The Processionary: the Procession 



The aggregate distance covered, therefore, Is 

 453 metres, a good deal more than a quarter 

 of a mile, which is a great walk for these 

 little crawlers. The circumference of the vase, 

 the perimeter of the track, Is exactly i m. 35.-^ 

 Therefore the circle covered, always in the 

 same direction and always without result, 

 was described three hundred and thirty-five 

 times. 



These figures surprise me, though I am 

 already familiar with the abysmal stupidity 

 of Insects as a class whenever the least acci- 

 dent occurs. I feel Inclined to ask myself 

 whether the Processionarles were not kept up 

 there so long by the difficulties and dangers 

 of the descent rather than by the lack of any 

 gleam of Intelligence In their benighted minds. 

 The facts, however, reply that the descent Is 

 as easy as the ascent. 



The caterpillar has a very supple back, well 

 adapted for twisting round projections or slip- 

 ping underneath. He can walk with the same 

 ease vertically or horizontally, with his back 

 down or up. Besides, he never moves for- 

 ward until he has fixed his thread to the 

 ground. With this support to his feet, he 

 14 feet 5 inches. — Translator's Note. 



87 



