Further Observations 



become friends, fall out and make it up 

 again, in sudden and fortuitous encounters, 

 is a matter of no consequence. Life is 

 short; they enjoy it as best they may, with- 

 out being too particular. But here we have 

 the true household, enduring and laborious. 

 How is it possible to toil in double harness 

 for the welfare of the offspring without 

 mutual sympathy? We have already seen 

 the Minotaur couple recognizing each other 

 and coming together again amid the con- 

 fusion resulting from the upheaval of two 

 adjoining burrows; here we find it subject to 

 quite as sensitive a repugnance. The ill- 

 mated bride sulks; she means to get away 

 at all costs. 



As the divorce seems destined to be in- 

 definitely prolonged, despite the calls to 

 order which I repeat day after day for a 

 week by restoring the female to her burrow, 

 I end by changing the male. I replace him 

 by another, no better and no worse-look- 

 ing than was the first. Henceforth matters 

 resume their normal course and all is as well 

 as can be. The shaft is deepened, the out- 

 side mound is raised, the provisions are 

 stored away, the factory of preserved food- 

 stuffs is in full swing. 



143 



