Thispigmy，apparentlysouninteresting，shallsupplyuswithourfirstrecordsofthecuriouslife-storyofthePsyches。IgatherhiminprofusioninAprilandinstalhiminawirebell-jar。WhatheeatsIknownot。Myignorancewouldbegrievousunderotherconditions；butatpresentIneednottroubleaboutprovisions。Takenfromtheirwallsandtrees，wheretheyhadsuspendedthemselvesfortheirtransformation，mostofmylittlePsychesareinthechrysalisstate。Afewofthemarestillactive。Theyhastentoclambertothetopofthetrellis-work；theyfixthemselvesthereperpendicularlybymeansofalittlesilkcushion；theneverythingisstill。
Junecomestoanend；andthemaleMothsarehatched，leavingthechrysalidwrapperhalfcaughtinthecase，whichremainsfixedwhereitisandwillremainthereindefinitelyuntildismantledbytheweather。
Theemergenceiseffectedthroughthehinderendofthebundleofsticks，theonlywaybywhichitcanbeeffected。Havingpermanentlyclosedthetopopening，therealdoorofthehouse，byfasteningittothesupportwhichhehaschosen，thecaterpillarthereforehasturnedtheotherwayroundandundergonehistransformationinareversedposition，whichenablestheadultinsecttoemergethroughtheoutletmadeattheback，theonlyonenowfree。
Forthatmatter，thisisthemethodfollowedbyallthePsyches。Thecasehastwoapertures。Thefrontone，whichismoreregularandmorecarefullyconstructed，isatthecaterpillar’sservicesolongaslarvalactivitylasts。Itisclosedandfirmlyfastenedtoitssupportatthetimeofthenymphosis。Thehinderone，whichisfaultyandevenhiddenbythesaggingofthesides，isattheMoth’sservice。Itdoesnotreallyopenuntilrightattheend，whenpushedbythechrysalisortheadultinsect。
Intheirmodestpearl-greydress，withtheirinsignificantwing-equipment，hardlyexceedingthatofaCommonFly，ourlittleMothsarestillnotwithoutelegance。Theyhavehandsomefeatheryplumesforantennæ；theirwingsareedgedwithdelicatefringes。Theywhirlveryfussilyinsidethebell-jar；theyskimtheground，flutteringtheirwings；theycrowdeagerlyaroundcertainsheathswhichnothingontheoutsidedistinguishesfromtheothers。Theyalightuponthemandsoundthemwiththeirplumes。
Thisfeverishagitationmarksthemasloversinsearchoftheirbrides。
Thisonehere，thatonethere，eachofthemfindshismate。Butthecoyonedoesnotleaveherhome。Thingshappenverydiscreetlythroughthewicketleftopenatthefreeendofthecase。Themalestandsonthethresholdofthisback-doorforalittlewhile；andthenitisover:theweddingisfinished。Thereisnoneedforustolingeroverthesenuptialsinwhichthepartiesconcerneddonotknow，donotseeeachother。
Ihastentoplaceinaglasstubethefewcasesinwhichthemysteriouseventshavehappened。Somedayslater，thereclusecomesoutofthesheathandshowsherselfinallherwretchedness。CallthatlittlefrightaMoth！Onecannoteasilygetusedtotheideaofsuchpoverty。Thecaterpillarofthestartwasnohumbler-looking。Therearenowings，noneatall；nosilkyfureither。Atthetipoftheabdomen，around，tuftypad，acrownofdirty-whitevelvet；oneachsegment，inthemiddleoftheback，alargerectangulardarkpatch:thesearethesoleattemptsatornament。ThemotherPsycherenouncesallthebeautywhichhernameofMothpromised。
Fromthecentreofthehairycoronetalongovipositorstandsout，consistingoftwoparts，onestiff，formingthebaseoftheimplement，theothersoftandflexible，sheathedinthefirstjustasatelescopefitsinitstube。
Thelayingmotherbendsherselfintoahook，gripsthelowerendofhercasewithhersixfeetanddrivesherprobeintotheback-window，awindowwhichservesmanifoldpurposes，allowingoftheconsummationoftheclandestinemarriage，theemergenceofthefertilizedbride，theinstallationoftheeggsand，lastly，theexodusoftheyoungfamily。
There，atthefreeendofhercase，themotherremainsforalongtime，bowedandmotionless。Whatcanshebedoinginthiscontemplativeattitude？
Sheislodginghereggsinthehousewhichshehasjustleft；sheisbequeathingthematernalcottagetoherheirs。Somethirtyhourspassandtheovipositorisatlastwithdrawn。Thelayingisfinished。
Alittlewadding，suppliedbythecoronetonthehind-quarters，closesthedoorandallaysthedangersofinvasion。Thefondmothermakesabarricadeforherbroodofthesoleornamentwhich，inherextremeindigence，shepossesses。Betterstill，shemakesarampartofherbody。Bracingherselfconvulsivelyonthethresholdofherhome，shediesthere，driesupthere，devotedtoherfamilyevenafterdeath。Itneedsanaccident，abreathofair，tomakeherfallfromherpost。
Letusnowopenthecase。Itcontainsthechrysalidwrapper，intactexceptforthefrontbreachthroughwhichthePsycheemerged。Themale，becauseofhiswingsandhisplumes，verycumbersomearticleswhenheisabouttomakehiswaythroughthenarrowpass，takesadvantageofhischrysalisstatetomakeastartforthedoorandcomeouthalf-way。Then，burstinghisambertunic，thedelicateMothfindsanopenspace，whereflightispossible，rightinfrontofhim。Themother，unprovidedwithwingsandplumes，isnotcompelledtoobserveanysuchprecautions。Hercylindricalform，bareanddifferingbutlittlefromthatofthecaterpillar，allowshertocrawl，toslipintothenarrowpassageandtocomeforthwithoutobstac1e。Hercastchrysalidskinis，therefore，leftrightatthebackofthecase，wellcoveredbythethatchedroof。
Andthisisanactofprudencemarkedbyexquisitetenderness。Theeggs，infact，arepackedinthebarrel，intheparchmentlikewalletformedbytheslough。Themotherhasthrusthertelescopicovipositortothebottomofthatreceptacleandhasmethodicallygoneonlayinguntilitisfull。
Notsatisfiedwithbequeathingherhomeandhervelvetcoronettoheroffspring，asalastsacrificesheleavesthemherskin。
Withaviewtoobservingatmyeasetheeventswhicharesoontohappen，Iextractoneofthesechrysalidbags，stuffedwitheggs，fromitsfaggotandplaceitbyitself，besideitscase，inaglasstube。Ihavenotlongtowait。InthefirstweekofJuly，Ifindmyselfallofasuddeninpossessionofalargefamily。
Thequicknessofthehatchingbalkedmywatchfulness。Thenew-borncaterpillars，aboutfortyinnumber，havealreadyhadtimetogarbthemselves。
TheywearaPersianhead-dress，amage’stiaraindazzlingwhiteplush。
Or，toabandonhigh-flownlanguage，letussayacottonnight-capwithoutatassel；onlythecapdoesnotstandupfromthehead:itcoversthehind-quarters。
Greatanimationreignsinthetube，whichisaspaciousresidenceforsuchvermin。Theyroamaboutgaily，withtheircapsstickingupalmostperpendiculartothefloor。Withatiaralikethatandthingstoeat，lifemustbesweetindeed。
Butwhatdotheyeat？Itryalittleofeverythingthatgrowsonthebarestoneandthegnarledoldtrees。Nothingiswelcomed。Moreeagertodressthantofeedthemselves，thePsychesscornwhatIsetbeforethem。
Myignoranceasaninsect-breederwillnotmatter，providedthatIsucceedinseeingwithwhatmaterialsandinwhatmannerthefirstoutlinesofthecaparewoven。
Imayfairlyhopetoachievethisambition，asthechrysalidbagisfarfromhavingexhausteditscontents。Ifindinit，teemingamidtherumpledwrapperoftheeggs，anadditionalfamilyasnumerousastheswarmthatisalreadyout。Thetotallayingmustthereforeamounttofiveorsixdozen。Itransfertoanotherreceptacletheprecociousbandwhichisalreadydressedandkeeponlythenakedlaggardsinthetube。Theyhavebrightredheads，withtherestoftheirbodiesdirtywhite；andtheymeasurehardlyatwenty-fifthofaninchinlength。
Mypatienceisnotlongputtothetest。Nextday，littlebylittle，singlyoringroups，thebelatedgrubsquitthechrysalidbag。Theycomeoutwithoutbreakingthefrailwallet，throughthefrontbreachmadebytheliberationofthemother。Notoneofthemutilizesitasadress-material，thoughithasthedelicacyandambercolouringofanonionskin；nordoanyofthemmakeuseofafinequiltingwhichlinestheinsideofthebagandformsanexquisitelysoftbedfortheeggs。Thisdown，whoseoriginweshallhavetoinvestigatepresently，ought，onewouldsay，tomakeanexcellentblanketforthesechillyones，impatienttocoverthemselvesup。Notasingleoneusesit；therewouldnotbeenoughtogoround。
