceaweektheoilshouldbeused，\"attherateofonceounceforeveryfifteensquarefeetofwater-surface，andaproportionatequantityforanylesssurface。\"……Butpleasetoconsidertheconditionsinmyneighborhood！
IhavesaidthatmytormentorscomefromtheBuddhistcemetery。Beforenearlyeverytombinthatoldcemeterythereisawater-receptacle，orcistern，calledmizutame。Inthemajorityofcasesthismizutameissimplyanoblongcavitychiseledinthebroadpedestalsupportingthemonument;
butbeforetombsofacostlykind，havingnopedestal-tank，alargerseparatetankisplaced，cutoutofasingleblockofstone，anddecoratedwithafamilycrest，orwithsymboliccarvings。Infrontofatombofthehumblestclass，havingnomizutame，waterisplacedincupsorothervessels，——forthedeadmusthavewater。Flowersalsomustbeofferedtothem;andbeforeeverytombyouwillfindapairofbamboocups，orotherflower-vessels;andthese，ofcourse，containwater。Thereisawellinthecemeterytosupplywaterforthegraves。Wheneverthetombsarevisitedbyrelativesandfriendsofthedead，freshwaterispouredintothetanksandcups。Butasanoldcemeteryofthiskindcontainsthousandsofmizutame，andtensofthousandsofflower-vesselsthewaterinallofthesecannotberenewedeveryday。Itbecomesstagnantandpopulous。Thedeepertanksseldomgetdry;——therainfallatTokyobeingheavyenoughtokeepthempartlyfilledduringninemonthsoutofthetwelve。
Well，itisinthesetanksandflower-vesselsthatmineenemiesareborn：
theyrisebymillionsfromthewaterofthedead;——and，accordingtoBuddhistdoctrine，someofthemmaybereincarnationsofthoseverydead，condemnedbytheerrorofformerlivestotheconditionofJiki-ketsu-gaki，orblood-drinkingpretas……AnyhowthemalevolenceoftheCulexfasciatuswouldjustifythesuspicionthatsomewickedhumansoulhadbeencompressedintothatwailingspeckofabody……
Now，toreturntothesubjectofkerosene-oil，youcanexterminatethemosquitoesofanylocalitybycoveringwithafilmofkeroseneallstagnantwatersurfacestherein。Thelarvaedieonrisingtobreathe;andtheadultfemalesperishwhentheyapproachthewatertolaunchtheirraftsofeggs。
AndIread，inDr。Howard’sbook，thattheactualcostoffreeingfrommosquitoesoneAmericantownoffiftythousandinhabitants，doesnotexceedthreehundreddollars！……
Iwonderwhatwouldbesaidifthecity-governmentofTokyo——whichisaggressivelyscientificandprogressive——weresuddenlytocommandthatallwater-surfacesintheBuddhistcemeteriesshouldbecovered，atregularintervals，withafilmofkeroseneoil！Howcouldthereligionwhichprohibitsthetakingofanylife——evenofinvisiblelife——yieldtosuchamandate？Wouldfilialpietyevendreamofconsentingtoobeysuchanorder？Andthentothinkofthecost，inlaborandtime，ofputtingkeroseneoil，everysevendays，intothemillionsofmizutame，andthetensofmillionsofbambooflower-cups，intheTokyograveyards！……Impossible！
Tofreethecityfrommosquitoesitwouldbenecessarytodemolishtheancientgraveyards;——andthatwouldsignifytheruinoftheBuddhisttemplesattachedtothem;——andthatwouldmeanthedisparitionofsomanycharminggardens，withtheirlotus-pondsandSanscrit-letteredmonumentsandhumpybridgesandholygrovesandweirdly-smilingBuddhas！SotheexterminationoftheCulexfasciatuswouldinvolvethedestructionofthepoetryoftheancestralcult，——surelytoogreatapricetopay！……
Besides，Ishouldlike，whenmytimecomes，tobelaidawayinsomeBuddhistgraveyardoftheancientkind，——sothatmyghostlycompanyshouldbeancient，caringnothingforthefashionsandthechangesandthedisintegrationsofMeiji（1）。Thatoldcemeterybehindmygardenwouldbeasuitableplace。Everythingthereisbeautifulwithabeautyofexceedingandstartlingqueerness;eachtreeandstonehasbeenshapedbysomeold，oldidealwhichnolongerexistsinanylivingbrain;eventheshadowsarenotofthistimeandsun，butofaworldforgotten，thatneverknewsteamorelectricityormagnetismor——keroseneoil！Alsointheboomofthebigbellthereisaquaintnessoftonewhichwakensfeelings，sostrangelyfar-awayfromallthenineteenth-centurypartofme，thatthefaintblindstirringsofthemmakemeafraid，——deliciouslyafraid。NeverdoIhearthatbillowingpealbutIbecomeawareofastrivingandaflutteringintheabyssalpartofmyghost，——asensationasofmemoriesstrugglingtoreachthelightbeyondtheobscurationsofamillionmilliondeathsandbirths。Ihopetoremainwithinhearingofthatbell……And，consideringthepossibilityofbeingdoomedtothestateofaJiki-ketsu-gaki，Iwanttohavemychanceofbeingreborninsomebambooflower-cup，ormizutame，whenceImightissuesoftly，singingmythinandpungentsong，tobitesomepeoplethatIknow。
ANTS
I
Thismorningsky，afterthenight’stempest，isapureanddazzlingblue。
Theair——thedeliciousair！——isfullofsweetresinousodors，shedfromthecountlesspine-boughsbrokenandstrewnbythegale。Intheneighboringbamboo-groveIheartheflute-callofthebirdthatpraisestheSutraoftheLotos;andthelandisverystillbyreasonofthesouthwind。Nowthesummer，longdelayed，istrulywithus：butterfliesofqueerJapanesecolorsareflickeringabout;semi（1）arewheezing;waspsarehumming;
gnatsaredancinginthesun;andtheantsarebusyrepairingtheirdamagedhabitations……IbethinkmeofaJapanesepoem：——
Yukuenaki：
Arinosumaiya！
Go-getsuame。
[Nowthepoorcreaturehasnowheretogo！……Alasforthedwellingsoftheantsinthisrainofthefifthmonth！]
Butthosebigblackantsinmygardendonotseemtoneedanysympathy。
Theyhaveweatheredthestorminsomeunimaginableway，whilegreattreeswerebeinguprooted，andhousesblowntofragments，androadswashedoutofexistence。Yet，beforethetyphoon，theytooknoothervisibleprecautionthantoblockupthegatesoftheirsubterraneantown。Andthespectacleoftheirtriumphanttoilto-dayimpelsmetoattemptanessayonAnts。
