The Processionary : Meteorology 



turns late, some time after midnight, when 

 the temperature falls too low. 



Secondly, it is in the heart of winter, du- 

 ring the roughest months, that the Proces- 

 sionary displays his full activity. Tndefatiga- 

 bly at this time of year he spins, adding each 

 night a new web to his silken tent; at this 

 time, whenever the weather permits, he ven- 

 tures abroad on the neighbouring boughs to 

 feed, to grow and to renew his skein of silk. 

 By a very remarkable exception, the harsh 

 season marked by inactivity and lethargic re- 

 pose in other insects is for him the season of 

 bustle and labour, on condition, of course, 

 that the inclemencies of the weather do not 

 exceed certain limits. If the north wind blow 

 too violently, so that it is like to sweep the 

 flock away; if the cold be too piercing, so that 

 there is a risk of freezing to death; if it snow, 

 or rain, or if the mist thicken into an icy 

 drizzle, the caterpillars prudently stay at 

 home, sheltering under their weatherproof 

 tent. 



It would be convenient to some extent to 

 foresee these inclemencies. The caterpillar 

 dreads them. A drop of rain sets him in a 

 flutter; a snowflake exasperates him. To 



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