The Life of the Caterpillar 



The next thing is to get rid of the rest 

 of the ascending column, which would disturb 

 the fine order of the procession by an excess 

 of newcomers; it is also important that we 

 should do away with all the silken paths, both 

 new and old, that can put the cornice into 

 communication with the ground. With a 

 thick hair-pencil I sweep away the surplus 

 climbers; with a big brush, one that leaves 

 no smell behind it for this might after- 

 wards prove confusing I carefully rub 

 down the vase and get rid of every 

 thread which the caterpillars have laid 

 on the march. When these prepara- 

 tions are finished, a curious sight awaits 

 us. 



In the uninterrupted circular procession 

 there is no longer a leader. Each caterpillar 

 is preceded by another on whose heels he fol- 

 lows, guided by the silk track, the work of 

 the whole party; he again has a companion 

 close behind him, following him in the same 

 orderly way. And this is repeated without 

 variation throughout the length of the chain. 

 None commands, or rather none modifies the 

 trail according to his fancy; all obey, trusting 

 in the guide who ought normally to lead the 



72 