IshouldhaveliketoprefacemydisquisitionswithsomethingfromtheoldJapaneseliterature，——somethingemotionalormetaphysical。ButallthatmyJapanesefriendswereabletofindformeonthesubject，——exceptingsomeversesoflittleworth，——wasChinese。ThisChinesematerialconsistedchieflyofstrangestories;andoneofthemseemstomeworthquoting，——
fautedemieux。
*
IntheprovinceofTaishu，inChina，therewasapiousmanwho，everyday，duringmanyyears，ferventlyworshipedacertaingoddess。Onemorning，whilehewasengagedinhisdevotions，abeautifulwoman，wearingayellowrobe，cameintohischamberandstoodbeforehim。He，greatlysurprised，askedherwhatshewanted，andwhyshehadenteredunannounced。Sheanswered：\"Iamnotawoman：Iamthegoddesswhomyouhavesolongandsofaithfullyworshiped;andIhavenowcometoprovetoyouthatyourdevotionhasnotbeeninvain……AreyouacquaintedwiththelanguageofAnts？\"Theworshiperreplied：\"Iamonlyalow-bornandignorantperson，——
notascholar;andevenofthelanguageofsuperiormenIknownothing。\"Atthesewordsthegoddesssmiled，anddrewfromherbosomalittlebox，shapedlikeanincensebox。Sheopenedthebox，dippedafingerintoit，andtooktherefromsomekindofointmentwithwhichsheanointedtheearsoftheman。\"Now，\"shesaidtohim，\"trytofindsomeAnts，andwhenyoufindany，stoopdown，andlistencarefullytotheirtalk。Youwillbeabletounderstandit;andyouwillhearofsomethingtoyouradvantage……OnlyrememberthatyoumustnotfrightenorvextheAnts。\"Thenthegoddessvanishedaway。
ThemanimmediatelywentouttolookforsomeAnts。HehadscarcelycrossedthethresholdofhisdoorwhenheperceivedtwoAntsuponastonesupportingoneofthehouse-pillars。Hestoopedoverthem，andlistened;
andhewasastonishedtofindthathecouldhearthemtalking，andcouldunderstandwhattheysaid。\"Letustrytofindawarmerplace，\"proposedoneoftheAnts。\"Whyawarmerplace？\"askedtheother;——\"whatisthematterwiththisplace？\"\"Itistoodampandcoldbelow，\"saidthefirstAnt;\"thereisabigtreasureburiedhere;andthesunshinecannotwarmthegroundaboutit。\"ThenthetwoAntswentawaytogether，andthelistenerranforaspade。
Bydiggingintheneighborhoodofthepillar，hesoonfoundanumberoflargejarsfullofgoldcoin。Thediscoveryofthistreasuremadehimaveryrichman。
AfterwardsheoftentriedtolistentotheconversationofAnts。Buthewasneveragainabletohearthemspeak。Theointmentofthegoddesshadopenedhisearstotheirmysteriouslanguageforonlyasingleday。
*
NowI，likethatChinesedevotee，mustconfessmyselfaveryignorantperson，andnaturallyunabletoheartheconversationofAnts。ButtheFairyofSciencesometimestouchesmyearsandeyeswithherwand;andthen，foralittletime，Iamabletohearthingsinaudible，andtoperceivethingsimperceptible。
II
Forthesamereasonthatitisconsideredwicked，insundrycircles，tospeakofanon-Christianpeoplehavingproducedacivilizationethicallysuperiortoourown，certainpersonswillnotbepleasedbywhatIamgoingtosayaboutants。Buttherearemen，incomparablywiserthanIcaneverhopetobe，whothinkaboutinsectsandcivilizationsindependentlyoftheblessingsofChristianity;andIfindencouragementinthenewCambridgeNaturalHistory，whichcontainsthefollowingremarksbyProfessorDavidSharp，concerningants：——
\"Observationhasrevealedthemostremarkablephenomenainthelivesoftheseinsects。Indeedwecanscarcelyavoidtheconclusionthattheyhaveacquired，inmanyrespects，theartoflivingtogetherinsocietiesmoreperfectlythanourownspecieshas;andthattheyhaveanticipatedusintheacquisitionofsomeoftheindustriesandartsthatgreatlyfacilitatesociallife。\"
Isupposethatafewwell-informedpersonswilldisputethisplainstatementbyatrainedspecialist。Thecontemporarymanofscienceisnotapttobecomesentimentalaboutantsorbees;buthewillnothesitatetoacknowledgethat，inregardtosocialevolution，theseinsectsappeartohaveadvanced\"beyondman。\"Mr。HerbertSpencer，whomnobodywillchargewithromantictendencies，goesconsiderablyfurtherthanProfessorSharp;
showingusthatantsare，inaveryrealsense，ethicallyaswellaseconomicallyinadvanceofhumanity，——theirlivesbeingentirelydevotedtoaltruisticends。Indeed，ProfessorSharpsomewhatneedlesslyqualifieshispraiseoftheantwiththiscautiousobservation：——
\"Thecompetenceoftheantisnotlikethatofman。Itisdevotedtothewelfareofthespeciesratherthantothatoftheindividual，whichis，asitwere，sacrificedorspecializedforthebenefitofthecommunity。\"
——Theobviousimplication，——thatanysocialstate，inwhichtheimprovementoftheindividualissacrificedtothecommonwelfare，leavesmuchtobedesired，——isprobablycorrect，fromtheactualhumanstandpoint。Formanisyetimperfectlyevolved;andhumansocietyhasmuchtogainfromhisfurtherindividualization。Butinregardtosocialinsectstheimpliedcriticismisopentoquestion。\"Theimprovementoftheindividual，\"saysHerbertSpencer，\"consistsinthebetterfittingofhimforsocialcooperation;andthis，beingconducivetosocialprosperity，isconducivetothemaintenanceoftherace。\"Inotherwords，thevalueoftheindividualcanbeonlyinrelationtothesociety;andthisgranted，whetherthesacrificeoftheindividualforthesakeofthatsocietybegoodorevilmustdependuponwhatthesocietymightgainorlosethroughafurtherindividualizationofitsmembers……Butasweshallpresentlysee，theconditionsofant-societythatmostdeserveourattentionaretheethicalconditions;andthesearebeyondhumancriticism，sincetheyrealizethatidealofmoralevolutiondescribedbyMr。Spenceras\"astateinwhichegoismandaltruismaresoconciliatedthattheonemergesintotheother。\"Thatistosay，astateinwhichtheonlypossiblepleasureisthepleasureofunselfishaction。Or，againtoquoteMr。Spencer，theactivitiesoftheinsect-societyare\"activitieswhichpostponeindividualwell-beingsocompletelytothewell-beingofthecommunitythatindividuallifeappearstobeattendedtoonlyjustsofarasisnecessarytomakepossibledueattentiontosociallife，……theindividualtakingonlyjustsuchfoodandjustsuchrestasareneedfultomaintainitsvigor。\"
