Itistimethatwethoughtofexperimenting。TheMason-beesintendedforthejourneymustbemarkedwithasignwherebyImayknowthem。A
　　solutionofgumarabic，thickenedwithacolouring-powder，red，blueorsomeothershade，isthematerialwhichIusetomarkmytravellers。Thevarietyinhuewillsavemefromconfusingthesubjectsofmydifferentexperiments。
　　Whenmakingmyformerinvestigations，IusedtomarktheBeesattheplacewhereIsetthemfree。Forthisoperation，theinsectshadtobeheldinthefingersoneaftertheother；andIwasthusexposedtofrequentstings，whichsmartedallthemoreforbeingconstantlyrepeated。TheconsequencewasthatIwasnotalwaysquiteabletocontrolmyfingersandthumbs，tothegreatdetrimentofmytravellers；forIcouldeasilywarptheirwing-jointsandthusweakentheirflight。Itwasworthwhileimprovingthemethodofoperation，bothinmyowninterestandinthatoftheinsect。ImustmarktheBee，carryhertoadistanceandreleaseher，withouttakingherinmyfingers，withoutoncetouchingher。Theexperimentwasboundtogainbytheseniceprecautions。IwilldescribethemethodwhichIadopted。
　　TheBeeissomuchengrossedinherworkwhensheburiesherabdomeninthecellandridsherselfofherloadofpollen，orwhensheisbuilding，thatitiseasy，atsuchtimes，withoutalarmingher，tomarktheuppersideofthethoraxwithastrawdippedinthecolouredglue。Theinsectisnotdisturbedbythatslighttouch。Itfliesoff；
　　itreturnsladenwithmortarorpollen。Youallowthesetripstoberepeateduntilthemarkonthethoraxisquitedry，whichsoonhappensinthehotsunnecessarytotheBee’slabours。Thenextthingistocatchherandimprisonherinapaperbag，stillwithouttouchingher。
　　Nothingcouldbeeasier。Youplaceasmalltest-tubeovertheBeeengrossedinherwork；theinsect，onleaving，rushesintoitandisthencetransferredtothepaperbag，whichisforthwithclosedandplacedinthetinboxthatwillserveasaconveyanceforthewholeparty。WhenreleasingtheBees，allyouhavetodoisopenthebags。
　　Thewholeperformanceisthuseffectedwithoutoncegivingthatdistressingsqueezeofthefingers。
　　Anotherquestionremainstobesolvedbeforewegofurther。Whattime-
　　limitshallIallowforthiscensusoftheBeesthatreturntothenest？LetmeexplainwhatImean。ThedotwhichIhavemadeinthemiddleofthethoraxwithatouchofmystickystrawisnotverypermanent：itmerelyadherestothehairs。Atthesametime，itwouldhavebeennomorelastingifIhadheldtheinsectinmyfingers。NowtheBeeoftenbrushesherback：shedustsiteachtimesheleavesthegalleries；besides，sheisalwaysrubbinghercoatagainstthewallsofthecell，whichshehastoenterandtoleaveeachtimethatshebringshoney。AMason-bee，sosmartlydressedatthestart，attheendofherworkisinrags；herfurisallwornbareandastatteredasamechanic’soverall。
　　Furthermore，inbadweather，theMason-beeoftheWallsspendsthedaysandnightsinoneofthecellsofherdome，suspendedheaddownwards。TheMason-beeoftheSheds，aslongastherearevacantgalleries，doesverynearlythesame：shetakesshelterinthegalleries，butwithherheadattheentrance。Oncethoseoldhabitationsareinuse，however，andthebuildingofnewcellsbegun，sheselectsanotherretreat。Intheharmas（Thepieceofenclosedwastegroundonwhichtheauthorstudieshisinsectsintheirnaturalstate。Cf。"TheLifeoftheFly"：chapter1。——Translator’sNote。），asIhavesaidelsewhere，arestoneheaps，intendedforbuildingthesurroundingwall。ThisiswheremyChalicodomaepassthenight。Pileduppromiscuously，bothsexestogether，theysleepinnumerouscompanies，increvicesbetweentwostoneslaidcloselyoneontopoftheother。Someofthesecompaniesnumberasmanyasacoupleofhundred。Themostcommondormitoryisanarrowgroove。Heretheyallhuddle，asfarforwardaspossible，withtheirbacksinthegroove。I
　　seesomelyingflatontheirbacks，likepeopleasleep。Shouldbadweathercomeon，shouldtheskycloudover，shouldthenorth-windwhistle，theydonotstirout。
　　Withallthesethingstotakeintoconsideration，IcannotexpectmydotontheBee’sthoraxtolastanylengthoftime。Byday，theconstantbrushingandtherubbingagainstthepartitionsofthegalleriessoonwipeitoff；atnight，thingsareworsestill，inthenarrowsleeping-roomwheretheMason-beestakerefugebythehundred。
　　Afteranightspentinthecrevicebetweentwostones，itisnotadvisabletotrusttothemarkmadeyesterday。Therefore，thecountingofthenumberofBeesthatreturntothenestmustbetakeninhandatonce；tomorrowwouldbetoolate。Andso，asitwouldbeimpossibleformetorecognizethoseofmysubjectswhosedotshaddisappearedduringthenight，IwilltakeintoaccountonlytheBeesthatreturnonthesameday。
　　Thequestionoftherotarymachineremains。Darwinadvisedmetouseacircularboxwithanaxleandahandle。Ihavenothingofthekindinthehouse。ItwillbesimplerandquiteaseffectivetoemploythemethodofthecountrymanwhotriestolosehisCatbyswinginghiminabag。Myinsects，eachoneplacedbyitselfinapapercornet（A
　　cornetissimplytheold’sugar-bag，’thefunnel-shapedpaperbagsocommononthecontinentandstillusedoccasionallybysmallgrocersandtobacconistsinEngland。——Translator’sNote。）orscrew，shallbeplacedinatinbox；thescrewsofpapershallbewedgedinsoastoavoidcollisionsduringtherotation；lastly，theboxshallbetiedtoacordandIwillwhirlthewholethingroundlikeasling。Withthiscontrivance，itwillbequiteeasytoobtainanyrateofspeedthatI
　　wish，anyvarietyofinversemovementsthatIconsiderlikelytomakemycaptiveslosetheirbearings。Icanwhirlmyslingfirstinonedirectionandtheninanother，turnandturnabout；Icanslackenorincreasethepace；ifIlike，Icanmakeitdescribefiguresofeight，combinedwithcircles；ifIspinonmyheelsatthesametime，Iamabletomaketheprocessstillmorecomplicatedbycompellingmyslingtotraceeveryknowncurve。ThatiswhatIshalldo。
