Preface xiii 



which consists of spiral staircases, landings, 

 passages and numerous chambers. The male 

 loads the earth on the three-pronged fork that 

 surmounts his head and carries it to the entrance 

 of the conjugal dwelling. Next, he goes into 

 the fields in search of the harmless droppings 

 left by the sheep, takes them down to the first 

 storey of the crypt and reduces them to flour 

 with his trident, while the mother, right at the 

 bottom, collects the flour and kneads it into 

 huge cylindrical loaves, which will presently 

 be food for the little ones. For three months, 

 until the provisions are deemed sufficient, the 

 unfortunate husband, without taking nourish- 

 ment of any kind, exhausts himself in this 

 gigantic work. At last, his task accomplished, 

 feeling his end at hand, so as not to encumber 

 the house with his wretched remains, he 

 spends his last strength in leaving the burrow, 

 drags himself laboriously along and, lonely and 

 resigned, knowing that he is henceforth good 

 for^nothing, goes and dies far away among 

 the stones. 



Here, on another side, are some rather strange 

 caterpillars, the Processionaries, which are not 



