The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



knows no awaking. For the first time a 

 vague idea of death found its way into her 

 mind. 



Has the insect the signal honour of know- 

 ing what we do not know in our early child- 

 hood, at a time when thought is already 

 manifesting itself, far superior, however 

 feeble it be, to the dull understanding of the 

 animal? Has it the power to foresee an 

 ending, an attribute which in its case would 

 be inconvenient and useless? Before de- 

 ciding, let us consult, not the abstruse theories 

 of science, a doubtful guide, but the Turkey, 

 an eminently truthful one. 



I recall one of the most vivid memories 

 that remain to me from my brief sojourn at 

 the Royal College of Rodez. So they called 

 it then ; to-day they call it a grammar-school ; 

 what improvement as the world grows older ! 



The thrice-blessed Thursday had come; 

 our bit of translation was done, our dozen 

 Greek roots had been learnt by heart; and 

 we trooped down to the far end of the val- 

 ley, so many bands of madcaps. With our 

 trousers turned up to our knees, we exploited, 

 artless fishermen that we were, the peaceful 

 waters of the river, the Aveyron. What we 

 hoped to catch was the Loach, no bigger than 

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