　　Onthe2ndofMay1880，ImakeawhitemarkonthethoraxoftenMason-beesbusiedwithvarioustasks：someareexploringtheslabsofclayinordertoselectasite；othersarebrick-laying；othersaregarneringstores。Whenthemarkisdry，IcatchthemandpackthemasIhavedescribed。IfirstcarrythemaquarterofamileintheoppositedirectiontotheonewhichIintendtotake。Apathskirtingmyhousefavoursthispreliminarymanoeuvre；Ihaveeveryhopeofbeingalonewhenthetimecomestomakeplaywithmysling。Thereisaway-sidecrossattheend；Istopatthefootofthecross。HereI
　　swingmyBeesineverydirection。Now，whileIammakingtheboxdescribeinversecirclesandloops，whileIampirouettingonmyheelstoachievethevariouscurves，upcomesawomanfromthevillageandstaresatme。Oh，howshestaresatme，whatalookshegivesme！Atthefootofthecross！Actinginsuchasillyway！Peopletalkedaboutit。Itwassheerwitchcraft。HadInotdugupadeadbody，onlyafewdaysbefore？Yes，Ihadbeentoaprehistoricburial-place，Ihadtakenfromitapairofvenerable，well-developedtibias，asetoffuneraryvesselsandafewshouldersofhorse，placedthereasaviaticumforthegreatjourney。Ihaddonethisthing；andpeopleknewit。Andnow，tocrownall，themanofevilreputationisfoundatthefootofacrossindulginginunhallowedantics。
　　Nomatter——anditshowsnosmallcourageonmypart——thegyrationsaredulyaccomplishedinthepresenceofthisunexpectedwitness。ThenI
　　retracemystepsandwalkwestwardofSerignan。Itaketheleast-
　　frequentedpaths，Icutacrosscountrysoas，ifpossible，toavoidasecondmeeting。ItwouldbethelaststrawifIwereseenopeningmypaperbagsandlettingloosemyinsects！Whenhalf-way，tomakemyexperimentmoredecisivestill，Irepeattherotation，inascomplicatedafashionasbefore。Irepeatitforthethirdtimeatthespotchosenfortherelease。
　　Iamattheendofaflint-strewnplain，withhereandthereascantycurtainofalmond-treesandholm-oaks。Walkingatagoodpace，Ihavetakenthirtyminutestocoverthegroundinastraightline。Thedistancethereforeis，roughly，twomiles。Itisafineday，underaclearsky，withaverylightbreezeblowingfromthenorth。Isitdownontheground，facingthesouth，sothattheinsectsmaybefreetotakeeitherthedirectionoftheirnestortheoppositeone。Iletthemlooseataquarterpasttwo。Whenthebagsareopened，theBees，forthemostpart，circleseveraltimesaroundmeandthendartoffimpetuouslyinthedirectionofSerignan，asfarasIcanjudge。Itisnoteasytowatchthem，becausetheyflyoffsuddenly，aftergoingtwoorthreetimesroundmybody，asuspicious-lookingobjectwhichtheywish，apparently，toreconnoitrebeforestarting。Aquarterofanhourlater，myeldestdaughter，Antonia，whoisonthelook-outbesidethenests，seesthefirsttravellerarrive。Onmyreturn，inthecourseoftheevening，twootherscomeback。Total：threehomeonthesameday，outoftenscatteredabroad。
　　Iresumetheexperimentnextmorning。ImarktenMason-beeswithred，whichwillenablemetodistinguishthemfromthosewhoreturnedonthedaybeforeandfromthosewhomaystillreturnwiththewhitespotuneffaced。Thesameprecautions，thesamerotations，thesamelocalitiesasonthefirstoccasion；only，Imakenorotationontheway，confiningmyselftoswingingmyboxroundonleavingandonarriving。Theinsectsarereleasedataquarterpasteleven。I
　　preferredtheforenoon，asthiswasthebusiesttimeattheworks。OneBeewasseenbyAntoniatobebackatthenestbytwentyminutespasteleven。Supposinghertobethefirstletloose，ittookherjustfiveminutestocoverthedistance。Butthereisnothingtotellmethatitisnotanother，inwhichcasesheneededless。ItisthefastestspeedthatIhavesucceededinnoting。Imyselfambackattwelveand，withinashorttime，catchthreeothers。Iseenomoreduringtherestoftheevening。Total：fourhome，outoften。
　　The4thofMayisaverybright，calm，warmday，weatherhighlypropitiousformyexperiments。ItakefiftyChalicodomaemarkedwithblue。Thedistancetobetravelledremainsthesame。ImakethefirstrotationaftercarryingmyinsectsafewhundredstepsinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichIfinallytake；inaddition，threerotationsontheroad；afifthrotationattheplacewheretheyaresetfree。Iftheydonotlosetheirbearingsthistime，itwillnotbeforlackoftwistingandturning。Ibegintoopenmyscrewsofpaperattwentyminutespastnine。Itisratherearly，forwhichreasonmyBees，onrecoveringtheirliberty，remainforamomentundecidedandlazy；but，afterashortsunbathonastonewhereIplacethem，theytakewing。Iamsittingontheground，facingthesouth，withSerignanonmyleftandPiolenconmyright。Whentheflightisnottooswifttoallowmetoperceivethedirectiontaken，Iseemyreleasedcaptivesdisappeartomyleft。Afew，butonlyafew，gosouth；twoorthreegowest，ortorightofme。Idonotspeakofthenorth，againstwhichIactasascreen。Alltold，thegreatmajoritytaketheleft，thatistosay，thedirectionofthenest。Thelastisreleasedattwentyminutestoten。Oneofthefiftytravellershaslosthermarkinthepaperbag。Ideductherfromthetotal，leavingforty-nine。
　　AccordingtoAntonia，whowatchesthehome-coming，theearliestarrivalsappearedattwenty-fiveminutestoten，sayfifteenminutesafterthefirstwassetfree。Bytwelveo’clockmid-day，thereareelevenback；and，byfouro’clockintheevening，seventeen。Thatendsthecensus。Total：seventeen，outofforty-nine。