III
Ihopemyreaderisawarethatantspractisehorticultureandagriculture;
thattheyareskillfulinthecultivationofmushrooms;thattheyhavedomesticated（accordingtopresentknowledge）fivehundredandeighty-fourdifferentkindsofanimals;thattheymaketunnelsthroughsolidrock;thattheyknowhowtoprovideagainstatmosphericchangeswhichmightendangerthehealthoftheirchildren;andthat，forinsects，theirlongevityisexceptional，——membersofthemorehighlyevolvedspecieslivingforaconsiderablenumberofyears。
ButitisnotespeciallyofthesemattersthatIwishtospeak。WhatI
wanttotalkaboutistheawfulpropriety，theterriblemorality，oftheant[1]。Ourmostappallingidealsofconductfallshortoftheethicsoftheant，——asprogressisreckonedintime，——bynothinglessthanmillionsofyears！……WhenIsay\"theant，\"Imeanthehighesttypeofant，——not，ofcourse，theentireant-family。Abouttwothousandspeciesofantsarealreadyknown;andtheseexhibit，intheirsocialorganizations，widelyvaryingdegreesofevolution。Certainsocialphenomenaofthegreatestbiologicalimportance，andofnolessimportanceintheirstrangerelationtothesubjectofethics，canbestudiedtoadvantageonlyintheexistenceofthemosthighlyevolvedsocietiesofants。
Afterallthathasbeenwrittenoflateyearsabouttheprobablevalueofrelativeexperienceinthelonglifeoftheant，Isupposethatfewpersonswouldventuretodenyindividualcharactertotheant。Theintelligenceofthelittlecreatureinmeetingandovercomingdifficultiesofatotallynewkind，andinadaptingitselftoconditionsentirelyforeigntoitsexperience，provesaconsiderablepowerofindependentthinking。Butthisatleastiscertain：thattheanthasnoindividualitycapableofbeingexercisedinapurelyselfishdirection;——Iamusingtheword\"selfish\"initsordinaryacceptation。Agreedyant，asensualant，anantcapableofanyoneofthesevendeadlysins，orevenofasmallvenialsin，isunimaginable。Equallyunimaginable，ofcourse，aromanticant，anideologicalant，apoeticalant，oranantinclinedtometaphysicalspeculations。Nohumanmindcouldattaintotheabsolutematter-of-factqualityoftheant-mind;——nohumanbeing，asnowconstituted，couldcultivateamentalhabitsoimpeccablypracticalasthatoftheant。Butthissuperlativelypracticalmindisincapableofmoralerror。Itwouldbedifficult，perhaps，toprovethattheanthasnoreligiousideas。Butitiscertainthatsuchideascouldnotbeofanyusetoit。Thebeingincapableofmoralweaknessisbeyondtheneedof\"spiritualguidance。\"
Onlyinavaguewaycanweconceivethecharacterofant-society，andthenatureofant-morality;andtodoeventhiswemusttrytoimaginesomeyetimpossiblestateofhumansocietyandhumanmorals。Letus，then，imagineaworldfullofpeopleincessantlyandfuriouslyworking，——allofwhomseemtobewomen。Nooneofthesewomencouldbepersuadedordeludedintotakingasingleatomoffoodmorethanisneedfultomaintainherstrength;
andnooneofthemeversleepsasecondlongerthanisnecessarytokeephernervoussystemingoodworking-order。Andallofthemaresopeculiarlyconstitutedthattheleastunnecessaryindulgencewouldresultinsomederangementoffunction。
Theworkdailyperformedbythesefemalelaborerscomprisesroad-making，bridge-building，timber-cutting，architecturalconstructionofnumberlesskinds，horticultureandagriculture，thefeedingandshelteringofahundredvarietiesofdomesticanimals，themanufactureofsundrychemicalproducts，thestorageandconservationofcountlessfood-stuffs，andthecareofthechildrenoftherace。Allthislaborisdoneforthecommonwealth——nocitizenofwhichiscapableevenofthinkingabout\"property，\"exceptasarespublica;——andthesoleobjectofthecommonwealthisthenurtureandtrainingofitsyoung，——nearlyallofwhomaregirls。Theperiodofinfancyislong：thechildrenremainforagreatwhile，notonlyhelpless，butshapeless，andwithalsodelicatethattheymustbeverycarefullyguardedagainsttheleastchangeoftemperature。
Fortunatelytheirnursesunderstandthelawsofhealth：eachthoroughlyknowsallthatsheoughttoknowinregardtoventilation，disinfection，drainage，moisture，andthedangerofgerms，——germsbeingasvisible，perhaps，tohermyopicsightastheybecometoourowneyesunderthemicroscope。Indeed，allmattersofhygienearesowellcomprehendedthatnonurseevermakesamistakeaboutthesanitaryconditionsofherneighborhood。
Inspiteofthisperpetuallabornoworkerremainsunkempt：eachisscrupulouslyneat，makinghertoiletmanytimesaday。Butaseveryworkerisbornwiththemostbeautifulofcombsandbrushesattachedtoherwrists，notimeiswastedinthetoilet-room。Besideskeepingthemselvesstrictlyclean，theworkersmustalsokeeptheirhousesandgardensinfaultlessorder，forthesakeofthechildren。Nothinglessthananearthquake，aneruption，aninundation，oradesperatewar，isallowedtointerruptthedailyroutineofdusting，sweeping，scrubbing，anddisinfecting。
IV
Nowforstrangerfacts：——
ThisworldofincessanttoilisamorethanVestalworld。Itistruethatmalescansometimesbeperceivedinit;buttheyappearonlyatparticularseasons，andtheyhavenothingwhatevertodowiththeworkersorwiththework。Noneofthemwouldpresumetoaddressaworker，——except，perhaps，underextraordinarycircumstancesofcommonperil。Andnoworkerwouldthinkoftalkingtoamale;——formales，inthisqueerworld，areinferiorbeings，equallyincapableoffightingorworking，andtoleratedonlyasnecessaryevils。Onespecialclassoffemales，——theMothers-Electoftherace，——docondescendtoconsortwithmales，duringaverybriefperiod，atparticularseasons。ButtheMothers-Electdonotwork;andtheymostaccepthusbands。Aworkercouldnotevendreamofkeepingcompanywithamale，——
