The Life of the Fly 



Let us watch it at work when it is unable 

 to use its favourite joist. There is no point 

 in giving it clumsy building-stones; that 

 would only bring us back to the uncouth 

 sheaths. Its propensity to make use of soaked 

 seeds, those of the iris, for instance, suggests 

 that I might try grains. I select rice, which, 

 because of its hardness, will be tantamount to 

 wood and, because of its clean whiteness and 

 its oval shape, will lend itself to artistic 

 masonry. 



Obviously, my denuded Caddis-worms 

 cannot start their work with bricks of this 

 kind. Where would they fix their first layer? 

 They must have a foundation, quick and easy 

 to build. This is once more supplied by a 

 temporary cylinder of watercress-roots. On 

 this support follow the grains of rice, which, 

 grouped one atop the other, straight or slant- 

 ing, end by giving a magnificent turret of 

 ivory. Next to the sheaths made of tiny 

 snail-shells, this is the prettiest thing with 

 which the Caddis-worm's industry has fur- 

 nished me. A fine sense of order has re- 

 turned, because the materials, regular and of 

 identical character, have cooperated with the 

 correct method of the worker. 



The two demonstrations are enough. 



198 