Allgostraighttothecoarsefaggot，whichIleftincontactwiththewalletthatwasthechrysalis。Timepresses。Beforemakingyourentranceintotheworldandgoingagrazing，youmustfirstbeclad。Alltherefore，withequalfury，attacktheoldsheathandhastilydressthemselvesinthemother’scastclothes。Someturntheirattentiontobitsthathappentobeopenlengthwiseandscrapethesoft，whiteinnerlayer；others，greatlydaring，penetrateintothetunnelofahollowstalkandgoandcollecttheircottongoodsinthedark。Atsuchtimesthematerialsarefirst-class；
andthegarmentwovenisofadazzlingwhite。Othersbitedeepintothepiecewhichtheyselectandmakethemselvesamotleygarment，inwhichdark-colouredparticlesmarthesnowywhitenessoftherest。
Thetoolwhichtheyusefortheirgleaningconsistsofthemandibles，shapedlikewideshearswithfivestrongteethapiece。Thetwoplanesfitintoeachotherandformanimplementcapableofseizingandslicinganyfibre，howeversmall。Seenunderthemicroscope，itisawonderfulspecimenofmechanicalprecisionandpower。WeretheSheepsimilarlyequippedinproportiontohersize，shewouldbrowseuponthebottomofthetreesinsteadofcroppingthegrass。
AveryinstructiveworkshopisthatofthePsyche-vermintoilingtomakethemselvesacottonnight-cap。Therearenumbersofthingstoremarkinboththefinishoftheworkandtheingenuityofthemethodsemployed。
Toavoidrepeatingourselves，wewillsaynothingabouttheseyet，butwaitforalittleandreturntothesubjectwhensettingforththetalentsofasecondPsyche，oflargerstatureandeasiertoobserve。Thetwoweaversobserveexactlythesameprocedure。
Neverthelessletustakeaglanceatthebottomoftheegg-cup，ageneralworkyardinwhichIinstalmydwarfsasthecasesturnthemout。Therearesomehundredsofthem，withthesheathsfromwhichtheycameandanassortmentofclippedstalks，chosenfromamongthedriestandrichestinpith。Whatawhirl！Whatbewilderinganimation！
Inordertoseeman，Micromé；gascuthimselfalensoutofadiamondofhisnecklace；heheldhisbreathlestthestormfromhisnostrilsshouldblowthemiteaway。Iinmyturnwillbethegoodgiant，newlyarrivingfromSirius；Iscrewamagnifying-glassintomyeyeandamcarefulnottobreatheforfearofoverturningandsweepingoutofexistencemycotton-workers。IfIneedoneofthem，tofocushimunderastrongerglass，Ilimehimasitwere，seizinghimwiththefinepointofaneedlewhichIhavepassedovermylips。Takenawayfromhiswork，thetinycaterpillarstrugglesattheendoftheneedle，shrivelsup，makeshimself，smallasheis，stillsmaller；hestrivestowithdrawasfaraspossibleintohisclothing，whichasyetisincomplete，themerestflannelvestorevenanarrowscarf，coveringnothingbutthetopofhisshoulders。
Letusleavehimtocompletehiscoat。Igiveapuff；andthecreatureisswallowedupinthecrateroftheegg-cup。
Andthisspeckisalive。Itisindustrious；itisversedintheartofblanket-making。Anorphan，bornthatmoment，itknowshowtocutitselfoutofitsdeadmother’soldclothesthewherewithaltoclotheitselfinitsturn。Soonitwillbecomeacarpenter，anassembleroftimber，tomakeadefensivecoveringforitsdelicatefabric。Whatmustinstinctbe，tobecapableofawakeningsuchindustriesinanatom！
ItisattheendofJunealsothatIobtain，inhisadultshape，thePsychewhosescabbardiscontinuedunderneathbyalong，nakedvestibule。Mostofthecasesarefastenedbyasilkpadtothetrellisworkofthecageandhangvertically，likestalactites。Somefewofthemhaveneverlefttheground。Halfimmersedinthesand，theystanderect，withtheirrearintheairandtheirfore-partburiedandfirmlyanchoredtothesideofthepanbymeansofasilkypaste。
Thisinvertedpositionexcludesanyideaofweightasaguideinthecaterpillar’spreparations。Anadeptatturningroundinhiscabin，heiscareful，beforehesinksintotheimmobilityofpupadom，toturnhisheadnowupwards，nowdownwards，towardstheopening，sothattheadultinsect，whichismuchlessfreethanthelarvainitsmovements，mayreachtheoutsidewithoutobstacle。
Moreover，itisthepupaitself，theunbendingchrysalis，incapableofturningandobligedtomoveallinonepiece，which，stubbornlycrawling，carriesthemaletothethresholdofthecase。Itemergeshalfwayattheendoftheuncoveredsilkyvestibuleandtherebreaks，obstructingtheopeningwithitssloughasitdoesso。ForatimetheMothstandsstillontheroofofthecottage，allowinghishumourstoevaporate，hiswingstospreadandgatherstrength；thenatlastthegallanttakesflight，insearchofherforwhosesakehehasmadehimselfsospruce。
Hewearsacostumeofdeepestblack，allexcepttheedgesofthewings，which，havingnoscales，remaindiaphanous。Hisantennæ；，likewiseblack，arewideandgracefulplumes。Weretheyonalargerscale，theywouldthrowthefeatheredbeautyoftheMarabouandOstrichintotheshade。
Thebravelybe-plumedonevisitscaseaftercaseinhistortuousflight，pryingintothesecretsofthosealcoves。Ifthingsgoashewishes，hesettles，withaquickflutterofhiswings，ontheextremityofthedenudedvestibule。Comesthewedding，asdiscreetasthatofthesmallerPsyche。
HereisyetanotherwhodoesnotseeoratmostcatchesafleetingglimpseofherforwhosesakehehasdonnedMaraboufeathersandablack-velvetcloak。
Therecluseonhersideisequallyimpatient。Theloversareshort-lived；
theydieinmycageswithinthreeorfourdays，sothat，forlongintervals，untilthehatchingofsomelate-comer，thefemalepopulationisshortofsuitors。So，whenthemorningsun，alreadyhot，strikesthecage，averysingularspectacleisrepeatedmanytimesbeforemyeyes。Theentrancetothevestibuleswellsimperceptibly，opensandemitsamassofinfinitelydelicatedown。ASpider’sweb，cardedandmadeintowadding，wouldgivenothingofsuchgossamerfineness。Itisavaporouscloud。Then，fromoutofthisincomparableeiderdown，appeartheheadandfore-partofaverydifferentsortofcaterpillarfromtheoriginalcollectorofstraws。
Itisthemistressofthehouse，themarriageableMoth，who，feelingherhourabouttocomeandfailingtoreceivetheexpectedvisit，herselfmakestheadvancesandgoes，asfarasshecan，tomeetherplumedswain。
Hedoesnotcomehasteningupandforgoodreason:thereisnotamaleleftintheestablishment。Fortwoorthreehoursthepoorforsakenoneleans，withoutmoving，fromherwindow。Then，tiredofwaiting，verygentlyshegoesindoorsagain，backwards，andreturnstohercell。
Nextday，thedayafterandlaterstill，aslongasherstrengthpermits，shereappearsonherbalcony，alwaysinthemorning，inthesoftraysofawarmsunandalwaysonasofaofthatincomparabledown，whichdispersesandturnstovapourifImerelyfanitwithmyhand。Againnoonecomes。ForthelasttimethedisappointedMothgoesbacktoherboudoir，nevertoleaveitagain。Shediesinit，driesup，auselessthing。Iholdmybell-jarsresponsibleforthiscrimeagainstmotherhood。Intheopenfields，withoutadoubt，soonerorlaterwooerswouldhaveappeared，comingfromthefourwinds。
Thesaidbell-jarshaveanevenmorepitifulcatastropheontheirconscience。
Sometimes，leaningtoofarfromherwindow，miscalculatingthebalancebetweenthefrontofthebody，whichisatliberty，andtheback，whichremainssheathedinitscase，theMothallowsherselftodroptotheground。
Itisallupnowwiththefallenoneandherlineage。Still，thereisonegoodthingaboutit。AccidentssuchasthislaybarethemotherPsyche，withoutourhavingtobreakintoherhouse。
Whatamiserablecreaturesheis，agreatdealuglierthantheoriginalcaterpillar！Heretransfigurationspellsdisfigurement，progressmeansretrogression。Whatwehavebeforeoureyesisawrinkledsatchel，anearthy-yellowsausage；andthishorror，worsethanamaggot，isaMothinthefullbloomoflife，agenuineadultMoth。SheisthebetrothedoftheelegantblackBombyx，allplumedwithMarabou-feathers，andrepresentstohimthelastwordinbeauty。Astheproverbsays，beautyliesinlovers’eyes:aprofoundtruthwhichthePsycheconfirmsinstrikingfashion。
Letusdescribetheuglylittlesausage。Averysmallhead，apaltryglobule，disappearingalmostentirelyinthefoldsofthefirstsegment。