notmerelybecausesuchassociationwouldsignifythemostfrivolouswasteoftime，noryetbecausetheworkernecessarilyregardsallmaleswithunspeakablecontempt;butbecausetheworkerisincapableofwedlock。Someworkers，indeed，arecapableofparthenogenesis，andgivebirthtochildrenwhoneverhadfathers。Asageneralrule，however，theworkeristrulyfemininebyhermoralinstinctsonly：shehasallthetenderness，thepatience，andtheforesightthatwecall\"maternal;\"buthersexhasdisappeared，likethesexoftheDragon-MaidenintheBuddhistlegend。
Fordefenseagainstcreaturesofprey，orenemiesofthestate，theworkersareprovidedwithweapons;andtheyarefurthermoreprotectedbyalargemilitaryforce。Thewarriorsaresomuchbiggerthantheworkers（insomecommunities，atleast）thatitisdifficult，atfirstsight，tobelievethemofthesamerace。Soldiersonehundredtimeslargerthantheworkerswhomtheyguardarenotuncommon。ButallthesesoldiersareAmazons，——or，morecorrectlyspeaking，semi-females。Theycanworksturdily;butbeingbuiltforfightingandforheavypullingchiefly，theirusefulnessisrestrictedtothosedirectionsinwhichforce，ratherthanskill，isrequired。
[Whyfemales，ratherthanmales，shouldhavebeenevolutionallyspecializedintosoldieryandlaborersmaynotbenearlysosimpleaquestionasitappears。Iamverysureofnotbeingabletoanswerit。Butnaturaleconomymayhavedecidedthematter。Inmanyformsoflife，thefemalegreatlyexceedsthemaleinbulkandinenergy;——perhaps，inthiscase，thelargerreserveoflife-forcepossessedoriginallybythecompletefemalecouldbemorerapidlyandeffectivelyutilizedforthedevelopmentofaspecialfighting-caste。Allenergieswhich，inthefertilefemale，wouldbeexpendedinthegivingoflifeseemheretohavebeendivertedtotheevolutionofaggressivepower，orworking-capacity。]
Ofthetruefemales，——theMothers-Elect，——thereareveryfewindeed;andthesearetreatedlikequeens。Soconstantlyandsoreverentiallyaretheywaiteduponthattheycanseldomhaveanywishestoexpress。Theyarerelievedfromeverycareofexistence，——exceptthedutyofbearingoffspring。Nightanddaytheyarecaredforineverypossiblemanner。Theyalonearesuperabundantlyandrichlyfed：——forthesakeoftheoffspringtheymusteatanddrinkandreposerightroyally;andtheirphysiologicalspecializationallowsofsuchindulgenceadlibitum。Theyseldomgoout，andneverunlessattendedbyapowerfulescort;astheycannotbepermittedtoincurunnecessaryfatigueordanger。Probablytheyhavenogreatdesiretogoout。Aroundthemrevolvesthewholeactivityoftherace：allitsintelligenceandtoilandthriftaredirectedsolelytowardthewell-beingoftheseMothersandoftheirchildren。
ButlastandleastoftheracerankthehusbandsoftheseMothers，——thenecessaryEvils，——themales。Theyappearonlyataparticularseason，asI
havealreadyobserved;andtheirlivesareveryshort。Somecannotevenboastofnobledescent，thoughdestinedtoroyalwedlock;fortheyarenotroyaloffspring，butvirgin-born，——parthenogeneticchildren，——and，forthatreasonespecially，inferiorbeings，thechanceresultsofsomemysteriousatavism。Butofanysortofmalesthecommonwealthtoleratesbutfew，——barelyenoughtoserveashusbandsfortheMothers-Elect，andthesefewperishalmostassoonastheirdutyhasbeendone。ThemeaningofNature’slaw，inthisextraordinaryworld，isidenticalwithRuskin’steachingthatlifewithouteffortiscrime;andsincethemalesareuselessasworkersorfighters，theirexistenceisofonlymomentaryimportance。
Theyarenot，indeed，sacrificed，——liketheAztecvictimchosenforthefestivalofTezcatlipoca，andallowedahoneymoonoftwentydaysbeforehisheartwastornout。Buttheyarescarcelylessunfortunateintheirhighfortune。Imagineyouthsbroughtupintheknowledgethattheyaredestinedtobecomeroyalbridegroomsforasinglenight，——thataftertheirbridaltheywillhavenomoralrighttolive，——thatmarriage，foreachandallofthem，willsignifycertaindeath，——andthattheycannotevenhopetobelamentedbytheiryoungwidows，whowillsurvivethemforatimeofmanygenerations……！
V
Butalltheforegoingisnomorethanaproemtothereal\"RomanceoftheInsect-World。\"
——Byfarthemoststartlingdiscoveryinrelationtothisastonishingcivilizationisthatofthesuppressionofsex。Incertainadvancedformsofant-lifesextotallydisappearsinthemajorityofindividuals;——innearlyallthehigherant-societiessex-lifeappearstoexistonlytotheextentabsolutelyneededforthecontinuanceofthespecies。Butthebiologicalfactinitselfismuchlessstartlingthantheethicalsuggestionwhichitoffers;——forthispracticalsuppression，orregulation，ofsex-facultyappearstobevoluntary！Voluntary，atleast，sofarasthespeciesisconcerned。Itisnowbelievedthattheywonderfulcreatureshavelearnedhowtodevelop，ortoarrestthedevelopment，ofsexintheiryoung，——bysomeparticularmodeofnutrition。Theyhavesucceededinplacingunderperfectcontrolwhatiscommonlysupposedtobethemostpowerfulandunmanageableofinstincts。Andthisrigidrestraintofsex-lifetowithinthelimitsnecessarytoprovideagainstextinctionisbutone（thoughthemostamazing）ofmanyvitaleconomieseffectedbytherace。Everycapacityforegoisticpleasure——inthecommonmeaningoftheword\"egoistic\"——hasbeenequallyrepressedthroughphysiologicalmodification。Noindulgenceofanynaturalappetiteispossibleexcepttothatdegreeinwhichsuchindulgencecandirectlyorindirectlybenefitthespecies;——eventheindispensablerequirementsoffoodandsleepbeingsatisfiedonlytotheexactextentnecessaryforthemaintenanceofhealthyactivity。Theindividualcanexist，act，think，onlyforthecommunalgood;