　　Iresolveduponafourthexperiment，onthe14thofMay。Theweatherisglorious，withalightnortherlybreeze。ItaketwentyMason-bees，markedinpink，ateighto’clockinthemorning。Rotationsatthestart，afterapreliminarybackinginadirectionoppositetothatwhichIintendtotake；tworotationsontheroad；afourthonarriving。AllthosewhoseflightIamabletofollowwithmyeyesturntomyleft，thatistosay，towardsSerignan。YetIhadtakencaretoleavethechoicefreebetweenthetwooppositedirections：inparticular，IhadsentawaymyDog，whowasonmyright。To-day，theBeesdonotcircleroundme：someflyawayatonce；theothers，thegreaternumber，feelinggiddyperhapsafterthepitchingofthejourneyandtherollingofthesling，alightonthegroundafewyardsaway，seemtowaituntiltheyaresomewhatrecoveredandthenflyofftotheleft。Iperceivedthistobethegeneralflight，wheneverIwasabletoobserveatall。Iwasbackataquartertoten。TwoBeeswithpinkmarksweretherebeforeme，ofwhomonewasengagedinbuilding，withherpelletofmortarinhermandibles。Byoneo’clockintheafternoonthereweresevenarrivals；Isawnomoreduringtherestoftheday。Total：sevenoutoftwenty。
　　Letusbesatisfiedwiththis：theexperimenthasbeenrepeatedoftenenough，butitdoesnotconcludeasDarwinhoped，asImyselfhoped，especiallyafterwhatIhadbeentoldabouttheCat。Invain，adoptingtheadvicegiven，doIcarrymyinsectsfirstintheoppositedirectiontotheplaceatwhichIintendtoreleasethem；invain，whenabouttoretracemysteps，doItwirlmyslingwitheverycomplicationinthewayofwhirlsandtwiststhatIamabletoimagine；invain，thinkingtoincreasethedifficulties，doIrepeattherotationasoftenasfivetimesover：atthestart，ontheroad，onarriving；itmakesnodifference：theMason-beesreturn；andtheproportionofreturnsonthesamedayfluctuatesbetweenthirtyandfortypercent。ItgoestomyhearttoabandonanideasuggestedbysofamousamanofscienceandcherishedallthemorereadilyinasmuchasIthoughtitlikelytoprovideafinalsolution。Thefactsarethere，moreeloquentthananynumberofingeniousviews；andtheproblemremainsasmysteriousasever。
　　Inthefollowingyear，1881，Ibeganexperimentingagain，butinadifferentway。Hitherto，Ihadworkedonthelevel。Toreturntothenest，mylostBeeshadonlytocrossslightobstacles，thehedgesandspinneysofthetilledfields。To-day，Iproposetoaddtothedifficultiesofdistancethoseofthegroundtobetraversed。
　　Discontinuingallmybacking-andwhirling-tactics，thingswhichI
　　recognizeasuseless，IthinkofreleasingmyChalicodomaeinthethickoftheSerignanWoods。Howwilltheyescapefromthatlabyrinth，where，intheearlydays，Ineededacompasstofindmyway？Moreover，Ishallhaveanassistantwithme，apairofeyesyoungerthanmineandbetter-fittedtofollowmyinsects’firstflight。Thatimmediatestartinthedirectionofthenesthasalreadybeenrepeatedveryoftenandisbeginningtointerestmemorethanthereturnitself。A
　　pharmaceuticalstudent，spendingafewdayswithmyparents，shallbemyeyewitness。Withhim，Ishallfeelatease；scienceandhearenostrangers。
　　Thetriptothewoodstakesplaceonthe16thofMay。Theweatherishotandhintsatacomingstorm。Thereisaperceptiblebreezefromthesouth，butnotenoughtoupsetmytravellers。FortyMason-beesarecaught。Toshortenthepreparations，becauseofthedistance，Idonotmarkthemwhiletheyareonthenests；Ishallmarkthematthestarting-point，asIreleasethem。Itistheoldmethod，prolificofstings；butIpreferitto-day，inordertosavetime。Ittakesmeanhourtoreachtheplace。Thedistance，therefore，allowingforwindings，isaboutthreemiles。
　　Thesiteselectedmustpermitmetorecognizethedirectionoftheinsects’firstflight。Ichooseaclearinginthemiddleofthecopses。Allaroundisagreatexpanseofdensewoods，shuttingoutthehorizononeveryside；onthesouth，inthedirectionofthenests，acurtainofhillsrisestoaheightofsomethreehundredfeetabovethespotatwhichIstand。Thewindisnotstrong，butitisblowingintheoppositedirectiontothatwhichmyinsectswillhavetotakeinordertoreachtheirhome。IturnmybackonSerignan，sothat，whenleavingmyfingers，theBees，toreturntothenest，willbeobligedtoflysideways，torightandleftofme；Imarktheinsectsandreleasethemonebyone。Ibeginoperationsattwentyminutespastten。
　　OnehalfoftheBeesseemratherindolent，flutteraboutforawhile，droptotheground，appeartorecovertheirspiritsandthenstartoff。Theotherhalfshowgreaterdecision。Althoughtheinsectshavetofightagainstthesoftwindthatisblowingfromthesouth，theymakestraightforthenest。Allgosouth，afterdescribingafewcircles，afewloops，aroundus。Thereisnoexceptioninthecaseofanyofthosewhosedepartureweareabletofollow。Thefactisnotedbymyselfandmycolleaguebeyonddisputeordoubt。MyMason-beesheadforthesouthasthoughsomecompasstoldthemwhichwaythewindwasblowing。
　　Iambackattwelveo’clock。Noneofthestraysisatthenest；but，afewminuteslater，Icatchtwo。Attwoo’clock，thenumberhasincreasedtonine。Butnowtheskycloudsover，thewindfreshensandthestormisapproaching。Wecannolongerrelyonanyfurtherarrivals。Total：nineoutofforty，ortwenty-twopercent。
　　Theproportionissmallerthanintheformercases，whenitvariedbetweenthirtyandfortypercent。Mustweattributethisresulttothedifficultiestobeovercome？CantheMason-beeshavelosttheirwayinthemazeoftheforest？Itissafernottogiveanopinion：
　　othercausesintervenedwhichmayhavedecreasedthenumberofthosewhoreturned。Imarkedtheinsectsatthestarting-place；Ihandledthem；andIamnotpreparedtosaythattheywereallinthebestofconditiononleavingmystungandsmartingfingers。Besides，theskyhasbecomeovercast，astormisimminent。InthemonthofMay，sovariable，sofickle，inmypartoftheworld，wecanhardlyevercountonawholedayoffineweather。Asplendidmorningisswiftlyfollowedbyafitfulafternoon；andmyexperimentswithMason-beeshaveoftensufferedbythesevariations。Allthingsconsidered，Iaminclinedtothinkthatthehomewardjourneyacrosstheforestandthemountainiseffectedjustasreadilyasacrossthecorn-fieldsandtheplain。
