The Processionary : Meteorology 



transversal gash, a sort of thick-lipped mouth, 

 which opens and gapes wide at the caterpil- 

 lar's will, or closes without leaving a visible 

 trace. 



From each of these expanding mouths rises 

 a tumour with a fine, colourless skin, as though 

 the creature were exposing its tender inside 

 and inflating it, for the appearance is almost 

 that which would be presented by the viscera 

 protruding through skin incised by the scalpel. 

 Two large dark-brown dots occupy the front 

 face of the protuberance. At the back are 

 two short, flat tufts of russet bristles, which 

 in the sunlight shine with a rich brilliancy. 

 All around is a radiating border of long white 

 hairs, spread almost flat. 



This protuberance is extremely sensitive. 

 At the slightest irritation it goes in again and 

 disappears under the dark integument. In its 

 place opens an oval crater, a sort of huge 

 stoma, which swiftly brings its lips together, 

 closes and entirely disappears. The long 

 white hairs that form a moustache and im- 

 perial around this mouth follow the move- 

 ments of the contracting lips. After first 

 radiating from a centre and lying flat, these 

 hairs rise like levelled wheat which the wind 