andthecommunetriumphantlyrefuses，insofarascosmiclawpermits，toletitselfberuledeitherbyLoveorHunger。
Mostofushavebeenbroughtupinthebeliefthatwithoutsomekindofreligiouscreed——somehopeoffuturerewardorfearoffuturepunishment——nocivilizationcouldexist。Wehavebeentaughttothinkthatintheabsenceoflawsbaseduponmoralideas，andintheabsenceofaneffectivepolicetoenforcesuchlaws，nearlyeverybodywouldseekonlyhisorherpersonaladvantage，tothedisadvantageofeverybodyelse。Thestrongwouldthendestroytheweak;pityandsympathywoulddisappear;andthewholesocialfabricwouldfalltopieces……Theseteachingsconfesstheexistingimperfectionofhumannature;andtheycontainobvioustruth。Butthosewhofirstproclaimedthattruth，thousandsandthousandsofyearsago，neverimaginedaformofsocialexistenceinwhichselfishnesswouldbenaturallyimpossible。ItremainedforirreligiousNaturetofurnishuswithproofpositivethattherecanexistasocietyinwhichthepleasureofactivebeneficencemakesneedlesstheideaofduty，——asocietyinwhichinstinctivemoralitycandispensewithethicalcodesofeverysort，——asocietyofwhicheverymemberisbornsoabsolutelyunselfish，andsoenergeticallygood，thatmoraltrainingcouldsignify，evenforitsyoungest，neithermorenorlessthanwasteofprecioustime。
TotheEvolutionistsuchfactsnecessarilysuggestthatthevalueofourmoralidealismisbuttemporary;andthatsomethingbetterthanvirtue，betterthankindness，betterthanself-denial，——inthepresenthumanmeaningofthoseterms，——might，undercertainconditions，eventuallyreplacethem。Hefindshimselfobligedtofacethequestionwhetheraworldwithoutmoralnotionsmightnotbemorallybetterthanaworldinwhichconductisregulatedbysuchnotions。Hemustevenaskhimselfwhethertheexistenceofreligiouscommandments，morallaws，andethicalstandardsamongourselvesdoesnotproveusstillinaveryprimitivestageofsocialevolution。Andthesequestionsnaturallyleaduptoanother：Willhumanityeverbeable，onthisplanet，toreachanethicalconditionbeyondallitsideals，——aconditioninwhicheverythingthatwenowcallevilwillhavebeenatrophiedoutofexistence，andeverythingthatwecallvirtuehavebeentransmutedintoinstinct;——astateofaltruisminwhichethicalconceptsandcodeswillhavebecomeasuselessastheywouldbe，evennow，inthesocietiesofthehigherants。
Thegiantsofmodernthoughthavegivensomeattentiontothisquestion;
andthegreatestamongthemhasansweredit——partlyintheaffirmative。
HerbertSpencerhasexpressedhisbeliefthathumanitywillarriveatsomestateofcivilizationethicallycomparablewiththatoftheant：——
\"Ifwehave，inlowerordersofcreatures，casesinwhichthenatureisconstitutionallysomodifiedthataltruisticactivitieshavebecomeonewithegoisticactivities，thereisanirresistibleimplicationthataparallelidentificationwill，underparallelconditions，takeplaceamonghumanbeings。Socialinsectsfurnishuswithinstancescompletelytothepoint，——andinstancesshowingus，indeed，towhatamarvelousdegreethelifeoftheindividualmaybeabsorbedinsubservingthelivesofotherindividuals……Neithertheantnorthebeecanbesupposedtohaveasenseofduty，intheacceptationwegivetothatword;norcanitbesupposedthatitiscontinuallyundergoingself-sacrifice，intheordinaryacceptationofthatword……[Thefacts]showusthatitiswithinthepossibilitiesoforganizationtoproduceanaturewhichshallbejustasenergeticinthepursuitofaltruisticends，asisinothercasesshowninthepursuitofegoisticends;——andtheyshowthat，insuchcases，thesealtruisticendsarepursuedinpursuingendswhich，ontheirotherface，areegoistic。Forthesatisfactionoftheneedsoftheorganization，theseactions，conducivetothewelfareofothers，mustbecarriedon……
\"Sofarfromitsbeingtruethattheremustgoon，throughoutallthefuture，aconditioninwhichself-regardistobecontinuallysubjectedbytheregardforothers，itwill，contrari-wise，bethecasethataregardforotherswilleventuallybecomesolargeasourceofpleasureastoovergrowthepleasurewhichisderivablefromdirectegoisticgratification……
Eventually，then，therewillcomealsoastateinwhichegoismandaltruismaresoconciliatedthattheonemergesintheother。\"
VI
Ofcoursetheforegoingpredictiondoesnotimplythathumannaturewilleverundergosuchphysiologicalchangeaswouldberepresentedbystructuralspecializationscomparabletothosebywhichthevariouscastesofinsectsocietiesaredifferentiated。Wearenotbiddentoimagineafuturestateofhumanityinwhichtheactivemajoritywouldconsistofsemi-femaleworkersandAmazonstoilingforaninactiveminorityofselectedMothers。Eveninhischapter，\"HumanPopulationintheFuture，\"
Mr。Spencerhasattemptednodetailedstatementofthephysicalmodificationsinevitabletotheproductionofhighermoraltypes，——thoughhisgeneralstatementinregardtoaperfectednervoussystem，andagreatdiminutionofhumanfertility，suggeststhatsuchmoralevolutionwouldsignifyaveryconsiderableamountofphysicalchange。Ifitbelegitimatetobelieveinafuturehumanitytowhichthepleasureofmutualbeneficencewillrepresentthewholejoyoflife，woulditnotalsobelegitimatetoimagineothertransformations，physicalandmoral，whichthefactsofinsect-biologyhaveprovedtobewithintherangeofevolutionalpossibility？……Idonotknow。ImostworshipfullyreverenceHerbertSpencerasthegreatestphilosopherwhohasyetappearedinthisworld;andIshouldbeverysorrytowritedownanythingcontrarytohisteaching，insuchwisethatthereadercouldimagineittohavebeeninspiredbySyntheticPhilosophy。Fortheensuingreflections，Ialoneamresponsible;