　　IhaveonelastresourceleftwherebytotryandputmyBeesoutoftheirlatitude。Iwillfirsttakethemtoagreatdistance；then，describingawidecurve，IwillreturnbyanotherroadandreleasemycaptiveswhenIamnearenoughtothevillage，say，abouttwomiles。A
　　conveyanceisnecessary，thistime。Mycollaboratorofthedayinthewoodsoffersmetheuseofhisgig。Thetwoofussetoff，withfifteenMason-bees，alongtheroadtoOrange，untilwecometotheviaduct。Here，ontheright，isthestraightribbonoftheoldRomanroad，theViaDomitia。Wetakeit，drivingnorthtowardstheUchauxMountains，theclassichomeofsuperbTuronianfossils。WenextturnbacktowardsSerignan，bythePiolencRoad。AhaltismadebythestretchofcountryknownasFont-Claire，thedistancefromwhichtothevillageisaboutonemileandfivefurlongs。Thereadercaneasilyfollowmyrouteontheordnance-surveymap；andhewillseethattheloopdescribedmeasuresnotfarshortoffivemilesandahalf。
　　Atthesametime，FaviercameandjoinedmeatFont-Claire，bythedirectroad，theonethatrunsthroughPiolenc。HebroughtwithhimfifteenMason-bees，intendedforpurposesofcomparisonwithmine。I
　　amthereforeinpossessionoftwosetsofinsects。Fifteen，markedinpink，havetakenthefive-milebend；fifteen，markedinblue，havecomebythestraightroad，theshortestroadforreturningtothenest。Theweatheriswarm，exceedinglybrightandverycalm；Icouldnothopeforabetterdayformyexperiment。Theinsectsaregiventheirfreedomatmid-day。
　　Atfiveo’clock，thearrivalsnumbersevenofthepinkMason-bees，whomIthoughtthatIhadbewilderedbyalongandcircuitousdrive，andsixoftheblueMason-bees，whocametoFont-Clairebythedirectroute。Thetwoproportions，forty-sixandfortypercent。，arealmostequal；andtheslightexcessinfavouroftheinsectsthatwenttheroundaboutwayisevidentlyanaccidentalresultwhichweneednottakeintoconsideration。Thebenddescribedcannothavehelpedthemtofindtheirwayhome；butithasalsocertainlynothamperedthem。
　　Thereisnoneedoffurtherproof。TheintricatemovementsofarotationsuchasIhavedescribed；theobstacleofhillsandwoods；
　　thepitfallsofaroadwhichmoveson，movesbackandreturnsaftermakingawidecircuit：noneoftheseisabletodisconcerttheChalicodomaeorpreventthemfromgoingbacktothenest。
　　IhadwrittentoCharlesDarwintellinghimofmyfirst，negativeresults，thoseobtainedbyswingingtheBeesinabox。Heexpectedasuccessandwasmuchsurprisedatthefailure。HadhehadtimetoexperimentwithhisPigeons，theywouldhavebehavedjustlikemyBees；thepreliminarytwirlingwouldnothaveaffectedthem。Theproblemcalledforanothermethod；andwhatheproposedwasthis：
　　’Toplacetheinsectwithinaninductioncoil，soastodisturbanymagneticordiamagneticsensibilitywhichitseemsjustpossiblethattheymaypossess。’
　　Totreataninsectasyouwouldamagneticneedleandtosubjectittothecurrentfromaninductioncoilinordertodisturbitsmagnetismordiamagnetismappearedtome，Imustconfess，acuriousnotion，worthyofanimaginationinthelastditch。Ihavebutlittleconfidenceinourphysics，whentheypretendtoexplainlife；
　　nevertheless，myrespectforthegreatmanwouldhavemademeresorttotheinduction-coils，ifIhadpossessedthenecessaryapparatus。
　　Butmyvillageboastsnoscientificresources：ifIwantanelectricspark，Iamreducedtorubbingasheetofpaperonmyknees。Myphysicscupboardcontainsamagnet；andthatisaboutall。Whenthispenurywasrealised，anothermethodwassuggested，simplerthanthefirstandmorecertaininitsresults，asDarwinhimselfconsidered：
　　’Tomakeaverythinneedleintoamagnet；thenbreakingitintoveryshortpieces，whichwouldstillbemagnetic，andfasteningoneofthesepieceswithsomecementonthethoraxoftheinsectstobeexperimentedon。Ibelievethatsuchalittlemagnet，fromitscloseproximitytothenervoussystemoftheinsect，wouldaffectitmorethanwouldtheterrestrialcurrents。’
　　Thereisstillthesameideaofturningtheinsectintoasortofbarmagnet。Theterrestrialcurrentsguideitwhenreturningtothenest。
　　Itbecomesalivingcompasswhich，withdrawnfromtheactionoftheearthbytheproximityofaloadstone，losesitssenseofdirection。
　　Withatinymagnetfastenedonitsthorax，parallelwiththenervoussystemandmorepowerfulthantheterrestrialmagnetismbyreasonofitscomparativenearness，theinsectwillloseitsbearings。
　　Naturally，insettingdowntheselines，Itakeshelterbehindthemightyreputationofthelearnedbegetteroftheidea。Itwouldnotbeacceptedasseriouscomingfromahumblepersonlikemyself。Obscuritycannotaffordtheseaudacioustheories。
　　Theexperimentseemseasy；itisnotbeyondthemeansatmydisposal。
　　Letusattemptit。Imagnetiseaveryfineneedlebyrubbingitwithmybarmagnet；Iretainonlytheslenderestpart，thepoint，somefiveorsixmillimetreslong。（。2to。23inch。——Translator’sNote。）Thisbrokenpieceisaperfectmagnet：itattractsandrepelsanothermagnetisedneedlehangingfromathread。Iamalittlepuzzledastothebestwaytofastenitontheinsect’sthorax。Myassistantofthemoment，thepharmaceuticalstudent，requisitionsalltheadhesivesinhislaboratory。Thebestisasortofcereclothwhichhepreparesspeciallywithaveryfinematerial。Itpossessestheadvantagethatitcanbesoftenedatthebowlofone’spipewhenthetimecomestooperateoutofdoors。
　　IcutoutofthiscereclothasmallsquarethesizeoftheBee’sthorax；andIinsertthemagnetisedpointthroughafewthreadsofthematerial。AllthatwenowhavetodoistosoftenthegumalittleandthendabthethingatonceontheMason-bee’sback，sothatthebrokenneedlerunsparallelwiththespine。Otherenginesofthesamekindarepreparedandduenotetakenoftheirpoles，soastoenablemetopointthesouthpoleattheinsect’sheadinsomecasesandattheoppositeendinothers。
