[The Wonders of Instinct by J. H. Fabre]@TWC D-Link book
The Wonders of Instinct

CHAPTER 8
44/46

The circumference of the vase, the perimeter of the track, is exactly 1 metre 35.

(4 feet 5 inches .-- Translator's Note.) Therefore the circle covered, always in the same direction and always without result, was described three hundred and thirty-five times.
These figures surprise me, though I am already familiar with the abysmal stupidity of insects as a class whenever the least accident occurs.

I feel inclined to ask myself whether the Processionaries were not kept up there so long by the difficulties and dangers of the descent rather than by the lack of any gleam of intelligence in their benighted minds.

The facts, however, reply that the descent is as easy as the ascent.
The caterpillar has a very supple back, well adapted for twisting round projections or slipping underneath.

He can walk with the same ease vertically or horizontally, with his back down or up.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books