andifIerr，letthesinbeuponmyownhead。
IsupposethatthemoraltransformationspredictedbyMr。Spencer，couldbeeffectedonlywiththeaidofphysiologicalchange，andataterriblecost。Thoseethicalconditionsmanifestedbyinsect-societiescanhavebeenreachedonlythrougheffortdesperatelysustainedformillionsofyearsagainstthemostatrociousnecessities。Necessitiesequallymercilessmayhavetobemetandmasteredeventuallybythehumanrace。Mr。Spencerhasshownthatthetimeofthegreatestpossiblehumansufferingisyettocome，andthatitwillbeconcomitantwiththeperiodofthegreatestpossiblepressureofpopulation。Amongotherresultsofthatlongstress，I
understandthattherewillbeavastincreaseinhumanintelligenceandsympathy;andthatthisincreasesofintelligencewillbeeffectedatthecostofhumanfertility。Butthisdeclineinreproductivepowerwillnot，wearetold，besufficienttoassuretheveryhighestofsocialconditions：
itwillonlyrelievethatpressureofpopulationwhichhasbeenthemaincauseofhumansuffering。Thestateofperfectsocialequilibriumwillbeapproached，butneverquitereached，bymankind——
Unlesstherebediscoveredsomemeansofsolvingeconomicproblems，justassocialinsectshavesolvedthem，bythesuppressionofsex-life。
Supposingthatsuchadiscoveryweremade，andthatthehumanraceshoulddecidetoarrestthedevelopmentofsixinthemajorityofitsyoung，——soastoeffectatransferrenceofthoseforces，nowdemandedbysex-lifetothedevelopmentofhigheractivities，——mightnottheresultbeaneventualstateofpolymorphism，likethatofants？And，insuchevent，mightnottheComingRacebeindeedrepresentedinitshighertypes，——throughfeminineratherthanmasculineevolution，——byamajorityofbeingsofneithersex？
Consideringhowmanypersons，evennow，throughmerelyunselfish（nottospeakofreligious）motives，sentencethemselvestocelibacy，itshouldnotappearimprobablythatamorehighlyevolvedhumanitywouldcheerfullysacrificealargeproportionofitssex-lifeforthecommonweal，particularlyinviewofcertainadvantagestobegained。Nottheleastofsuchadvantages——alwayssupposingthatmankindwereabletocontrolsex-lifeafterthenaturalmanneroftheants——wouldbeaprodigiousincreaseoflongevity。Thehighertypesofahumanitysuperiortosexmightbeabletorealizethedreamoflifeforathousandyears。
Alreadywefindlivestooshortfortheworkwehavetodo;andwiththeconstantlyacceleratingprogressofdiscovery，andthenever-ceasingexpansionofknowledge，weshallcertainlyfindmoreandmorereasontoregret，astimegoeson，thebrevityofexistence。ThatSciencewilleverdiscovertheElixiroftheAlchemists’hopeisextremelyunlikely。TheCosmicPowerswillnotallowustocheatthem。Foreveryadvantagewhichtheyyieldusthefullpricemustbepaid：nothingfornothingistheeverlastinglaw。Perhapsthepriceoflonglifewillprovetobethepricethattheantshavepaidforit。Perhaps，uponsomeelderplanet，thatpricehasalreadybeenpaid，andthepowertoproduceoffspringrestrictedtoacastemorphologicallydifferentiated，inunimaginableways，fromtherestofthespecies……
VII
Butwhilethefactsofinsect-biologysuggestsomuchinregardtothefuturecourseofhumanevolution，dotheynotalsosuggestsomethingoflargestsignificanceconcerningtherelationofethicstocosmiclaw？
Apparently，thehighestevolutionwillnotbepermittedtocreaturescapableofwhathumanmoralexperiencehasinallareascondemned。
Apparently，thehighestpossiblestrengthisthestrengthofunselfishness;
andpowersupremeneverwillbeaccordedtocrueltyortolust。Theremaybenogods;buttheforcesthatshapeanddissolveallformsofbeingwouldseemtobemuchmoreexactingthangods。Toprovea\"dramatictendency\"inthewaysofthestarsisnotpossible;butthecosmicprocessseemsneverthelesstoaffirmtheworthofeveryhumansystemofethicsfundamentallyopposedtohumanegoism-
--------------------------
NotesTHESTORYOFMIMI-NASHI-HOICHI
[1]SeemyKotto，foradescriptionofthesecuriouscrabs。
[2]Or，Shimonoseki。ThetownisalsoknownbythenameofBakkan。
[3]Thebiwa，akindoffour-stringedlute，ischieflyusedinmusicalrecitative。FormerlytheprofessionalminstrelswhorecitedtheHeike-Monogatari，andothertragicalhistories，werecalledbiwa-hoshi，or\"lute-priests。\"Theoriginofthisappellationisnotclear;butitispossiblethatitmayhavebeensuggestedbythefactthat\"lute-priests\"aswellasblindshampooers，hadtheirheadsshaven，likeBuddhistpriests。
Thebiwaisplayedwithakindofplectrum，calledbachi，usuallymadeofhorn。
（1）Aresponsetoshowthatonehasheardandislisteningattentively。
[4]Arespectfulterm，signifyingtheopeningofagate。Itwasusedbysamuraiwhencallingtotheguardsondutyatalord’sgateforadmission。
[5]Orthephrasemightberendered，\"forthepityofthatpartisthedeepest。\"TheJapanesewordforpityintheoriginaltextis\"aware。\"
[6]\"Travelingincognito\"isatleastthemeaningoftheoriginalphrase，——\"makingadisguisedaugust-journey\"（shinobinogo-ryoko）。
[7]TheSmallerPragna-Paramita-Hridaya-SutraisthuscalledinJapanese。
BoththesmallerandlargersutrascalledPragna-Paramita（\"TranscendentWisdom\"）havebeentranslatedbythelateProfessorMaxMuller，andcanbefoundinvolumexlix。oftheSacredBooksoftheEast（\"BuddhistMahayanaSutras\"）。——Aproposofthemagicaluseofthetext，asdescribedinthisstory，itisworthremarkingthatthesubjectofthesutraistheDoctrineoftheEmptinessofForms，——thatistosay，oftheunrealcharacterofallphenomenaornoumena……\"Formisemptiness;andemptinessisform。
Emptinessisnotdifferentfromform;formisnotdifferentfromemptiness。