　　MyassistantandIbeginbyrehearsingtheperformance；wemusthavealittlepracticebeforetryingtheexperimentawayfromhome。Besides，Iwanttoseehowtheinsectwillbehaveinitsmagneticharness。I
　　takeaMason-beeatworkinhercell，whichImark。Icarryhertomystudy，attheotherendofthehouse。Themagnetisedoutfitisfastenedonthethorax；andtheinsectisletgo。Themomentsheisfree，theBeedropstothegroundandrollsabout，likeamadthing，ontheflooroftheroom。Sheresumesherflight，flopsdownagain，turnsoveronherside，onherback，knocksagainstthethingsinherway，buzzesnoisily，flingsherselfaboutdesperatelyandendsbydartingthroughtheopenwindowinheadlongflight。
　　Whatdoesitallmean？Themagnetappearstohaveacuriouseffectonmypatient’ssystem！Whatafussshemakes！Howterrifiedsheis！TheBeeseemedutterlydistraughtatlosingherbearingsundertheinfluenceofmyknavishtricks。Letusgotothenestsandseewhathappens。Wehavenotlongtowait：myinsectreturns，butridofitsmagnetictackle。Irecognizeitbythetracesofgumthatstillclingtothehairofthethorax。Itgoesbacktoitscellandresumesitslabours。
　　Alwaysonmyguardwhensearchingtheunknown，unwillingtodrawconclusionsbeforeweighingtheargumentsforandagainst，IfeeldoubtcreepinginuponmewithregardtowhatIhaveseen。WasitreallythemagneticinfluencethatdisturbedmyBeesostrangely？Whenshestruggledandkickedonthefloor，fightingwildlywithbothlegsandwings，whenshefledinterror，wassheundertheswayofthemagnetfastenedonherback？Canmyappliancehavethwartedtheguidinginfluenceoftheterrestrialcurrentsonhernervoussystem？
　　Orwasherdistressmerelytheresultofanunwontedharness？Thisiswhatremainstobeseenandthatwithoutdelay。
　　Iconstructanewapparatus，butprovideitwithashortstrawinplaceofthemagnet。Theinsectcarryingitonitsbackrollsontheground，kicksandflingsherselfaboutlikethefirst，untiltheirksomecontrivanceisremoved，takingwithitapartofthefuronthethorax。Thestrawproducesthesameeffectsasthemagnet，inotherwords，magnetismhadnothingtodowithwhathappened。Myinvention，inbothcasesalike，isacumbroustackleofwhichtheBeetriestoridherselfatoncebyeverypossiblemeans。Tolooktoherfornormalactionssolongasshecarriesanapparatus，magnetizedornot，uponherbackisthesameasexpectingtostudythenaturalhabitsofaDogaftertyingakettletohistail。
　　Theexperimentwiththemagnetisimpracticable。Whatwouldittellusiftheinsectconsentedtoit？Inmyopinion，itwouldtellusnothing。Inthematterofthehominginstinct，amagnetwouldhavenomoreinfluencethanabitofstraw。
　　CHAPTER5。THESTORYOFMYCATS。
　　Ifthisswinging-processfailsentirelywhenitsobjectistomaketheinsectloseitsbearings，whatinfluencecanithaveupontheCat？Isthemethodofwhirlingtheanimalroundinabag，topreventitsreturn，worthyofconfidence？Ibelievedinitatfirst，soclose-
　　alliedwasittothehopefulideasuggestedbythegreatDarwin。Butmyfaithisnowshaken：myexperiencewiththeinsectmakesmedoubtfuloftheCat。Iftheformerreturnsafterbeingwhirled，whyshouldnotthelatter？Ithereforeembarkuponfreshexperiments。
　　And，firstofall，towhatextentdoestheCatdeservehisreputationofbeingabletoreturntothebelovedhome，tothescenesofhisamorousexploitsonthetilesandinthehay-lofts？Themostcuriousfactsaretoldofhisinstinct；children’sbooksonnaturalhistoryaboundwithfeatsthatdothegreatestcredittohisprowessasapilgrim。Idonotattachmuchimportancetothesestories：theycomefromcasualobservers，uncriticalfolkgiventoexaggeration。Itisnoteverybodywhocantalkaboutanimalscorrectly。Whensomeonenotofthecraftgetsonthesubjectandsaystome，’Suchorsuchananimalisblack，’Ibeginbyfindingoutifitdoesnothappentobewhite；andmanyatimethetruthisdiscoveredintheconverseproposition。MencometomeandsingthepraisesoftheCatasatravelling-expert。Wellandgood：wewillnowlookupontheCatasapoortraveller。AndthatwouldbetheextentofmyknowledgeifIhadonlytheevidenceofbooksandofpeopleunaccustomedtothescruplesofscientificexamination。Fortunately，Iamacquaintedwithafewincidentsthatwillstandthetestofmyincredulity。TheCatreallydeserveshisreputationasadiscerningpilgrim。Letusrelatetheseincidents。
　　Oneday——itwasatAvignon——thereappeareduponthegarden-wallawretched-lookingCat，withmattedcoatandprotrudingribs，sothinthathisbackwasamerejaggedridge。Hewasmewingwithhunger。Mychildren，atthattimeveryyoung，tookpityonhismisery。Breadsoakedinmilkwasofferedhimattheendofareed。Hetookit。Andthemouthfulssucceededoneanothertosuchgoodpurposethathewassatedandwentoff，heedlessofthe’Puss！Puss！’ofhiscompassionatefriends。Hungerreturned；andthestarvelingreappearedinhiswall-
　　toprefectory。Hereceivedthesamefareofbreadsoakedinmilk，thesamesoftwords。Heallowedhimselftobetempted。Hecamedownfromthewall。Thechildrenwereabletostrokehisback。Goodness，howthinhewas！
　　Itwasthegreattopicofconversation。Wediscusseditattable：wewouldtamethevagabond，wewouldkeephim，wewouldmakehimabedofhay。Itwasamostimportantmatter：Icanseetothisday，IshallalwaysseethecouncilofrattleheadsdeliberatingontheCat’sfate。
　　Theywerenotsatisfieduntilthesavageanimalremained。SoonhegrewintoamagnificentTom。Hislargeroundhead，hismuscularlegs，hisreddishfur，fleckedwithdarkerpatches，remindedoneofalittlejaguar。HewaschristenedGingerbecauseofhistawnyhue。Amatejoinedhimlater，pickedupinalmostsimilarcircumstances。SuchwastheoriginofmyseriesofGingers，whichIhaveretainedforlittleshortoftwentyyearsthroughthevicissitudesofmyvariousremovals。