Whatneedisthereofcraniumandbrainsforagerm-bag！Andsothetinycreaturealmostdoeswithoutthem，reducesthemtothesimplestexpression。
Nevertheless，therearetwoblackocularspecks。Dothesevestigialeyesseetheirwayabout？Notveryclearly，wemaybesure。Thepleasuresoflightmustbeverysmallforthisstay-at-home，whoappearsatherwindowonlyonrareoccasions，whenthemaleMothislateinarriving。
Thelegsarewell-shaped，butsoshortandweakthattheyareofnouseatallforlocomotion。Thewholebodyisapaleyellow，semitransparentinfront，opaqueandstuffedwitheggsbehind。Underneaththefirstsegmentsisasortofneck-band，thatistosay，adarkstain，thevestigeofacropshowingthroughtheskin。Apadofshortdownendstheoviferouspartattheback。Itisallthatremainsofafleece，ofathinvelvetwhichtheinsectrubsoffasitmovesbackwardsandforwardsinitsnarrowlodging。Thisformstheflakymasswhichwhitensthetrysting-windowatthewedding-timeandalsolinestheinsideofthesheathwithdown。
Inshort，thecreatureislittlemorethanabagswollenwitheggsforthebestpartofitslength。Iknownothinglowerinthescaleofwretchedness。
Thegerm-bagmoves，butnot，ofcourse，withthosevestigesoflegswhichformtooshortandfeeblesupports；itgetsaboutinawaythatallowsittoprogressonitsback，bellyorsideindifferently。Agrooveishollowedoutatthehinderendofthebag，adeep，dividinggroovewhichcutstheinsectintotwo。Itrunstothefrontpart，spreadinglikeawave，andgentlyandslowlyreachesthehead。Thisundulationconstitutesastep。
Whenitisdone，theanimalhasadvancedaboutatwenty-fifthpartofaninch。
Togofromoneendtotheotherofaboxtwoincheslongandfilledwithfinesand，thelivingsausagetakesnearlyanhour。Itisbycrawlinglikethisthatitmovesaboutinitscase，whenitcomestothethresholdtomeetitsvisitorandgoesinagain。
Forthreeorfourdays，exposedtotheroughnessofthesoil，theoviferousbagleadsawretchedlife，creepingaboutatrandom，or，moreoften，standingstill。NoMothpaysattentiontothepoorthing，whopossessesnoattractionsoutsideherhome；theloverspassbywithanindifferentair。Thiscoolnessislogicalenough。Whyshouldshebecomeamother，ifherfamilyistobeabandonedtotheinclemenciesofthepublicway？Andso，afterfallingbyaccidentfromhercase，whichwouldhavebeenthecradleoftheyoungsters，thewandererwithersinafewdaysanddieschildless。
Thefertilizedones——andthesearethemorenumerous——theprudentoneswhohavesavedthemselvesfromafallbybeinglesslavishwiththeirappearancesatthewindow，reenterthesheathanddonotshowthemselvesagainoncetheMoth’svisittothethresholdisover。Letuswaitafortnightandthenopenthecaselengthwisewithourscissors。Attheend，inthewidestpart，oppositethevestibule，isthesloughofthechrysalis，along，fragile，amber-colouredsack，openattheendthatcontainsthehead，theendfacingtheexit-passage。Inthissack，whichshefillslikeamould，liesthemother，theegg-bladder，nowgivingnosignoflife。
Fromthisambersheath，whichpresentsalltheusualcharacteristicsofachrysalis，theadultPsycheemerged，intheguiseofashapelessMoth，lookinglikeabigmaggot:atthepresenttime，shehasslippedbackintoheroldjacket，mouldingherselfintoitinsuchawaythatitbecomesdifficulttoseparatethecontainerfromthecontents。Onewouldtakethewholethingforasinglebody。
Itseemsverylikelythatthiscastskin，whichoccupiesthebestplaceinthehome，formedthePsyche’srefugewhen，wearyofwaitingonthethresholdofherhall，sheretiredtothebackroom。Shehasthereforegoneinandoutrepeatedly。Thisconstantgoingandcoming，thiscontinualrubbingagainstthesidesofanarrowcorridor，justwideenoughforhertopassthroughendedbystrippingherofherdown。Shehadafleecetostartwith，averylightandscantyfleece，itistrue，butstillavestigeofthecostumewhichMothsarewonttowear。Thisfluffshehaslost。Whathasshedonewithit？
TheEiderrobsherselfofherdowntomakealuxuriousbedforherbrood；
thenewbornRabbitslieonamattresswhichtheirmothercardsforthemwiththesoftestpartofherfur，shornfromthebellyandneck，wherevertheshearsofherfrontteethcanreachit。ThisfondtendernessissharedbythePsyche，asyouwillsee。
Infrontofthechrysalidbagisanabundantmassofextra-finewadding，similartothatofwhichafewflocksusedtofalloutsideontheoccasionswhenthereclusewenttoherwindow。Isitsilk？Isitspunmuslin？No；
butitissomethingofincomparabledelicacy。Themicroscoperecognizesitasthescalydust，theimpalpabledowninwhicheveryMothisclad。
Togiveasnugsheltertothelittlecaterpillarswhowillsoonbeswarminginthecase，toprovidethemwitharefugeinwhichtheycanplayaboutandgatherstrengthbeforeenteringthewideworld，thePsychehasstrippedherselfofherfurlikethemotherRabbit。
Thisdenudationmaybeameremechanicalresult，anunintentionaleffectofrepeatedrubbingagainstthelow-roofedwalls:butthereisnothingtotellusso。Maternityhasitsforesight，evenamongthehumblest。I
thereforepicturethehairyMothtwistingabout，goingtoandfrointhenarrowpassageinordertogetridofthefleeceandpreparebeadingforheroffspring。Itisevenpossiblethatshemanagestouseherlips，thatvestigeofamouth，inordertopulloutthedownthatrefusestocomeawayofitself。
Nomatterwhatthemethodofshearingmaybe，amoundofscalesandhairsfillsupthecaseinfrontofthechrysalidbag。Forthemoment，itisabarricadepreventingaccesstothehouse，whichisopenatthehinderend；soon，itwillbeadownycouchonwhichthelittlecaterpillarswillrestforawhileafterleavingtheegg。Here，warmlyensconcedinarugofextremesoftness，theycallahaltasapreparationfortheemergenceandtheworkthatfollowsit。
Notthatsilkislacking:onthecontrary，itabounds。Thecaterpillarlavisheditduringhistimeasaspinnerandapicker-upofstraws。Thewholeinteriorofthecaseispaddedwiththickwhitesatin。
Buthowgreatlypreferabletothistoo-compactandluxuriousupholsteryisthedelightfuleiderdownbeddingofthenew-bornyoungsters！
Weknowthepreparationsmadeforthecomingfamily。Now，wherearetheeggs？Atwhatspotaretheylaid？ThesmallestofmythreePsyches，whoislessmisshapenthantheothersandfreerinhermovements，leaveshercasealtogether。Shepossessesalongovipositorandinsertsit，throughtheexit-hole，rightintothechrysalidslough，whichisleftwhereitwasintheformofabag。Thissloughreceivesthelaying。Whentheoperationisfinishedandthebagofeggsisfull，themotherdiesoutside，hangingontothecase。
ThetwootherPsyches，whodonotcarrytelescopicovipositorsandwhoseonlymethodofchangingtheirpositionisadubioussortofcrawling，havemoresingularcustomstoshowus。OnemightquotewithregardtothemwhatusedtobesaidoftheRomanmatrons，thosemodelmothers:
"Domimansit，lanamfecit。"
Yes，lanamfecit。ThePsychedoesnotreallyworkthewoolonthedistaff；butatleastshebequeathestohersonsherownfleececonvertedintoaheapofwadding。Yes，domimansit。Sheneverleavesherhouse，notevenforherwedding，notevenforthepurposeoflayinghereggs。
Wehaveseenhow，afterreceivingthevisitofthemale，theshapelessMoth，thatuncouthsausage，retreatstothebackofhercaseandwithdrawsintoherchrysalidslough，whichshefillsexactly，justasthoughshehadneverleftit。Theeggsareintheirplacethenandthere；theyoccupytheregulationsackfavouredbythevariousPsyches。Ofwhatusewouldalayingbenow？Strictlyspeaking，thereisnone，infact；thatistosay，theeggsdonotleavethemother’swomb。Thelivingpouchwhichhasengenderedthemkeepsthemwithinitself。
Soonthisbaglosesitsmoisturebyevaporation；itdriesupandatthesametimeremainsstickingtothechrysalidwrapper，thatfirmsupport。
Letusopenthething。Whatdoesthemagnifying。glassshowus？Afewtracheanthreads，leanbundlesofmuscles，nervousramifications，inshort，therelicsofaformofvitalityreducedtoitssimplestexpression。Takenallaround，verynearlynothing。Therestofthecontentsisamassofeggs，anagglomerationofgermsnumberingcloseuponthreehundred。Inaword，theinsectisoneenormousovary，assistedbyjustsomuchasenablesittoperformitsfunctions。
