My Neighbour 



239 



Every time that she issues from her tubular 

 retreat or returns to it, she fixes the thread 

 that hangs behind her upon the road covered. 

 As evidence of this work, we have the direction 

 of the surface-Hnes, all of which, whether 

 straight or winding, according to the fancies 

 that guide the Spider's path, converge upon 

 the entrance of the tube. Each step taken, 

 beyond a doubt, adds a filament to the web. 



We have here the story of the Processionary 

 of the Pine,^ whose habits I have related else- 

 where. When the caterpillars leave the silk 

 pouch, to go and browse at night, and also when 

 they enter it again, they never fail to spin a 

 little on the surface of their nest. Each ex- 

 pedition adds to the thickness of the wall. 



When moving this way or that upon the 

 purse which I have split from top to bottom 

 with my scissors, the Processionaries upholster 

 the breach even as they upholster the untouched 

 part, without paying more attention to it than 

 to the rest of the wall. Caring nothing about 



^ The Processionaries are Moth-caterpillars that feed on various 

 leaves and march in file, laying a silken trail as they go. — 

 Translator's Note. 



