THE PINE PROCESSIONARY 141 



little farther on. At one part of the circuit, therefore, 

 the procession walks on the lower surface of the rim; 

 and this inverted position implies so little discomfort or 

 danger that it is renewed at each turn for all the cater- 

 pillars from first to last. 



It is out of the question then to suggest the dread of 

 a false step on the edge of the rim which is so nimbly 

 turned at each point of inflexion. The caterpillars in 

 distress, starved, shelterless, chilled with cold at night, 

 cling obstinately to the silk ribbon covered hundreds of 

 times because they lack the rudimentary glimmers of 

 reason which would advise them to abandon it. 



Experience and reflection are not in their province. 

 The ordeal of a five hundred yards' march and three to 

 four hundred turns teach them nothing; and it takes 

 casual circumstances to bring them back to the nest. 

 They would perish on their insidious ribbon if the dis- 

 order of the nocturnal encampments and the halts due 

 to fatigue did not cast a few threads outside the circular 

 path. Some three or four move along these trails, laid 

 without an object, stray a little way and, thanks to their 

 wanderings, prepare the descent, which is at last accom- 

 plished in short strings favored by chance. 



The school most highly honored to-day is very anxious 

 to find the origin of reason in the dregs of the animal 

 kingdom. Let me call its attention to the Pine Proces- 

 sionary. 