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[note1]:Psycheunicolor，HUFN。；P。graminella，SCHIFFER-MÜ；LLER——Author’sNote。
[note2]:Asfarascanbejudgedfromthecaseonly，Psychefebretta，BOYERDEFONSCOLOMBE——Author’sNote。
[note3]:FumeacomitellaandF。intermediella，BRUAND——Author’sNote。10，TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916X:THEPSYCHES:
THECASES
THEhatchingoftheeggstakesplaceinthefirstfortnightofJuly。
Thelittlegrubsmeasureaboutonetwenty-fifthofaninch。Theirheadandtheupperpartofthefirstthoracicsegmentareaglossyblack，thenexttwosegmentsbrownishandtherestofthebodyapaleamber。Sharp，livelylittlecreatures，whorunaboutwithshort，quicksteps，theyswarmalloverthespongy，hairytissueresultingfromthecast-oftclothingoftheeggs。
ThebookstellmethatthelittlePsychesbeginbyeatinguptheirmother:
aloathsomebanquetforwhichthesaidbooksmustacceptresponsibility。
Iseenothingofthesort；andIdonotevenunderstandhowtheideaarose。
Themotherbequeathstohersonshercase，whosestrawsaresearchedforwadding，thematerialofthefirstcoat；outofherchrysalidsloughandherskinshemakesthematwo-foldshelterforthehatching-time；withherdownshepreparesadefensivebarricadeforthemandaplacewhereintowaitbeforeemerging。Thusallisgiven，allspentwithaviewtothefuture。
Saveforsomethin，drystripswhichmylenscanonlywithdifficultydistinguish，thereisnothingleftthatcouldprovideacannibalfeastforsonumerousafamily。
No，mylittlePsyches，youdonoteatyourmother。InvaindoIwatchyou:never，eithertoclotheortofeedhimself，doesanyoneofyoulayatoothupontheremainsofthedeceased。Thematernalskinisleftuntouched，asarethoseotherinsignificantrelics，thelayerofmusculartissueandthenetworkofair-ducts。Thesackleftbehindbythechrysalisalsoremainsintact。
Thetimecomestoquitthenatalwallet。Anoutlethasbeencontrivedlongbeforehand，savingtheyoungstersfromcommittinganyactofviolenceagainstwhatwasoncetheirmother。Thereisnosacrilegiouscuttingtobedonewiththeshears；thedooropensofitself。
Whenshewasawrigglingspeckofsausage，themother’sfrontsegmentswereremarkablytranslucent，formingacontrastwiththerestofthebody。Thiswasveryprobablyasignofalessdenseandlesstoughtexturethanelsewhere。Thesignisnotmisleading。Thedrygourdtowhichthemotherisnowreducedhasforaneckthosediaphanousrings，which，astheywithered，becameextremelyfragile。Doesthisneck，thisoperculumfallofitsownaccord，orisitpushedoffbythepigmiesimpatient。
togetaway？Idonotknowforcertain。This，however，Icansay，thatblowingonitisenoughtomakeitdropoff。
Inanticipationthereforeoftheemergence，anexceedinglyeasyandperhapsevenspontaneousmethodofdecapitationispreparedinthemother’slifetime。Tomanufactureadelicateneckforyourselfsothatyoumaybeeasilybeheadedatthepropertimeandthusleavethewayfreetotheyoungstersisanactofdevotioninwhichthemostunconsciousmaternalaffectionstandssublimelyrevealed。Thatmiserablemaggot，thatsausageMoth，scarceabletocrawlandyetsoclear-sightedwherethefutureisconcerned，staggersthemindofanyonewhoknowshowtothink。
Thebroodemergefromthenatalwalletthroughthewindowjustopenedbythefallofthehead。Thechrysalidsack，thesecondwrapper，presentsnoobstacle；ithasremainedopensincetheadultPsycheleftit。Nextcomesthemassofeiderdown，theheapoffluffofwhichthemotherstrippedherself。Herethelittlecaterpillarsstop。Muchmorespaciouslyandcomfortablylodgedthaninthebagwhencetheyhavecome，sometakearest，othersbustleabout，exercisethemselvesinwalking。
Allpickupstrengthinpreparationfortheirexodusintothedaylight。
Theydonotstaylongamidthisluxury。Gradually，astheygainvigour，theycomeoutandspreadoverthesurfaceofthecase。Workbeginsatonce，averyurgentwork，thatofthewardrobe。Thefirstmouthfulswillcomeafterwards，whenwearedressed。
Montaigne，whenputtingonthecloakwhichhisfatherhadwornbeforehim，usedatouchingexpression。Hesaid:
"Idressmyselfinmyfather。"
TheyoungPsychesinthesamewaydressthemselvesintheirmother:
theycoverthemselveswiththeclothesleftbehindbythedeceased，theyscrapefromitthewherewithaltomakethemselvesacottonfrock。Thematerialemployedisthepithofthelittlestalks，especiallyofthepieceswhich，splitlengthwise，aremoreeasilystrippedoftheircontents。Thegrubfirstfindsaspottosuitit。Havingdoneso，itgleans，itplaneswithitsmandibles。Thusasuperblywhitewaddingisextractedfromoldlogs。
Themannerofbeginningthegarmentisworthnoting。Thetinycreatureemploysasjudiciousamethodasanywhichourownindustrycouldhopetodiscover。Thewaddingiscollectedininfinitesimalpellets。Howaretheselittleparticlestobefixedasandwhentheyaredetachedbytheshearsofthemandibles？Themanufacturerneedsasupport，abase；andthissupportcannotbeobtainedonthecaterpillar’sownbody，foranyadherencewouldbeseriouslyembarrassingandwouldhamperfreedomofmovement。
Thedifficultyisovercomeverycleverly。Scrapsofplusharegatheredandbydegreesfastenedtooneanotherwiththreadsofsilk。Thisformsasortofrectilineargarlandinwhichtheparticlescollectedswingfromacommonrope。Whenthesepreparationsaredeemedsufficient，thelittlecreaturepassesthegarlandrounditswaist，ataboutthethirdsegmentofthethorax，soastoleaveitssixlegsfree；thenittiesthetwoendswithabitofsilk。Theresultisagirdle，generallyincomplete，butsooncompletedwithotherscrapsfastenedtothesilkribbonthatcarrieseverything。
Thisgirdleisthebaseofthework，thesupport。Henceforth，tolengthenthepiece，toenlargeitintotheperfectgarment，thegrubhasonlytofix，alwaysatthefore-edge，withtheaidofitsspinnerets，nowatthetop，nowatthebottomorside，thescrapsofpithwhichthemandiblesneverceaseextracting。Nothingcouldbebetterthoughtoutthanthisinitialgarlandlaidoutflatandthenbuckledlikeabeltaroundtheloins。
Oncethisbaseislaid，theweaving-loomisinfullswing。Thepiecewovenisfirstatinystringaroundthewaist；next，bytheadditionoffreshpellets，alwaysatthefore-edge，itgrowsintoascarf，awaistcoat，ashortjacketandlastlyasack，whichgraduallymakesitswaybackwards，notofitself，butthroughtheactionoftheweaver，whoslipsforwardinthepartofthecasealreadymade。Inafewhours，thegarmentiscompleted。
Itisbythattimeaconicalhood，acloakofmagnificentwhitenessandfinish。
Wenowknowallaboutit。Onleavingthematernalhut，withoutsearching，withoutdistantexpeditionswhichwouldbesodanger。ousatthatage，thelittlePsychefindsinthetenderbeamsoftheroofthewherewithaltoclothehimself。Heissparedtheperilsofroaminginastateofnudity。
Whenheleavesthehouse，hewillbequitewarm，thankstothemother，whotakescaretoinstalherfamilyintheoldcaseandgivesitchoicematerialstoworkwith。
Ifthegrub-wormweretodropoutofthehovel，ifsomegustofwindswepthimtoadistance，mostoftenthepoormitewouldbelost。Ligneousstraws，richinpith，dryandrettedtoaturn，arenottobefoundeverywhere。
Itwouldmeantheimpossibilityofanyclothingand，inthatdirepoverty，anearlydeath。But，ifsuitablematerialsareencountered，equalinqualitytothosebequeathedbythemother，howisitthattheexileisunabletomakeuseofthem？Letuslookintothis。
Isegregateafewnew-borngrubsinaglasstubeandgivethemfortheirmaterialssomesplitpiecesofstraw，pickedfromamongtheoldstalksofasortofdandelion，Pterothecanemausensis。Thoughrobbedoftheinheritanceofthematernalmanor，thegrubsseemverywellsatisfiedwithmybits。Withouttheleasthesitation，theyscrapeoutofthemasuperbwhitepithandmakeitintoadeliciouscloak，muchhandsomerthanthatwhichtheywouldhaveobtainedwiththeruinsofthenativehouse，thislattercloakbeingalwaysmoreorlessflawedwithdarkermaterials，whosecolourhasbeenimpairedbylongexposuretotheair。