Whatisform——thatisemptiness。Whatisemptiness——thatisform……
Perception，name，concept，andknowledge，arealsoemptiness……Thereisnoeye，ear，nose，tongue，body，andmind……Butwhentheenvelopmentofconsciousnesshasbeenannihilated，thenhe[theseeker]becomesfreefromallfear，andbeyondthereachofchange，enjoyingfinalNirvana。\"
OSHIDORI
[1]Fromancienttime，intheFarEast，thesebirdshavebeenregardedasemblemsofconjugalaffection。
[2]Thereisapatheticdoublemeaninginthethirdverse;forthesyllablescomposingthepropernameAkanuma（\"RedMarsh\"）mayalsobereadasakanu-ma，signifying\"thetimeofourinseparable（ordelightful）
relation。\"Sothepoemcanalsobethusrendered：——\"Whenthedaybegantofail，Ihadinvitedhimtoaccompanyme……！Now，afterthetimeofthathappyrelation，whatmiseryfortheonewhomustslumberaloneintheshadowoftherushes！\"——Themakomoisashortoflargerush，usedformakingbaskets。
THESTORYOFO-TEI
（1）\"-sama\"isapolitesuffixattachedtopersonalnames。
（2）ABuddhisttermcommonlyusedtosignifyakindofheaven。
[1]TheBuddhisttermzokumyo（\"profanename\"）signifiesthepersonalname，borneduringlife，incontradistinctiontothekaimyo（\"sila-name\"）
orhomyo（\"Law-name\"）givenafterdeath，——religiousposthumousappellationsinscribeduponthetomb，anduponthemortuarytabletintheparish-temple。——Forsomeaccountofthese，seemypaperentitled，\"TheLiteratureoftheDead，\"inExoticsandRetrospectives。
[2]Buddhisthouseholdshrine。
（3）DirecttranslationofaJapaneseformofaddressusedtowardyoung，unmarriedwomen。
DIPLOMACY
（1）Thespacioushouseandgroundsofawealthypersonisthuscalled。
（2）ABuddhistserviceforthedead。
OFAMIRRORANDABELL
（1）Partofpresent-dayShizuokaPrefecture。
（2）Thetwo-hourperiodbetween1AMand3AM。
（3）Amonetaryunit。
JIKININKI
（1）Thesouthernpartofpresent-dayGifuPrefecture。
[1]Literally，aman-eatinggoblin。TheJapanesenarratorgivesalsotheSanscritterm，\"Rakshasa;\"butthiswordisquiteasvagueasjikininki，sincetherearemanykindsofRakshasas。ApparentlythewordjikininkisignifieshereoneoftheBaramon-Rasetsu-Gaki，——formingthetwenty-sixthclassofpretasenumeratedintheoldBuddhistbooks。
[2]ASegaki-serviceisaspecialBuddhistserviceperformedonbehalfofbeingssupposedtohaveenteredintotheconditionofgaki（pretas），orhungryspirits。Forabriefaccountofsuchaservice，seemyJapaneseMiscellany。
[3]Literally，\"five-circle[orfive-zone]stone。\"Afuneralmonumentconsistingoffivepartssuperimposed，——eachofadifferentform，——
symbolizingthefivemysticelements：Ether，Air，Fire，Water，Earth。
MUJINA
（1）Akindofbadger。Certainanimalswerethoughttobeabletotransformthemselvesandcausemischiefforhumans。
[1]O-jochu（\"honorabledamsel\"），apoliteformofaddressusedinspeakingtoayoungladywhomonedoesnotknow。
（2）Anapparitionwithasmooth，totallyfeaturelessface，calleda\"nopperabo，\"isastockpartoftheJapanesepantheonofghostsanddemons。
[2]Sobaisapreparationofbuckwheat，somewhatresemblingvermicelli。
（3）Anexclamationofannoyedalarm。
（4）Well！
ROKURO-KUBI
[1]TheperiodofEikyolastedfrom1429to1441。
[2]TheupperrobeofaBuddhistpriestisthuscalled。
（1）Present-dayYamanashiPrefecture。
（2）Atermforitinerantpriests。
[3]Asortoflittlefireplace，contrivedinthefloorofaroom，isthusdescribed。Theroisusuallyasquareshallowcavity，linedwithmetalandhalf-filledwithashes，inwhichcharcoalislighted。
（3）Directtranslationof\"suzumushi，\"akindofcricketwithadistinctivechirplikeatinybell，whencethename。
（4）Nowarokuro-kubiisordinarilyconceivedasagoblinwhoseneckstretchesouttogreatlengths，butwhichneverthelessalwaysremainsattachedtoitsbody。
（5）AChinesecollectionofstoriesonthesupernatural。
[4]Apresentmadetofriendsortothehouseholdonreturningfromajourneyisthuscalled。Ordinarily，ofcourse，themiyageconsistsofsomethingproducedinthelocalitytowhichthejourneyhasbeenmade：thisisthepointofKwairyo’sjest。
（6）Present-dayNaganoPrefecture。
ADEADSECRET
（1）Onthepresent-daymap，TambacorrespondsroughlytothecentralareaofKyotoPrefectureandpartofHyogoPrefecture。
[1]TheHouroftheRat（Ne-no-Koku），accordingtotheoldJapanesemethodofreckoningtime，wasthefirsthour。Itcorrespondedtothetimebetweenourmidnightandtwoo’clockinthemorning;fortheancientJapanesehourswereeachequaltotwomodernhours。
[2]Kaimyo，theposthumousBuddhistname，orreligiousname，giventothedead。Strictlyspeaking，themeaningoftheworkissila-name。（Seemypaperentitled，\"TheLiteratureoftheDead\"inExoticsandRetrospectives。）
YUKI-ONNA
（1）Anancientprovincewhoseboundariestookinmostofpresent-dayTokyo，andpartsofSaitamaandKanagawaprefectures。
[1]Thatistosay，withafloor-surfaceofaboutsixfeetsquare。
[2]Thisname，signifying\"Snow，\"isnotuncommon。OnthesubjectofJapanesefemalenames，seemypaperinthevolumeentitledShadowings。
（2）AlsospelledEdo，theformernameofTokyo。
THESTORYOFAOYAGI
（1）Anancientprovincecorrespondingtothenorthernpartofpresent-dayIshikawaPrefecture。
（2）Anancientprovincecorrespondingtotheeasternpartofpresent-dayFukuiPrefecture。
[1]Thenamesignifies\"GreenWillow;\"——thoughrarelymetwith，itisstillinuse。
[2]Thepoemmaybereadintwoways;severalofthephraseshavingadoublemeaning。Buttheartofitsconstructionwouldneedconsiderablespacetoexplain，andcouldscarcelyinteresttheWesternreader。ThemeaningwhichTomotadadesiredtoconveymightbethusexpressed：——\"Whilejourneyingtovisitmymother，Imetwithabeinglovelyasaflower;andforthesakeofthatlovelyperson，Iampassingthedayhere……Fairone，whereforethatdawn-likeblushbeforethehourofdawn？——canitmeanthatyouloveme？\"
