The Life of the Caterpillar 



In addition to this darkness there is the 

 difficulty of access. The house is hidden by 

 tall plane-trees; it is approached by a walk 

 thickly bordered with lilac- and rose-trees, 

 forming a sort of outer vestibule; it is pro- 

 tected against the mistral by clumps of pines 

 and screens of cypresses. Clusters of bushy 

 shrubs make a rampart a few steps away from 

 the door. It is through this tangle of 

 branches, in complete darkness, that the Great 

 Peacock has to tack about to reach the ob- 

 ject of his pilgrimage. 



Under such conditions, the Brown Owl 

 would not dare leave the hole in his olive- 

 tree. The Moth, better-endowed with his 

 faceted optical organs than the night-bird 

 with its great eyes, goes forward without 

 hesitating and passes through without knock- 

 ing against things. He directs his tortuous 

 flight so skilfully that, despite the obstacles 

 overcome, he arrives in a state of perfect 

 freshness, with his big wings intact, with not 

 a scratch upon him. The darkness is light 

 enough for him. 



Even if we grant that it perceives certain 

 rays unknown to common retinae, this extra- 

 ordinary power of sight cannot be what 

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