THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 319 



Processionaiy Boml)yx. When they are encountered, it is 

 necessary to let them alone, for neither man nor animal can 

 disturb their march, or even approach them without l^eing 

 severely punished for it. The hairs which cover these 

 caterpillars become detached during their evolutions, and 

 float all about the army; it is extremely dangerous to 

 inhale them, for so soon as ever any enter the lungs, an 

 obstinate and distressing cough ensues, which goes to the 

 verge of suflFocation. 



An imperious irresistible desire to change their locality 

 or country is usually seen only in animals in the full flush 

 of strength. Nevertheless, it is also observed in certain 

 young creatures just hatched. This takes place in spring 

 among the eels. The progeny of this fish, the mysterious 

 origin of which is not yet unravelled, pass up our rivers at 

 this time in such compact swarms that all the travellers 

 seem to touch each other; anything like numbering them 

 would be impossible. 



Near the steep banks of the Seine these young eels form 

 a band quite a yard wide which sometimes takes more than 

 a week to pass the neighbourhood of Rouen, and after that 

 time these millions of animals suddenly disappear without 

 lea^dng any trace. Whence does this animated milky way 

 reach us, and what becomes of this diaphanous and scarcely 

 developed brood? It is as yet an impenetrable secret.^ 



Our commercial relations with distant countries also 

 favour the migrations of certain animals, but still not to 



1 According to M. (Joste a single pound of the fry contains about 1800 little 

 eels. This progeny, looking like thread-worms, inspires some persons with dis- 

 gust. In some countries they are fished for by torch-light and used for food. 

 In Caen, where this takes place, the fry is sold in the markets and streets in large 

 buckets. Its price varies according to the yield of the fishery ; generally it is 

 sold at about a franc a quart. It is eaten in diflereut ways, jjrepared wdth white 



sauce, fried, and even made into pates. 



41 



