The Processionary : the Moth 



trickles down from overhead and is at once 

 thrust backward by the legs. A little space 

 forms at the top of the vault; and the Moth 

 moves so much nearer to the surface. By 

 the following day, the whole column, ten 

 inches in height, will be perforated with a 

 straight, perpendicular shaft. 



Shall we now form an idea of the total 

 work performed? Let us turn the test-tube 

 upside down. The contents, as I have said, 

 will not fall out, for they have set into a 

 block; but from the tunnels bored by the 

 Moth trickles all the sand crumbled by the 

 crescents of the drill. The result is a cylin- 

 drical gallery, of the width of a lead-pencil, 

 very cleanly cut and reaching to the bottom 

 of the solid mass. 



Are you satisfied, my master? Do you 

 now perceive the great utility of the scaly 

 stairs ? Would you not say that we have here 

 a magnificent example of an instrument super- 

 latively fitted for a definite task? I share this 

 opinion, for I think, with you, that a 

 sovereign Reason has in all things coordi- 

 nated the means and the end. 



But let me tell you : we are called old- 

 fashioned, you and I ; with our conception of 



X2I 