Ontheotherhand，theNimesdandelion，arelicoflastspring，hasitscentralpart，whichImyselflaybare，aspotlesswhite；andthecottonnightcapachievestheveryperfectionofwhiteness。
Iobtainanevenbetterresultwithroundsofsorghum-pithtakenfromthekitchen-broom。Thistime，theworkhasglitteringcrystallinepointsandlookslikeathingbuiltofgrainsofsugar。Itismymanufacturers’
masterpiece。
Thesetwosuccessesauthorizemetovarytherawmaterialstillfurther。
Intheabsenceofnew-borncaterpillars，whoarenotalwaysatmydisposal，IemploygrubswhichIhaveundressed，thatistosay，whichIhavetakenoutoftheircaps。TothesedivestedonesIgive，astheonlythingtoworkupon，astripofpaperfreefrompasteandeasytopicktopieces，inshort，apieceofblotting-paper。
Hereagainthereisnohesitation。Thegrubslustilyscrapethissurface，newtothemthoughitbe，andmakethemselvesapapercoatofit。CadetRoussel，[note1]offamousmemory，hadacoatofsimilarstuff，butmuchlessfineandsilky。Mypaper-cladchargesaresowell-pleasedwiththeirmaterialsthattheyscorntheirnativecase，whenitisafterwardsplacedattheirdisposal，andcontinuetoscrapelintfromtheindustrialproduct。
Othersaregivennothingintheirtube，butareabletogetatthecorkthatclosestheglassdwelling-house。Thisisenough。Theundrapedoneshastentoscrapethecork，tobreakitintoatomsandoutofthesetomakethemselvesagranulatedfrock，asfaultlesslyelegantasthoughtheirracehadalwaysmadeuseofthismaterial。Thenoveltyofthestuff，employedperhapsforthefirsttime，hasmadenochangeinthecutofthecoat。
Tosumup，theyacceptanyvegetablematterthatisdry，lightandnottooresistant。Wouldtheybehavelikewisetowardsanimalmaterialsandespeciallymineralmaterials，onconditionthattheseareofasuitablethinness？ItakeaGreatPeacock’swing，leftoverfrommyexperimentsinthenuptialtelegraphyofthisMoth，[note2]andcutfromitastriponwhichIplace，atthebottomofatube，twolittlecaterpillarsstrippedoftheirclothing。Thetwoprisonershavenothingelseattheirdisposal。Anydraperythattheywantmustbegotoutofthisscalyexpanse。
Theyhesitateforalongtimeinthepresenceofthatstrangecarpet。
Intwenty-fourhours’time，oneofthecaterpillarshasstartednoworkandseemsresolvedtolethimselfdie，nakedasheis。Theother，stouter-hearted，orperhapslessinjuredbythebrutalstripping-process，explorestheslipforalittlewhileandatlastresolvestomakeuseofit。Beforethedayisover，hehasclothedhimselfingreyvelvetoutoftheGreatPeacock’sscales。Consideringthedelicacyofthematerials，theworkisexquisitelycorrect。
Letusgoastepfartherinourexplorations。Forthesoft，yieldingwaddingcollectedfromaplant，orthedowngleanedfromthewingofaMoth，wewillsubstituteroughstone。Intheirfinalstate，Iknow，thePsyches’casesareoftenladenwithgrainsofsandandearthyparticles；
buttheseareaccidentalbricks，whichhavebeeninadvertentlytouchedbythespinneretandincorporatedunintentionallyinthethatch。Thedelicatecreaturesknowtoowellthedrawbacksofapebblypillowtoseekthesupportofstone。Mineralmatterisdistastefultothem；anditismineralmatterthatnowhastobeworkedlikewool。
True，Iselectsuchstonesinmycollectionasareleastoutofkeepingwiththefeeblepowersofmygrubs。Ipossessaspecimenofflakyhematite。
Atthemeresttouchofahair-pencilitbreaksintoatomsalmostasminuteasthedustwhichaButterfly’swingleavesonourfingers。Onabedofthismaterial，whichglitterslikeasteelfiling，Iestablishfouryoungcaterpillarsextractedfromtheirclothing。Iforeseeacheckinthisexperimentandconsequentlyincreasethenumberofmysubjects。
ItisasIthought。Thedaypassesandthefourcaterpillarsremainbare。Nextday，however，one，onealone，decidestoclothehimself。Hisworkisatiarawithmetallicfacets，inwhichthelightplayswithflashesofeverycolouroftherainbow。Itisveryrich，verysumptuous，butmightilyheavyandcumbrous。Walkingbecomeslaboriousunderthatloadofmetal。
EvensomustaByzantineemperorhaveprogressedatceremoniesofstate，afterdonninghisgold-workeddalmatic。
Poorlittlecreature！Moresensiblethanman，youdidnotselectthatridiculousmagnificenceofyourownfreewill；itwasIwhoforceditonyou。Here，tomakeamends，isadiskofsorghum-pith。Flingoffyourproudtiara，thrustitfromyouquicklyandplaceinitssteadacottonnight-cap，whichismuchhealthier。Thisisdoneonthesecondday。
ThePsychehashisfavouritematerialswhenstartingasamanufacturer:
avegetablelintcollectedfromanyligneousscrapwellsoftenedbytheair，alintusuallysuppliedbytheoldroofofthematernalhut。Intheabsenceoftheregulationfabric，heisabletomakeuseofanimalvelvet，inparticularofthescalyfluffofaMoth。Incaseofnecessity，hedoesnotshrinkfromactsofsheermadness:heweavesmineralmatter，sourgentishisneedtoclothehimself。
Thisneedoutweighsthatofnourishment。Itakeayoungcaterpillarfromhisgrazing-ground，aleafofveryhairyhawkweedwhich，aftermanyattempts，Ihavefoundtosuithimasfoodbecauseofitsgreenbladeandaswoolbecauseofitswhitefleece。Itakehim，Isay，fromhisrefectoryandleavehimtofastforacoupleofdays。ThenIstriphimandputhimbackonhisleaf。AndIseehim，unmindfulofeating，inspiteofhislongfast，firstlabouringtomakehimselfanewcoatbycollectingthehairsofthehawkweed。Hisappetitewillbesatisfiedafterwards。
Ishethensosusceptibletocold？Weareinthemidstofthedog-days。
ThesunshootsdownafierytorrentthatbringsthewildconcertoftheCicadæ；uptofever-pitch。InthebakingheatofthestudywhereI
amquestioningmyanimals，Ihaveflungoffhatandnecktieandamworkinginmyshirt-sleeves；and，inthisoven，whatthePsycheclamoursforis，aboveallthings，awarmcovering。Well，littleshiverer，Iwillsatisfyyou！
Iexposehimtothedirectraysofthesun，onthewindow-ledge。Thistime，itistoomuchofagoodthing；Ihavegonebeyondallbounds。Thesun-scorchedonewrigglesabout，flourisheshisabdomen，alwaysasignofdiscomfort。Butthemakingofthehawk-weedcassockisnotsuspendedonthisaccount；onthecontrary，itispursuedmorehurriedlythanever。
Couldthisbebecauseoftheexcessivelight？Isnotthecotton-woolbagaretreatwhereinthecaterpillarisolateshimself，shelteringfromtheimportunitiesofbroaddaylight，andgentlydigestsandsleeps？Letusgetridofthelight，whileretainingawarmtemperature。
Afterapreliminarystripping，thelittlecaterpillarsarenowlodgedinacardboardbox，whichIplaceinthesunniestcornerofmywindow。
Thetemperaturehereiswellover100degreesF。Nomatter:theswan’s-downsackisremadeatasittingofafewhours。Tropicalheatandthequietthatgoeswithdarknesshavemadenodifferenceintheinsect’shabits。
Neitherthedegreeofheatnorthedegreeoflightexplainsthepressingneedofraiment。Wherearewetoseekthereasonforthathurrytogetclad？Icanseenonesaveapresentimentofthefuture。ThePsychecaterpillarhasthewinterbeforehim。Heknowsnothingofacommonshelterinasilkenpurse，ofcabinsamongclose-touchingleaves，ofundergroundcells，ofretreatsunderoldcrackedbark，ofhairyroofs，ofcocoons，inshortofthedifferentmethodsemployedbyothercaterpillarstoprotectthemselvesagainsttheseverityoftheweather。Hehastospendthewinterexposedtotheinclemenciesoftheair。Thisperilcauseshisparticulartalent。
Hebuildshimselfaroofwhoseimbricatedanddivergingstalkswillallowcolddewsanddropsofmeltedsnowtotrickleawayatadistance，whenthecaseisfixedandhangingvertically。Underthiscovering，heweavesathicksilklining，whichwillmakeasoftmattressandarampartagainsttheeffectsofthecold。Oncetheseprecautionsaretaken，thewintermaycomeandthenorthwindrage:thePsycheissleepingpeacefullyinhishut。
