The Great Peacock 



which I close the door. This gradual elimina- 

 tion will enable me to tell the exact number, 

 with no risk of counting the same Moth more 

 than once. Moreover, the temporary gaol, 

 which is spacious and bare, will in no way en- 

 danger the prisoners, who will find a quiet re- 

 treat there and plenty of room. I shall take 

 similar precautions during my subsequent in- 

 vestigations. 



At half past ten no more arrive. The sit- 

 ting is over. In all, twenty-five males have 

 been caught, of whom only one was without 

 antennae. Therefore, of the six on whom I 

 operated yesterday and who were hale 

 enough to leave my study and go back to the 

 fields, one alone has returned to the bell-jar. 

 It is a poor result, on which I dare not rely 

 when it comes to asserting or denying that 

 the antennae play a guiding part. We must 

 begin all over again, on a larger scale. 



Next morning I pay a visit to the prisoners 

 of the day before. What I see is not en- 

 couraging. Many are spread out on the 

 floor, almost lifeless. Several of them give 

 hardly a sign of life when I take them in my 

 fingers. What can I hope from these crip- 

 ples? Still, let us try. Perhaps they will 



2SS 