　　Thefirstoftheseremovalstookplacein1870。Alittleearlier，aministerwhohasleftalastingmemoryintheUniversity，thatfineman，VictorDuruy（JeanVictorDuruy（1811-1894），authorofanumberofhistoricalworks，includingawell-known"HistoiredesRomains"，andministerofpublicinstructionunderNapoleonIII。from1863to1869。Cf。"TheLifeoftheFly"：chapter20。——Translator’sNote。），hadinstitutedclassesforthesecondaryeducationofgirls。Thiswasthebeginning，asfaraswasthenpossible，oftheburningquestionofto-day。Iverygladlylentmyhumbleaidtothislabouroflight。I
　　wasputtoteachphysicalandnaturalscience。Ihadfaithandwasnotsparingofwork，withtheresultthatIrarelyfacedamoreattentiveorinterestedaudience。Thedaysonwhichthelessonsfellwerered-
　　letterdays，especiallywhenthelessonwasbotanyandthetabledisappearedfromviewunderthetreasuresoftheneighbouringconservatories。
　　Thatwasgoingtoofar。Infact，youcanseehowheinousmycrimewas：
　　Itaughtthoseyoungpersonswhatairandwaterare；whencethelightningcomesandthethunder；bywhatdeviceourthoughtsaretransmittedacrosstheseasandcontinentsbymeansofametalwire；
　　whyfireburnsandwhywebreathe；howaseedputsforthshootsandhowaflowerblossoms：alleminentlyhatefulthingsintheeyesofsomepeople，whosefeebleeyesaredazzledbythelightofday。
　　Thelittlelampmustbeputoutasquicklyaspossibleandmeasurestakentogetridoftheofficiouspersonwhostrovetokeepitalight。
　　Theschemewasdarklyplottedwiththeoldmaidswhoownedmyhouseandwhosawtheabominationofdesolationintheseneweducationalmethods。Ihadnowrittenagreementtoprotectme。Thebailiffappearedwithanoticeonstampedpaper。ItbaldlyinformedthatI
　　mustmoveoutwithinfourweeksfromdate，failingwhichthelawwouldturnmygoodsandchattelsintothestreet。Ihadhurriedlytoprovidemyselfwithadwelling。ThefirsthousewhichwefoundhappenedtobeatOrange。ThuswasmyexodusfromAvignoneffected。
　　WeweresomewhatanxiousaboutthemovingoftheCats。Wewereallofusattachedtothemandshouldhavethoughtitnothingshortofcriminaltoabandonthepoorcreatures，whomwehadsooftenpetted，todistressandprobablytothoughtlesspersecution。Theshesandthekittenswouldtravelwithoutanytrouble：allyouhavetodoistoputtheminabasket；theywillkeepquietonthejourney。ButtheoldTom-catswereaseriousproblem。Ihadtwo：theheadofthefamily，thepatriarch；andoneofhisdescendants，quiteasstrongashimself。
　　Wedecidedtotakethegrandsire，ifheconsentedtocome，andtoleavethegrandsonbehind，afterfindinghimahome。
　　MyfriendDr。Loriolofferedtotakechargeoftheforsakenone。Theanimalwascarriedtohimatnightfallinaclosedhamper。Hardlywereweseatedattheevening-meal，talkingofthegoodfortuneofourTom-
　　cat，whenwesawadrippingmassjumpthroughthewindow。Theshapelessbundlecameandrubbeditselfagainstourlegs，purringwithhappiness。ItwastheCat。
　　Ilearnthisstorynextday。OnarrivingatDr。Loriol’s，hewaslockedupinabedroom。Themomenthesawhimselfaprisonerintheunfamiliarroom，hebegantojumpaboutwildlyonthefurniture，againstthewindow-panes，amongtheornamentsonthemantelpiece，threateningtomakeshortworkofeverything。Mme。Loriolwasfrightenedbythelittlelunatic；shehastenedtoopenthewindow；andtheCatleaptoutamongthepassers-by。Afewminuteslater，hewasbackathome。Anditwasnoeasymatter：hehadtocrossthetownalmostfromendtoend；hehadtomakehiswaythroughalonglabyrinthofcrowdedstreets，amidathousanddangers，includingfirstboysandnextdogs；lastly——andthisperhapswasanevenmoreseriousobstacle——hehadtopassovertheSorgue，ariverrunningthroughAvignon。Therewerebridgesathand，many，infact；buttheanimal，takingtheshortestcut，hadusednoneofthem，bravelyjumpingintothewater，asitsstreamingfurshowed。IhadpityonthepoorCat，sofaithfultohishome。Weagreedtodoourutmosttotakehimwithus。
　　Weweresparedtheworry：afewdayslater，hewasfoundlyingstiffandstarkunderashrubinthegarden。Thepluckyanimalhadfallenavictimtosomestupidactofspite。Someonehadpoisonedhimforme。
　　Who？Itisnotlikelythatitwasafriend！
　　ThereremainedtheoldCat。Hewasnotindoorswhenwestarted；hewasprowlingroundthehay-loftsoftheneighbourhood。ThecarrierwaspromisedanextratenfrancsifhebroughttheCattoOrangewithoneoftheloadswhichhehadstilltoconvey。Onhislastjourneyhebroughthimstowedawayunderthedriver’sseat。IscarcelyknewmyoldTomwhenweopenedthemovingprisoninwhichhehadbeenconfinedsincethedaybefore。Hecameoutlookingamostalarmingbeast，scratchingandspitting，withbristlinghair，bloodshoteyes，lipswhitewithfoam。Ithoughthimmadandwatchedhimcloselyforatime。
　　Iwaswrong：itwasmerelythefrightofabewilderedanimal。Hadtherebeentroublewiththecarrierwhenhewascaught？Didhehaveabadtimeonthejourney？Historyissilentonbothpoints。WhatIdoknowisthattheverynatureoftheCatseemedchanged：therewasnomorefriendlypurring，nomorerubbingagainstourlegs；nothingbutawildexpressionandthedeepestgloom。Kindtreatmentcouldnotsoothehim。Forafewweekslonger，hedraggedhiswretchedexistencefromcornertocorner；then，oneday，Ifoundhimlyingdeadintheashesonthehearth。Grief，withthehelpofoldage，hadkilledhim。WouldhehavegonebacktoAvignon，hadhehadthestrength？Iwouldnotventuretoaffirmit。But，atleast，Ithinkitveryremarkablethatananimalshouldletitselfdieofhome-sicknessbecausetheinfirmitiesofagepreventitfromreturningtoitsoldhaunts。