Butallthisisnotimprovisedasthestormyseasonapproaches。Itisadelicateworkwhichtakestimetocarryout。Allhislife-longthecaterpillarlaboursatit，improvingit，addingtoit，strengtheningitincessantly。And，inordertoacquiregreaterskill，hebeginshisapprenticeshipatthemomentwhenheleavestheegg。Aspreliminarypracticeforthethickovercoatoffull-grownage，hetrieshishandoncottoncapes。EvensodoesthePineProcessionary，assoonashatched，weavefirstdelicatetents，thengauzycupolas，asharbingersofthemightywalletinwhichthecommunitywillmakeitshome。Bothalikeareharassedfromthedayoftheirbirthbythepresentimentofthefuture；theystartlifebybindingthemselvesapprenticestothetradethatistosafeguardthemoneday。
No，thePsycheisnotmoresensitivetocoldthananyothersmooth-skinnedcaterpillar；heisacreatureofforesight。Deprivedinwinterofthesheltersgrantedtotheothers，heprepareshimself，fromhisbirth，forthebuildingofahomethatwillbehissalvationandpractisesforitbymakingfripperiesofwaddingsuitedtohisstrength。Heforeseestherigoursofwinterduringtheblazingdog-days。
Theyarenowallclad，myyoungcaterpillars，numberingnearlyathousand。Theywanderrestlesslyinlargeglassreceptacles，closedwithasheetofglass。Whatdoyouseek，littleones，swingingyourpretty，snow-whitecloaksasyougo？Food，ofcourse。Afterallthatfatigue，youneedrefreshment。Despitevournumbers，youwillnotbetooheavyaburdenonmyresources:youcanmanagewithsolittle！Butwhatdoyouaskfor？Youcertainlydonotcountonmeforyoursupplies。IntheopenfieldsyouwouldhavefoundvictualstoyourlikingmuchmoreeasilythanIcanhopetofindthemforyou。Sincemywishtoknowallaboutyouplacesyouinmycharge，IhaveadutywhichImustobserve:thatoffeedingyou。
Whatdoyouwant？
ThepartofProvidenceisaverydifficultonetoplay。Thepurveyoroffoodstuffs，thinkingofthemorrow，takinghisprecautionssothatthehomemaybealwaysmoreorlesssupplied，performsthemostdeservingbutalsothemostlaboriousoffunctions。Thelittleoneswatttrustingly，persuadedthatthingshappenofthemselves，whileheanxiouslyresortstoeverykindofingenuityandtrouble，wonderingwhethertherightthingwillcome。Ah，howwelllongpracticehastaughtmetoknowthetrade，withallitsworriesandallitsjoys！
Beholdmeto-daytheProvidenceofathousandnurselingsthrustuponmebymystudies。Itryalittleofeverything。Thetenderleavesoftheelmappeartosuit。IfIservethemuponeday，Ifindthemnextmorningnibbledonthesurface，insmallpatches。Tinygrainsofimpalpableblackdust，scatteredhereandthere，tellmethattheintestineshavebeenatwork。Thisgivesmeamomentofsatisfactionwhichwillbereadilyunderstoodbyanybreederofaherdwhosedietisunknown。Thehopeofsuccessgainsstrength:Iknowhowtofeedmyvermin。HaveIdiscoveredthebestmethodatthefirstattempt？Idarenotthinkso。
Icontinuethereforetovarythefare，buttheresultshardlycomeuptomywishes。Theflockrefusesmyassortedgreenstuffandevenendsbytakingadisliketotheelm-leaves。IambeginningtobelievethatIhavefailedutterly，whenahappyinspirationoccurstome。Ihaverecognizedamongthebitsthatgotoformthecaseafewfragmentsofthemouse-earhawkweedHieraciumpilosella。SothePsychefrequentsthatplant。Whyshouldhenotbrowseit？Letustry。
Themouse-eardisplaysitslittleroundflowersinprofusioninastonyfieldjustbesidemyhouse，atthefootofthewallwhereIhavesooftenfoundPsyche-caseshangingIgatherahandfulanddistributeitamongmydifferentfolds。Thistimethefood-problemissolved。ThePsychesforthwithsettleinsolidmassesonthehairyleavesandnibbleatthemgreedilyinsmallpatches，inwhichtheepidermisoftheothersurfaceremainsuntouched。
Wewillleavethemtotheirgrazing，withwhichtheyseemquitesatisfied，andaskourselvesacertainquestionrelatingtocleanliness。HowdoesthelittlePsychegetridofhisdigestiverefuse？Rememberthatheisenclosedinasack。Onedarenotentertainthethoughtofordureejectedandaccumulatingatthefarendofthedazzlingwhiteplushcap。Filthcannotdwellundersoelegantacovering。Howisthesordidevacuationmanaged？
Despitethefactthatitendsinaconicalpoint，inwhichthelensrevealsnobreakofcontinuity，thesackisnotclosedatthehinderend。
Itsmethodofmanufacture，bymeansofawaistbandwhosefore-edgeincreasesindimensionsinproportionastherear-edgeispushedfartherback，provesthissufficiently。Thehinderendbecomespointedsimplyowingtotheshrinkingofthematerial，whichcontractsofitselfatthepartwherethecaterpillar’sdecreasingdiameternolongerdistendsit。Thereisthusatthepointapermanentholewhoselipsremainclosed。Thecaterpillarhasonlytogoalittlewaybackandthestuffexpands，theholewidens，theroadisopenandtheexcretionsfalltotheground。Ontheotherhand，sosoonasthecaterpillartakesastepforwardintohiscase，therubbish-shootclosesofitself。Itisaverysimpleandveryingeniousmechanism，asgoodasanythingcontrivedbyourseamstressestocopewiththeshortcomingsofaboy’sfirstpairofbreeches。
Meanwhilethegrubgrowsanditstuniccontinuestofitit，isneithertoolargenortoosmall，butjusttherightsize。Howisthisdone？Ifthetext-booksweretobecredited，Imightexpecttoseethecaterpillarsplithissheathlengthwisewhenitbecametootightandafterwardsenlargeitbymeansofapieceiswhatourtailorsdo；hutitisnotthePsyches’methodatall。Theyknowsomethingmuchbetter。
Theykeeponworkingattheircoat，whichisoldattheback，newinfrontandalwaysaperfectfitforthegrowingbody。
Nothingiseasierthantowatchthedailyprogressinsize。Afewcaterpillarshavejustmadethemselvesahoodofsorghum-pith。Theworkisperfectlybeautiful；itmighthavebeenwovenoutofsnow-flakes。Iisolatethesesmartly-dressedonesandgivethemasweaving-materialssomebrownscaleschosenfromthesoftestpartsthatIcanfindinoldbark。Betweenmorningandevening，thehoodassumesanewappearance:thetipoftheconeisstillaspotlesswhite，butallthefrontpartiscoarsedrapery，verydifferentincolouringfromtheoriginalplush。Nextday，thesorghumfelthaswhollydisappearedandisreplaced，fromoneendoftheconetotheother，byafriezeofbark。
Ithentakeawaythebrownmaterialsandputsorghum-pithintheirstead。
Thistimethecoarse，darkstuffretreatsgraduallytowardsthetopofthehood，whilethesoft，whitestuffgainsinwidth，startingfromthemouth。
Beforethedayisover，theoriginalelegantmitrewillbereconstructedentirely。
Thisalternationcanberepeatedasoftenasweplease。Indeed，byshorteningeachperiodofwork，wecaneasilyobtain，withthetwosortsofmaterial，compositeproducts，showingalternatelightanddarkbelts。
ThePsyche，asyousee，innowayfollowsthemethodsofourtailors，withtheirpiecetakenoutandanotherpieceletin。Inordertohaveacoatalwaystohissize，heneverceasesworkingatit。Theparticlescollectedareconstantlybeingfixedjustattheedgeofthesack，sothatthenewdraperyincreasesprogressivelyindimensions，keepingpacewiththecaterpillar’sgrowth。Atthesametimetheoldstuffrecedes，isdrivenbacktowardsthetipofthecone。Here，throughitsownspringiness，itcontractsandclosesthemuff。Anysurplusmatterdisintegrates，fallsintoshredsandgraduallydisappearsastheinsectroamsaboutandknocksagainstthethingswhichitmeets。Thecase，newatthefrontandoldattheback，isnevertootightbecauseitisalwaysbeingrenewed。
Aftertheveryhotperiodoftheyear，therecomesamomentwhenlightwrapsarenolongerseasonable。Autumnalrainsthreaten，followedbywinterfrosts。Itistimetomakeourselvesathickgreat-coatwithacapeofthatcharrangedinaseriesofwaterprooftippets。Itbeginswithagreatlackofaccuracy。Strawsofunevenlengthandbitsofdryleavesarefastened，withnoattemptatorder，behindtheneckofthesack，whichmuststillretainitsflexibilitysoastoallowthecaterpillartobendfreelyineverydirection。
Fewasyet，rathershortandplacedanyhow，sometimeslengthwaysandsometimesacross，theseuntidyfirstlogsoftheroofwillnotinterferewiththefinalregularityofthebuilding:theyaredestinedtodisappearandwillbepushedbackandbedrivenoutatlastasthesackgrowsinfront。
