The Life of the Caterpillar 



This time there are no weaklings incapable 

 of flight. At night, the fourteen shaven 

 Moths escape into the open. Of course the 

 place of the cage is once more changed. In 

 two hours, I capture twenty Moths, Including 

 two tonsured ones, no more. Of those who 

 lost their antennae two days ago, not one puts 

 in an appearance. Their nuptial time is over 

 for good and all. 



Only two return out of the fourteen 

 marked with a bald patch. Why do the 

 twelve others hang back, although supplied 

 with what we have assumed to be their guides, 

 their antennary plumes? Why again that 

 formidable list of defaulters, which we find 

 nearly always after a night of sequestration? 

 I perceive but one reply: the Great Peacock 

 is quickly worn out by the ardours of pairing- 

 time. 



With a view to his wedding, the one and 

 only object of his life, the Moth is gifted 

 with a wonderful prerogative. He is able to 

 discover the object of his desire in spite of 

 distance, obstacles and darkness. For two or 

 three evenings, he is allowed a few hours 

 wherein to indulge his search and his amor- 

 ous exploits. If he cannot avail himself of 



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