The Life of the Caterpillar 



sensitive than any of us to atmospheric 

 changes, refused to venture forth because they 

 anticipated what was about to happen? Had 

 they foreseen the rain and the snow, which 

 nothing seemed to announce, at all events to 

 us? After all, why not? Let us continue to 

 observe them and we shall see whether the 

 coincidence is fortuitous or not. 



On this memorable day, therefore, the 13th 

 of December, 1895, I institute the caterpil- 

 lars' meteorological observatory. I have at 

 my disposal absolutely none of the apparatus 

 dear to science, not even a modest ther- 

 mometer, for my unlucky star continues in the 

 ascendant, proving as unkind to-day as when 

 I learnt chemistry with pipe-bowls for cruci- 

 bles and bottles that once contained sweets for 

 retorts. I confine myself to visiting nightly 

 the Processionaries in the greenhouse and 

 those in the garden. It is a hard task, espe- 

 cially as I have to go to the far end of the 

 enclosure, often in weather when one would 

 not turn a Dog out of doors. I set down 

 the acts of the caterpillars, whether they come 

 out or stay at home; I note the state of the 

 sky during the day and at the moment of my 

 evening examination. 



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