A FAMILY OF ROPE DANCERS 53 
and here they may be found every pleasant day 
throughout the winter, lolling about and display¬ 
ing themselves, steeping in the heat of the sun, 
and occasionally wagging their heads to show 
their enjoyment. 
“Along in January a second change of dress is 
made. This is a plain utility suit, which pos¬ 
sesses one extremely handy feature. In a row 
down along the back are eight little mouth-like 
gashes which have inside them some odd swell¬ 
ings so sensitive that they record the changes of 
heat and cold. They are, in short, living barom¬ 
eters. By their aid the processionaries are en¬ 
abled to gauge accurately the weather, and thus 
do not venture forth in the teeth of piercing 
winds, storm and sleet, as they might otherwise 
do. They have been known to foretell a storm at 
least two days ahead. Fabre says that when his 
family had to go to town in winter to buy pro¬ 
visions, they always consulted the caterpillars, 
and according to what the little creatures did, 
they went or stayed at home. 
“ It is March before the processionaries leave 
their pine tree for their final journey abroad. 
They are now much faded as to coats, but their 
ability to follow grimly in a steady, unbroken 
procession still holds good, and they file away 
over the uneven ground. Their business is very 
important, and it takes no little patience on the 
