CHAPTER XV 



THE SISYPHUS: THE INSTINCT OF 

 PATERNITY 



THE duties of paternity are hardly ever 

 imposed on any except the higher 

 animals. The bird excels in them; and the 

 furred folk perform them honourably. 

 Lower in the scale, the father is generally in- 

 different to his family. Very few insects 

 form exceptions to this rule. Whereas all 

 display a frenzied ardour in propagating 

 their species, nearly all, having satisfied the 

 passion of the moment, promptly break off 

 domestic relations and retire, heedless of 

 their brood, which must do the best that it 

 can for itself. 



This paternal coldness, which would be 

 detestable in the higher ranks of the animal 

 kingdom, where the weakness of the young 

 demands prolonged assistance, has here as 

 its excuse the robustness of the new-born 

 insect, which is able unaided to gather its 

 food, provided that it be in a propitious 

 place. When all that the Pieris need do, 



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