　　Whatthepatriarchcouldnotattempt，weshallseeanotherdo，overamuchshorterdistance，Iadmit。Afreshmoveisresolvedupon，thatI
　　mayhave，atlength，thepeaceandquietessentialtomywork。Thistime，Ihopethatitwillbethelast。IleaveOrangeforSerignan。
　　ThefamilyofGingershasbeenrenewed：theoldoneshavepassedaway，newoneshavecome，includingafull-grownTom，worthyinallrespectsofhisancestors。Healonewillgiveussomedifficulty；theothers，thebabiesandthemothers，canberemovedwithouttrouble。Weputthemintobaskets。TheTomhasonetohimself，sothatthepeacemaybekept。Thejourneyismadebycarriage，incompanywithmyfamily。
　　Nothingstrikinghappensbeforeourarrival。Releasedfromtheirhampers，thefemalesinspectthenewhome，exploretheroomsonebyone；withtheirpinknosestheyrecognizethefurniture：theyfindtheirownseats，theirowntables，theirownarm-chairs；butthesurroundingsaredifferent。Theygivelittlesurprisedmiaowsandquestioningglances。Afewcaressesandasaucerofmilkallayalltheirapprehensions；and，bythenextday，themotherCatsareacclimatised。
　　ItisadifferentmatterwiththeTom。Wehousehimintheattics，wherehewillfindampleroomforhiscapers；wekeephimcompany，torelievethewearinessofcaptivity；wetakehimadoubleportionofplatestolick；fromtimetotime，weplacehimintouchwithsomeofhisfamily，toshowhimthatheisnotaloneinthehouse；wepayhimahostofattentions，inthehopeofmakinghimforgetOrange。Heappears，infact，toforgetit：heisgentleunderthehandthatpetshim，hecomeswhencalled，purrs，archeshisback。Itiswell：aweekofseclusionandkindlytreatmenthavebanishedallnotionsofreturning。Letusgivehimhisliberty。Hegoesdowntothekitchen，standsbythetableliketheothers，goesoutintothegarden，underthewatchfuleyeofAglae，whodoesnotlosesightofhim；heprowlsallaroundwiththemostinnocentair。Hecomesback。Victory！TheTom-catwillnotrunaway。
　　Nextmorning：
　　’Puss！Puss！’
　　Notasignofhim！Wehunt，wecall。Nothing。Oh，thehypocrite，thehypocrite！Howhehastrickedus！Hehasgone，heisatOrange。Noneofthoseaboutmecanbelieveinthisventuresomepilgrimage。I
　　declarethatthedeserterisatthismomentatOrangemewingoutsidetheemptyhouse。
　　AglaeandClairewenttoOrange。TheyfoundtheCat，asIsaidtheywould，andbroughthimbackinahamper。Hispawsandbellywerecoveredwithredclay；andyettheweatherwasdry，therewasnomud。
　　TheCat，therefore，musthavegotwetcrossingtheAyguestorrent；andthemoistfurhadkepttheredearthofthefieldsthroughwhichhepassed。ThedistancefromSerignantoOrange，inastraightline，isfourandahalfmiles。TherearetwobridgesovertheAygues，oneaboveandonebelowthatline，somedistanceaway。TheCattookneithertheonenortheother：hisinstincttoldhimtheshortestroadandhefollowedthatroad，ashisbelly，coveredwithredmud，proved。
　　HecrossedthetorrentinMay，atatimewhentheriversrunhigh；heovercamehisrepugnancetowaterinordertoreturntohisbelovedhome。TheAvignonTomdidthesamewhencrossingtheSorgue。
　　ThedeserterwasreinstatedinhisatticatSerignan。Hestayedthereforafortnight；andatlastwelethimout。Twenty-fourhourshadnotelapsedbeforehewasbackatOrange。Wehadtoabandonhimtohisunhappyfate。Aneighbourlivingoutinthecountry，nearmyformerhouse，toldmethathesawhimonedayhidingbehindahedgewitharabbitinhismouth。Oncenolongerprovidedwithfood，he，accustomedtoallthesweetsofaCat’sexistence，turnedpoacher，takingtollofthefarm-yardsroundaboutmyoldhome。Iheardnomoreofhim。Hecametoabadend，nodoubt：hehadbecomearobberandmusthavemetwitharobber’sfate。
　　Theexperimenthasbeenmadeandhereistheconclusion，twiceproved。
　　Full-grownCatscanfindtheirwayhome，inspiteofthedistanceandtheircompleteignoranceoftheinterveningground。Theyhave，intheirownfashion，theinstinctofmyMason-bees。Asecondpointremainstobeclearedup，thatoftheswingingmotioninthebag。Aretheythrownoutoftheirlatitudebythisstratagem，areortheynot？
　　Iwasthinkingofmakingsomeexperiments，whenmorepreciseinformationarrivedandtaughtmethatitwasnotnecessary。Thefirstwhoacquaintedmewiththemethodoftherevolvingbagwastellingthestorytoldhimbyasecondperson，whorepeatedthestoryofathird，astoryrelatedontheauthorityofafourth；andsoon。Nonehadtriedit，nonehadseenitforhimself。Itisatraditionofthecountry-side。Oneandallextolitasaninfalliblemethod，without，forthemostpart，havingattemptedit。Andthereasonwhichtheygiveforitssuccessis，intheireyes，conclusive。If，saythey，weourselvesareblind-foldedandthenspinroundforafewseconds，wenolongerknowwhereweare。EvensowiththeCatcarriedoffinthedarknessoftheswingingbag。Theyarguefrommantotheanimal，justasothersarguefromtheanimaltoman：afaultymethodineithercase，iftherereallybetwodistinctpsychicworlds。
　　Thebeliefwouldnotbesodeep-rootedinthepeasant’smind，iffactshadnotfromtimetotimeconfirmedit。Butwemayassumethat，insuccessfulcases，theCatsmadetolosetheirbearingswereyoungandunemancipatedanimals。Withthoseneophytes，adropofmilkisenoughtodispelthegriefofexile。Theydonotreturnhome，whethertheyhavebeenwhirledinabagornot。Peoplehavethoughtitaswelltosubjectthemtothewhirlingoperationbywayofanadditionalprecaution；andthemethodhasreceivedthecreditofasuccessthathasnothingtodowithit。Inordertotestthemethodproperly，itshouldhavebeentriedonafull-grownCat，agenuineTom。
　　IdidintheendgettheevidencewhichIwantedonthispoint。
