The Processionary: the Procession 



the same day, the moving circumference is 

 cut up several times into two or three sec- 

 tions; but continuity soon returns and no 

 change takes place. Things go on just the 

 same. The bold innovator who is to save the 

 situation has not yet had his inspiration. 



There is nothing new on the fourth day, 

 after an icy night like the previous one; no- 

 thing to tell except the following detail. Yes- 

 terday I did not remove the trace left by the 

 few caterpillars who made their way to the 

 inside of the vase. This trace, together with 

 a junction connecting it with the circular road, 

 is discovered in the course of the morning. 

 Half the troop takes advantage of it to visit 

 the earth in the pot and climb the palm; the 

 other half remains on the ledge and continues 

 to walk along the old rail. In the afternoon 

 the band of emigrants rejoins the others, the 

 circuit is completed and things return to their 

 original condition. 



We come to the fifth day. The night 

 frost becomes more intense, without however 

 as yet reaching the greenhouse. It is fol- 

 lowed by bright sunshine in a calm and limpid 

 sky. As soon as the sun's rays have warmed 

 the panes a little, the caterpillars, lying in 

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