LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF 239 



ulterior activity, a sort of ghost preventing all definite 

 conclusions in problems connected with the absence 

 or presence of microbes. The last word on natural 

 death, he said, will only be spoken when, owing to 

 the improvement of the microscope, those microbes 

 which are as yet invisible to us will become visible. 

 Nevertheless, as far as can be judged at present, the 

 death of the Bombyx mori is due, not to external 

 causes, but to the structure of the insect itself, and is 

 therefore a natural death. 



During these holidays, Metchnikofi also wrote 

 reminiscences of his friend the physiologist Setche- 

 nofi. 1 



We went quietly for fairly long walks ; Metchni- 

 koff rested on the shores of his favourite lake (Vilpert), 

 and his health was very satisfactory. 



After the intense heat, some rain came and the 

 weather became ideal ; there was a perceptible 

 lull in nature ; the underwood was becoming purple 

 with heather ; the corn was ripening ; harvest had 

 begun, and sheaves stood up in the fields. All was 

 calm and peaceful ; we never tired of the charm 

 of the forest, of the fields, of the beautiful rustic 

 surroundings, and our souls sang in unison with 

 Nature. . . . 



Suddenly, like a flash of lightning in the pure sky, 

 the news of the war burst out ! 



The possibility had so often been mentioned in 

 late years that no one believed in it. Even now, on 

 the eve of the catastrophe, it was hoped that all 

 would settle down. . . . 



Until the last moment Metchnikofi refused to 

 believe in it ; he could not admit that a pacific 



1 In the Russian Review, Messenger of Europe. 