　　Intelligentandtrustworthypeople，notgiventojumpingtoconclusions，havetoldmethattheyhavetriedthetrickoftheswingingbagtokeepCatsfromreturningtotheirhomes。Noneofthemsucceededwhentheanimalwasfull-grown。Thoughcarriedtoagreatdistance，intoanotherhouse，andsubjectedtoaconscientiousseriesofrevolutions，theCatalwayscameback。IhaveinmindmoreparticularlyadestroyeroftheGoldfishinafountain，who，whentransportedfromSerignantoPiolenc，accordingtothetime-honouredmethod，returnedtohisfish；who，whencarriedintothemountainandleftinthewoods，returnedoncemore。Thebagandtheswingingroundprovedofnoavail；andthemiscreanthadtobeputtodeath。Ihaveverifiedafairnumberofsimilarinstances，allundermostfavourableconditions。Theevidenceisunanimous：therevolvingmotionneverkeepstheadultCatfromreturninghome。Thepopularbelief，whichI
　　foundsoseductiveatfirst，isacountryprejudice，baseduponimperfectobservation。Wemust，therefore，abandonDarwin’sideawhentryingtoexplainthehomingoftheCataswellasoftheMason-bee。
　　CHAPTER6。THEREDANTS。
　　ThePigeontransportedforhundredsofmilesisabletofindhiswaybacktohisDove-cot；theSwallow，returningfromhiswinterquartersinAfrica，crossestheseaandoncemoretakespossessionoftheoldnest。Whatguidesthemontheselongjourneys？Isitsight？Anobserverofsupremeintelligence，onewho，thoughsurpassedbyothersintheknowledgeofthestuffedanimalunderaglasscase，isalmostunrivalledinhisknowledgeoftheliveanimalinitswildstate，Toussenel（AlphonseToussenel（1803-1885），theauthorofanumberofinterestingandvaluableworksonornithology。——Translator’sNote。），theadmirablewriterof"L’Espritdesbetes"，speaksofsightandmeteorologyastheCarrier-pigeon’sguides：
　　’TheFrenchbird，’hesays，’knowsbyexperiencethatthecoldweathercomesfromthenorth，thehotfromthesouth，thedryfromtheeastandthewetfromthewest。Thatisenoughmeteorologicalknowledgetotellhimthecardinalpointsandtodirecthisflight。ThePigeontakeninaclosedbasketfromBrusselstoToulousehascertainlynomeansofreadingthemapoftheroutewithhiseyes；butnoonecanpreventhimfromfeeling，bythewarmthoftheatmosphere，thatheispursuingtheroadtothesouth。WhenrestoredtolibertyatToulouse，healreadyknowsthatthedirectionwhichhemustfollowtoregainhisDove-cotisthedirectionofthenorth。Thereforehewingsstraightinthatdirectionanddoesnotstopuntilhenearsthoselatitudeswherethemeantemperatureisthatofthezonewhichheinhabits。Ifhedoesnotfindhishomeatthefirstonset，itisbecausehehasbornealittletoomuchtotherightortotheleft。Inanycase，ittakeshimbutafewhours’searchinaneasterlyorwesterlydirectiontocorrecthismistake。’
　　Theexplanationisatemptingonewhenthejourneyistakennorthandsouth；butitdoesnotapplytoajourneyeastandwest，onthesameisothermalline。Besides，ithasthisdefect，thatitdoesnotadmitofgeneralization。OnecannottalkofsightandstilllessoftheinfluenceofachangeofclimatewhenaCatreturnshome，fromoneendofatowntotheother，threadinghiswaythroughalabyrinthofstreetsandalleyswhichheseesforthefirsttime。NorisitsightthatguidesmyMason-bees，especiallywhentheyareletlooseinthethickofawood。Theirlowflight，eightorninefeetabovetheground，doesnotallowthemtotakeapanoramicviewnortogatherthelieoftheland。Whatneedhavetheyoftopography？Theirhesitationisshort-lived：afterdescribingafewnarrowcirclesaroundtheexperimenter，theystartinthedirectionofthenest，despitethecoveroftheforest，despitethescreenofatallchainofhillswhichtheycrossbymountingtheslopeatnogreatheightfromtheground。
　　Sightenablesthemtoavoidobstacles，withoutgivingthemageneralideaoftheirroad。Norhasmeteorologyaughttodowiththecase：theclimatehasnotvariedinthosefewmilesoftransit。MyMason-beeshavenotlearntfromanyexperienceofheat，cold，drynessanddamp：
　　anexistenceofafewweeks’durationdoesnotallowofthis。And，eveniftheyknewallaboutthefourcardinalpoints，thereisnodifferenceinclimatebetweenthespotwheretheirnestliesandthespotatwhichtheyarereleased；sothatdoesnothelpthemtosettlethedirectioninwhichtheyaretotravel。
　　Toexplainthesemanymysteries，wearedriventhereforetoappealtoyetanothermystery，thatistosay，aspecialsensedeniedtomankind。CharlesDarwin，whoseweightyauthoritynoonewillgainsay，arrivesatthesameconclusion。Toaskiftheanimalbenotimpressedbytheterrestrialcurrents，toenquireifitbenotinfluencedbythecloseproximityofamagneticneedle：whatisthisbuttherecognitionofamagneticsense？Dowepossessasimilarfaculty？Iamspeaking，ofcourse，ofthemagnetismofthephysicistsandnotofthemagnetismoftheMesmersandCagliostros。Assuredlywepossessnothingremotelylikeit。Whatneedwouldthemarinerhaveofacompass，werehehimselfacompass？
　　Andthisiswhatthegreatscientistacknowledges：aspecialsense，soforeigntoourorganismthatwearenotabletoformaconceptionofit，guidesthePigeon，theSwallow，theCat，theMason-beeandahostofotherswhenawayfromhome。WhetherthissensebemagneticornoI
　　willnottakeuponmyselftodecide；Iamcontenttohavehelped，innosmalldegree，toestablishitsexistence。Anewsenseaddedtoournumber：whatanacquisition，whatasourceofprogress！Whyarewedeprivedofit？Itwouldhavebeenafineweaponandofgreatserviceinthestruggleforlife。If，asiscontended，thewholeoftheanimalkingdom，includingman，isderivedfromasinglemould，theoriginalcell，andbecomesself-evolvedinthecourseoftime，favouringthebest-endowedandleavingthelesswell-endowedtoperish，howcomesitthatthiswonderfulsenseistheportionofahumblefewandthatithasleftnotraceinman，theculminatingachievementofthezoologicalprogression？Ourprecursorswereveryill-advisedtoletsomagnificentaninheritancego：itwasbetterworthkeepingthanavertebraofthecoccyxorahairofthemoustache。