Lateron，whenthepiecesarelongerandbetter-chosen，theyareallcarefullylaidlongitudinally。Theplacingofastrawisdonewithsurprisingquicknessanddexterity。Ifthelogwhichhehasfoundsuitshim，thecaterpillartakesitbetweenhislegsandturnsitroundandround。Grippingitwithhismandiblesbyoneend，asaruleheremovesafewmorselsfromthispartandimmediatelyfixesthemtotheneckofthesack。Hisobjectinlayingbaretherawandroughsurfaces，towhichthesilkwillstickbetter，maybetoobtainafirmerhold。Evensotheplumbergivesatouchofthefileatthepointthatistobesoldered。
Then，bysheerstrengthofjaw，thecaterpillarliftshisbeam，brandishesitintheairand，withaquickmovementofhisrump，laysitonhisback。
Thespinneretatoncesetstoworkontheendcaught。Andthethingisdone:withoutanygropingaboutorcorrecting，thelogisaddedtotheothers，inthedirectionrequired。
Thefinedaysofautumnarespentintoilofthiskind，performedleisurelyandintermittently，whenthestomachisfull。Bythetimethatthecoldweatherarrives，thehouseisready。Whentheairisoncemorewarm，thePsycheresumeshiswalksabroad:heroamsalongthepaths，strollsoverthefriendlygreensward，takesafewmouthfulsandthen，whenthehourhascome，preparesforhistransformationbyhangingfromthewall。
Thesespringtimewanderings，longafterthecaseiscompletelyfinished，mademewanttoknowifthecaterpillarwouldbecapableofrepeatinghissack-weavingandroof-buildingoperations。Itakehimoutofhiscaseandplacehim，starknaked，onabedoffine，drysand。
IgivehimasmaterialstoworkwithsomeoldstalksofNimesdandelion，cutupintosticksofthesamelengthasthepiecesthatmakethecase。
Theevictedinsectdisappearsundertheheapofligneousstrawsandhurriedlystartsspinning，takingaspegsforitscordsanythingthatitslipsencounter:thebedofsandunderfoot，thecanopyoftwigsoverhead。
Sodoing，itbindstogether，inextricableconfusion，allthepiecestouchedbythespinneret，longandshort，lightandheavy，atrandom。Inthecentreofthistangledscaffolding，aworkispursuedofaquitedifferentnaturefromthatofhut-building。Thecaterpillarweavesanddoesnothingelse，notevenattemptingtoassembleintoaproperroofingthematerialsofwhichheisabletodispose。
ThePsycheowningaperfectcase，whenheresumeshisactivitywiththefineweather，scornshisoldtradeasanassembleroflogs，atradepractisedsozealouslyduringtheprevioussummer。Nowthathisstomachissatisfiedandhissilk-glandsdistended，hedevoteshissparetimesolelytoimprovingthequiltingofhiscase。Thesilkyfeltoftheinteriorisneverthickorsoftenoughtopleasehim。Thethickerandsofteritis，thebetterforhisowncomfortduringtheprocessoftransformationandforthesafetyofhisfamilyafterwards。
Well，myknavishtrickshavenowrobbedhimofeverything。Doesheperceivethedisaster？Thoughthesilkandtimberathisdisposalpermit，doeshedreamofrebuildingtheshelter，soessentialfirsttohischillybackandsecondlytohisfamily，whowillcutituptomaketheirfirsthome？
Notabitofit。HeslipsunderthemassoftwigswhereIletitfallandtherebeginstoworkexactlyashewouldhavedoneundernormalconditions。
ThisshapelessroofandthissandonwhichthejumbleofraftersarelyingnowrepresenttothePsychethewallsoftheregulationhome；and，withoutinanywaymodifyinghislabourstomeettheexigenciesofthemoment，thecaterpillarupholstersthesurfaceswithinhisreachwiththesamezestthathewouldhavedisplayedinaddingnewlayerstothequiltedliningwhichhasdisappeared。Insteadofbeingpastedontheproperwall，thepresenthangingscomeincontactwiththeroughsurfaceofthesandandthehopelesstangleofthestraws；andthespinnertakesnonotice。
Thehouseisworsethanruined:itnolongerexists。Nomatter:thecaterpillarcontinueshisactualwork；helosessightoftherealandupholsterstheimaginary。[note3]Andyeteverythingoughttoapprisehimoftheabsenceofanyroofing。Thesackwithwhichhehasmanagedtocoverhimself，veryskilfullyforthatmatter，islamentablyflabby。Itsagsandrumplesateverymovementoftheinsect’sbody。Moverover，itismadeheavywithsandandbristleswithspikesineverydirection，whichcatchinthedustoftheroadandmakeallprogressimpossible。Thusanchoredtotheground，thecaterpillarwasteshisstrengthineffortstoshifthisposition。Ittakeshimhourstomakeastartandtomovehiscumbrousdwellingafractionofaninch。
Withhisnormalcase，inwhichallthebeamsareimbricatedfromfronttobackwithscientificprecision，hegetsalongverynimbly。Hiscollectionoflogs，allfixedinfrontandallfreeattheback，formsaboat-shapedsledgewhichslipsandglidesthroughobstacleswithoutdifficulty。
But，thoughprogressbeeasy，retreatisimpracticable，foreachpieceoftheframeworkcausesthethingtostop，owingtoitsfreeend。
Well，thesackofmyvictimiscoveredwithlathspointingthiswayandthat，justinthepositioninwhichtheyhappenedtobecaughtbythespinneret，asitfasteneditsthreadshereandthere，indiscriminately。
Thebitsinfrontaresomanyspurswhichdigintothesandandneutralizealleffortstoadvance；thebitsatthesidearerakeswhoseresistancecannotbeovercome。Insuchconditions，theinsectisboundtobestrandedandtoperishonthespot。
IfIwereadvisingthecaterpillar，Ishouldsay:
"Gobacktotheartinwhichyouexcel；arrangeyourbundleneatly；
pointthecumbrouspieceslengthwise，inanorderlyfashion；dosomethingtoyoursack，whichhangstooloosely；giveitthenecessarystiffnesswithafewpropstoactasahusk；donow，inyourdistress，whatyouknewsowellhowtodobefore；summonupyouroldcarpentering-talentsandyouwillbesaved。"
Uselessadvice！Thetimeforcarpentryisover。Thehourhascomeforupholstering；andheupholstersobstinately，paddingahousewhichnolongerexists。Hewillperishmiserably，cutupbytheAnts，astheresultofhistoo-rigidinstinct。
Manyotherinstanceshavealreadytoldusasmuch。Likerunningwaterwhichdoesnotclimbslopesandwhichdoesnotflowbacktoitssource，theinsectneverretracesitsactions。Whatisdoneisdoneandcannotberecommenced。ThePsyche，butnowaclevercarpenter，willdieforwantofknowinghowtofixabeam。
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[note1]:Afictitiouscharacter，asortofdolt，createdbysomewitinaFrenchregimentquarteredinBrabantabouttheyear1792。CadetRoussel’sentertainingexploitswereperpetuatedinacontemporaryballad——Translator’sNote。
[note2]:Cf。ChapterXI。ofthepresentvolume——Translator’sNote。
[note3]:ForotherinstancesofwhatFabrecalls"theinsect’smentalincapacityinthepresenceoftheaccidental"Iwouldreferthereadertooneessayinteralia，entitled，SomeReflectionsuponInsectPsychology，whichformschap。vii。ofTheMason-bees——Translator’sNote。11，TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916TheLifeoftheCaterpillar，byJ。HenriFabre，1916XI:THEGREATPEACOCK
ITWASamemorableevening。IshallcallittheGreatPeacockevening。
WhodoesnotknowthemagnificentMoth，thelargestinEurope，cladinmaroonvelvetwithanecktieofwhitefur？Thewings，withtheirsprinklingofgreyandbrown，crossedbyafaintzig-zagandedgedwithsmokywhite，haveinthecentrearoundpatch，agreateyewithablackpupilandavariegatediriscontainingsuccessiveblack，white，chestnutandpurplearcs。
Nolessremarkableisthecaterpillar，incolouranundecidedyellow。
Onthetopofthinly-scatteredtubercles，crownedwithapalisadeofblackhairs，aresetbeadsofturquoiseblue。Hisstoutbrowncocoon，socuriouswithitsexit-shaftshapedlikeaneel-trap，isusuallyfastenedtothebarkatthebaseofoldalmond-trees。Thecaterpillarfeedsontheleavesofthesametree。
Well，onthemorningofthe6thofMay，afemaleemergesfromhercocooninmypresence，onthetableofmyinsect-laboratory。
Iforthwithcloisterher，stilldampwiththehumoursofthehatching，underawire-gauzebell-jar。Fortherest，Icherishnoparticularplans。
Iincarcerateherfrommerehabit，thehabitoftheobserveralwaysonthelook-outforwhatmayhappen。
Itwasaluckythought。Atnineo’clockintheevening，justasthehouseholdisgoingtobed，thereisagreatstirintheroomnexttomine。
LittlePaul，half-undressed，isrushingabout，jumpingandstamping，knockingthechairsoverlikeamadthing。Ihearhimcallme:
"Comequick！"hescreams。"ComeandseetheseMoths，bigasbirds！Theroomisfullofthem！"