[3]Anotherreadingispossible;butthisonegivesthesignificationoftheanswerintended。
[4]SotheJapanesestory-tellerwouldhaveusbelieve，——althoughtheversesseemcommonplaceintranslation。Ihavetriedtogiveonlytheirgeneralmeaning：aneffectiveliteraltranslationwouldrequiresomescholarship。
JIU-ROKU-ZAKURA
（1）Present-dayEhimePrefecture。
THEDREAMOFAKINOSUKE
（1）Present-dayNaraPrefecture。
[1]Thisname\"Tokoyo\"isindefinite。Accordingtocircumstancesitmaysignifyanyunknowncountry，——orthatundiscoveredcountryfromwhosebournnotravelerreturns，——orthatFairylandoffar-easternfable，theRealmofHorai。Theterm\"Kokuo\"meanstherulerofacountry，——thereforeaking。Theoriginalphrase，TokoyonoKokuo，mightberenderedhereas\"theRulerofHorai，\"or\"theKingofFairyland。\"
[2]Thelastphrase，accordingtooldcustom，hadtobeutteredbybothattendantsatthesametime。AlltheseceremonialobservancescanstillbestudiedontheJapanesestage。
[3]Thiswasthenamegiventotheestrade，ordais，uponwhichafeudalprinceorrulersatinstate。Thetermliterallysignifies\"greatseat。\"
RIKI-BAKA
（1）Kana：theJapanesephoneticalphabet。
（2）\"So-and-so\"：appellationusedbyHearninplaceoftherealname。
（3）AsectionofTokyo。
[1]Asquarepieceofcotton-goods，orotherwovenmaterial，usedasawrapperinwhichtocarrysmallpackages。
（4）Tenyenisnothingnow，butwasaformidablesumthen。
INSECTSTUDIES
BUTTERFLIES
（1）Haiku。
[1]\"ThemodestnymphbeheldherGod，andblushed。\"（Or，inamorefamiliarrendering：\"ThemodestwatersawitsGod，andblushed。\"）Inthislinethedoublevalueofthewordnympha——usedbyclassicalpoetsbothinthemeaningoffountainandinthatofthedivinityofafountain，orspring——remindsoneofthatgracefulplayingwithwordswhichJapanesepoetspractice。
[2]Moreusuallywrittennugi-kakeru，whichmeanseither\"totakeoffandhangup，\"or\"tobegintotakeoff，\"——asintheabovepoem。Moreloosely，butmoreeffectively，theversesmightthusberendered：\"Likeawomanslippingoffherhaori——thatistheappearanceofabutterfly。\"OnemusthaveseentheJapanesegarmentdescribed，toappreciatethecomparison。Thehaoriisasilkupper-dress，——akindofsleevedcloak，——wornbybothsexes;butthepoemsuggestsawoman’shaori，whichisusuallyofrichercolorormaterial。Thesleevesarewide;andtheliningisusuallyofbrightly-coloredsilk，oftenbeautifullyvariegated。Intakingoffthehaori，thebrilliantliningisdisplayed，——andatsuchaninstanttheflutteringsplendormightwellbelikenedtotheappearanceofabutterflyinmotion。
[3]Thebird-catcher’spoleissmearedwithbird-lime;andtheversessuggestthattheinsectispreventingthemanfromusinghispole，bypersistentlygettinginthewayofit，——asthebirdsmighttakewarningfromseeingthebutterflylimed。Jamasurumeans\"tohinder\"or\"prevent。\"
[4]Evenwhileitisresting，thewingsofthebutterflymaybeseentoquiveratmoments，——asifthecreatureweredreamingofflight。
[5]AlittlepoembyBasho，greatestofallJapanesecomposersofhokku。
Theversesareintendedtosuggestthejoyousfeelingofspring-time。
[6]Literally，\"awindlessday;\"buttwonegativesinJapanesepoetrydonotnecessarilyimplyanaffirmative，asinEnglish。Themeaningis，thatalthoughthereisnowind，theflutteringmotionofthebutterfliessuggests，totheeyesatleast，thatastrongbreezeisplaying。
[7]AlludingtotheBuddhistproverb：Rakkwaedanikaerazu;ha-kyofutatabiterasazu（\"Thefallenflowerreturnsnottothebranch;thebrokenmirrorneveragainreflects。\"）Sosaystheproverb——yetitseemedtomethatIsawafallenflowerreturntothebranch……No：itwasonlyabutterfly。
[8]Alludingprobablytothelightflutteringmotionoffallingcherry-petals。
[9]Thatistosay，thegraceoftheirmotionmakesonethinkofthegraceofyounggirls，daintilycostumed，inrobeswithlongflutteringsleeves……
AndoldJapaneseproverbdeclaresthatevenadevilisprettyateighteen：
Onimojiu-hachiazaminohana：\"Evenadevilateighteen，flower-of-the-thistle。\"
[10]Orperhapstheversesmightbemoreeffectivelyrenderedthus：\"Happytogether，doyousay？Yes——ifweshouldberebornasfield-butterfliesinsomefuturelife：thenwemightaccord！\"ThispoemwascomposedbythecelebratedpoetIssa，ontheoccasionofdivorcinghiswife。
[11]Or，Tarenotama？[Digitizer’snote：Hearn’snotecallsattentiontoanalternativereadingoftheideogramfor\"spirit\"or\"soul。\"]
[12]Literally，\"Butterfly-pursingheartIwishtohavealways;’——i。e。，IwouldthatImightalwaysbeabletofindpleasureinsimplethings，likeahappychild。
[13]Anoldpopularerror，——probablyimportedfromChina。
[14]Anamesuggestedbytheresemblanceofthelarva’sartificialcoveringtothemino，orstraw-raincoat，wornbyJapanesepeasants。Iamnotsurewhetherthedictionaryrendering，\"basket-worm，\"isquitecorrect;——butthelarvacommonlycalledminomushidoesreallyconstructforitselfsomethingmuchlikethecoveringofthebasket-worm。
（2）Averylarge，whiteradish。\"Daikon\"literallymeans\"bigroot。\"
[15]Pyrusspectabilis。
[16]Anevilspirit。
（3）Acommonfemalename。
MOSQUITOES
（1）Meiji：TheperiodinwhichHearnwrotethisbook。Itlastedfrom1868
to1912，andwasatimewhenJapanplungedhead-firstintoWestern-stylemodernization。Bythe\"fashionsandthechangesandthedisintegrationsofMeiji\"HearnislamentingthatthisprocessofmodernizationwasdestroyingsomeofthegoodthingsintraditionalJapaneseculture。
ANTS
（1）Cicadas。
[1]AninterestingfactinthisconnectionisthattheJapanesewordforant，ari，isrepresentedbyanideographformedofthecharacterfor\"insect\"combinedwiththecharactersignifying\"moralrectitude，\"
\"propriety\"（giri）。SotheChinesecharacteractuallymeans\"ThePropriety-Insect。\"