The Haricot-Weevil 
The problem of the haricot had reached 
this stage, almost elucidated by the insect’s 
evidence alone, when an unexpected docu- 
ment came and gave me the last word of the 
riddle. It is once more a poet—and a very 
famous poet—M. José Maria de Heredia,* 
who comes to the naturalist’s aid. Without 
suspecting the service which he is rendering 
me, the village schoolmaster lends me a ma- 
gazine? in which I read the following 
conversation between the masterly chaser of 
sonnets and a lady journalist who asks him 
which of his works he prefers: 
““‘What would you have me say?’ asks 
the poet. ‘You place me in a great 
dificulty. . . . I do not know which sonnet 
I like best: they all cost me terrible pains 
to write. ... Which do you _ yourself 
prefer?” 
“How can I possibly make a choice, my 
dear master, out of so many jewels, each of 
which is perfectly beautiful? You flash 
pearls, emeralds and rubies before my 
astonished eyes; how can I decide to prefer 
1 The academician (1842-1905).—1Translator’s Note. 
2 Annales politiques et littéraires Les Enfants jugés 
par leur péres. Christmas number, 1901.—Author’s Note. 
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