Ihurryin。Thereisenoughtojustifythechild’senthusiasticandhyperbolicalexclamations，aninvasionasyetunprecedentedinourhouse，araidofgiantMoths。Fourarealreadycaughtandlodgedinabird-cage。
Others，morenumerous，areflutteringontheceiling。
Atthissight，theprisonerofthemorningisrecalledtomymind。
"Putonyourthings，laddie，"Isaytomyson。
"Leaveyourcageandcomewithme。Weshallseesomethinginteresting。"
Werundownstairstogotomystudy，whichoccupiestherightwingofthehouse。InthekitchenIfindtheservant，whoisalsobewilderedbywhatishappeningandstandsflickingherapronatgreatMothswhomshetookatfirstforBats。
TheGreatPeacock，itwouldseem，hastakenpossessionofprettywelleverypartofthehouse。Whatwillitbearoundmyprisoner，thecauseofthisincursion？Luckily，oneofthetwowindowsofthestudyhadbeenleftopen。Theapproachisnotblocked。
Weentertheroom，candleinhand。Whatweseeisunforgetable。Withasoftflick-flackthegreatMothsflyaroundthebell-jar，alight，setoffagain，comeback，flyuptotheceilinganddown。Theyrushatthecandle，puttingitoutwithastrokeoftheirwings；theydescendonourshoulders，clingingtoourclothes，grazingourfaces。Thescenesuggestsawizard’scave，withitswhirlofBats。LittlePaulholdsmyhandtighterthanusual，tokeepuphiscourage。
Howmanyofthemarethere？Aboutascore。Addtothesethenumberthathavestrayedintothekitchen，thenurseryandtheotherroomsofthehouse；andthetotalofthosewhohavearrivedfromtheoutsidecannotfallfarshortofforty。AsIsaid，itwasamemorableevening，thisGreatPeacockevening。ComingfromeverydirectionandapprisedIknownothow，herearefortyloverseagertopaytheirrespectstothemarriageablebridebornthatmorningamidthemysteriesofmystudy。
Forthemomentletusdisturbtheswarmofwooersnofurther。Theflameofthecandleisadangertothevisitors，whoflingthemselvesintoitmadlyandsingetheirwings。Wewillresumetheobservationtomorrowwithanexperimentalinterrogatorythoughtoutbeforehand。
Butfirstletusclearthegroundandspeakofwhathappenseverynightduringtheweekthatmyobservationlasts。Eachtimeitispitchdark，betweeneightandteno’clock，whentheMothsarriveonebyone。Itisstormyweather，theskyisverymuchovercastandthedarknessissoprofoundthatevenintheopenair，inthegarden，farfromtheshadowofthetrees，itishardlypossibletoseeone’shandbeforeone’sface。
Inadditiontothisdarknessthereisthedifficultyofaccess。Thehouseishiddenbytallplane-trees；itisapproachedbyawalkthicklyborderedwithlilac-androse-trees，formingasortofoutervestibule；
itisprotectedagainstthemistralbyclumpsofpinesandscreensofcypresses。
Clustersofbushyshrubsmakearampartafewstepsawayfromthedoor。
Itisthroughthistangleofbranches，incompletedarkness，thattheGreatPeacockhastotackabouttoreachtheobjectofhispilgrimage。
Undersuchconditions，theBrownOwlwouldnotdareleavetheholeinhisolive-tree。TheMoth，better-endowedwithhisfacetedopticalorgansthanthenight-birdwithitsgreateyes，goesforwardwithouthesitatingandpassesthroughwithoutknockingagainstthings。Hedirectshistortuousflightsoskilfullythat，despitetheobstaclesovercome，hearrivesinastateofperfectfreshness，withhisbigwingsintact，withnotascratchuponhim。Thedarknessislightenoughforhim。
Evenifwegrantthatitperceivescertainraysunknowntocommonretinæ；，thisextraordinarypowerofsightcannotbewhatwarnstheMothfromafarandbringshimhurryingtothespot。Thedistanceandthescreensinterposedmakethisquiteimpossible。
Besides，apartfromdeceptiverefractions，ofwhichthereisnoquestioninthiscase，theindicationsprovidedbylightaresoprecisethatwegostraighttothethingseen。NowtheMothsometimesblunders，notastothegeneraldirectionwhichheistotake，butastotheexactspotwheretheinterestingeventsarehappening。Ihavesaidthatthechildren’snursery，whichisatthesideofthehouseoppositemystudy，therealgoalofmyvisitorsatthepresentmoment，wasoccupiedbytheMothsbeforeIwenttherewithalightinmyhand。Thesecertainlywereill-informed。
Therewasthesamethrongofhesitatingvisitorsinthekitchen；butherethelightofalamp，thatirresistibleluretonocturnalinsects，mayhavebeguiledtheeagerones。
Letusconsideronlytheplacesthatwereinthedark。InthesethereareseveralstrayMoths。Ifindthemmoreorlesseverywherearoundtheactualspotaimedat。Forinstance，whenthecaptiveisinmystudy，thevisitorsdonotallenterbytheopenwindow，thesafeanddirectroad，onlytwoorthreeyardsawayfromthecagedprisoner。
Severalofthemcomeindownstairs，wanderaboutthehallandatmostreachthestaircase，ablindalleybarredatthetopbyacloseddoor。
Thesedatatellusthattheguestsatthisnuptialfeastdonotmakestraightfortheirobject，astheywouldiftheyderivedtheirinformationfromsomekindofluminousradiation，whetherknownorunknowntoourphysicalscience。Itissomethingelsethatapprisesthemfromafar，leadsthemtotheproximityoftheexactspotandthenleavesthefinaldiscoverytotheairyuncertaintyofrandomsearching。Itisverymuchlikethewayinwhichweourselvesareinformedbyhearingandsmell，guideswhicharefarfromaccuratewhenwewanttodecidetheprecisepointoforiginofthesoundorthesmell。
WhataretheorgansofinformationthatdirecttheruttingMothonhisnightlypilgrimage？Onesuspectstheantennæ；，which，inthemales，doinfactseemtobequestioningspacewiththeirspreadingtuftsoffeathers。
Arethosegloriousplumesmereornaments，ordotheyatthesametimeplayapartintheperceptionoftheeffluviathatguidetheenamouredswain？
Aconclusiveexperimentseemstopresentnodifficulty。
Letustryit。
Onthedayaftertheinvasion，Ifindinthestudyeightofmyvisitorsofthedaybefore。Theyareperchedmotionlessonthetransomsofthesecondwindow，whichiskeptclosed。Theothers，whentheirdancewasover，aboutteno’clockintheevening，wentoutastheycamein，thatistosay，throughthefirstwindow，whichisleftopendayandnight。ThoseeightperseveringonesarejustwhatIwantformyschemes。
Withasharppairofscissors，withoutotherwisetouchingtheMoths，Icutofftheirantennæ；，nearthebase。Thepatientstakehardlyanynoticeoftheoperation。Notonemoves；thereisscarcelyaflutterofthewings。Theseareexcellentconditions:thewounddoesnotseematallserious。Undistraughtbypain，theMothsbereftoftheirhornswilladaptthemselvesallthebettertomyplans。Therestofthedayisspentinplacidimmobilityonthecross-barsofthewindow。
Therearestillafewarrangementstobemade。Itisimportantinparticulartoshiftthesceneofoperationsandnottoleavethefemalebeforetheeyesofthemaimedonesatthemomentwhentheyresumetheirnocturnalflight，elsethemeritoftheirquestwoulddisappear。
Ithereforemovethebell-jarwithitscaptivesandplaceitunderaporchattheotherendofthehouse，somefiftyyardsfrommystudy。
Whennightcomes，Igotomakealastinspectionofmyeightvictims。
Sixhaveflownoutthroughtheopenwindow；tworemainbehind，butthesehavedroppedtothefloorandnolongerhavethestrengthtoturnoverifIlaythemontheirbacks。Theyareexhausted，dying。Praydonotblamemysurgicalwork。Thisquickdecreptitudeoccursinvariably，evenwithouttheinterventionofmyscissors。
Six，inbettercondition，havegoneoft。Willtheyreturntothebaitthatattractedthemyesterday？Thoughdeprivedoftheirantennæ；，willtheybeabletofindthecage，nowputinanotherplace，ataconsiderabledistancefromitsoriginalposition？
Thecageisstandinginthedark，almostintheopenair。Fromtimetotime，IgooutwithalanternandaButterfly-net。Eachvisitoriscaptured，examined，cataloguedandforthwithletlooseinanadjoiningroom，ofwhichIclosethedoor。Thisgradualeliminationwillenablemetotelltheexactnumber，withnoriskofcountingthesameMothmorethanonce。Moreover，thetemporarygaol，whichisspaciousandbare，willinnowayendangertheprisoners，whowillfindaquietretreatthereandplentyofroom。
Ishalltakesimilarprecautionsduringmysubsequentinvestigations。