The Life of Jean Henri Fabre 



grown blind, studied bees through the meditation 

 of a sharp-sighted and devoted servant. 1 am bet- 

 ter off than the great Swiss naturalist. My own 

 sight, which is still pretty good, although a good 

 deal fatigued, is assisted by the sharp-sighted eyes 

 of my whole family. If I am still able to pursue 

 my investigations I owe it to them; let me thank 

 them duly!" 1 



This man must be something of a sorcerer, 

 and his science must have something of magic 

 in it, thus to mobilise his wife and children 

 around the burrow of an insect; to keep them 

 there a whole morning without recking of 

 the heat and fatigue, and to bring them to 

 their hands and knees before the apparition 

 of a Dung-beetle. 



This magic power of entomology, or let 

 us rather say this demoniacal proselytism of 

 the entomologist in favour of his beloved 

 science, was exerted not only upon his family, 

 but upon all persons liable to be subjected 

 to his influence or capable of serving his 

 projects. 



It was upon children that he fixed his 

 choice in the first place. Fabre had always 

 made children so welcome, had always treat- 

 ed them so graciously, that he was assured 

 beforehand of their enthusiastic support of 



1 Souvenirs, x., p. ill. 



264 



