Fabre's Writings 



And, as though to increase this prodigious 

 contrast, it often happens that the most re- 

 markable instincts are allotted to the smallest 

 and most despised of insects: 



Among the insects it is often the case that one 

 well known to all is a mere simpleton, while an- 

 other, unknown, has real capacity. Endowed with 

 talents worthy of attention, it remains misunder- 

 stood; rich in costume and imposing in deportment, 

 it is familiar to us. We judge it by its coat and 

 its size, as we judge our neighbour by the fineness 

 of his clothes and the place which he occupies. The 

 rest does not count. 



Certainly, in order to deserve historical honours, 

 it is as well that the insect should possess a popu- 

 lar reputation. It reassures the reader, who is at 

 once precisely informed; further, it shortens the 

 narrative, rids it of long and tedious descriptions. 

 On the other hand, if size facilitates observation, 

 if grace of form and brilliance of costume captivate 

 the eye, we should do wrong not to take this out- 

 ward show into account. 



But far more important are the habits, the in- 

 genious operations, which give entomological 

 studies their serious attraction. Now it will be 

 found that among the insects the largest, the most 

 splendid, are usually inept creatures: a contradic- 

 tion which is reproduced elsewhere. What can 

 we expect from a Carabas, all glittering with metal- 

 lic lights? Nothing but feasting in the slime of 



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