The Life of the Caterpillar 



dition is nearly always clement. The really 

 formidable nights hardly set in before Janu- 

 ary. But then, as a safeguard in his pere- 

 grinations, the Pine Processionary cleaves his 

 back with a series of mouths which yawn open 

 to sample the air from time to time and to 

 give a warning of the sudden storm. 



Until further evidence is forthcoming, 

 therefore, the dorsal slits are, to my mind, 

 meteorological instruments, barometers in- 

 fluenced by the main fluctuations of the atmo- 

 sphere. To go beyond suspicions, though 

 these are well based, is for me impossible. I 

 lack the equipment necessary to delve more 

 deeply into the subject. But I have given a 

 hint. It is for those who are better favoured 

 in the matter of resources to find the final solu- 

 tion of this interesting problem. 



no 



