Chapter XXXIII: Book THE FIRST: Metamorphosis

CHAPTER I.--TERROR AND REPUGNANCE IN CHILDHOOD.

Extract from a Journal written by Madame Michelet, 57
In which she describes a visit to the home of her childhood, 58
Painful impressions produced by the ravages of the insect, 59
The writer comments on the repugnance with which the insect is viewed by
childhood, 60
This repugnance is not shared by Nature, 61
Which protects and facilitates it in its work, 62
On account of its vast importance, 63

CHAPTER II.--COMPASSION.

The artist Gros reproached a young man for cruelty towards a
butterfly, 67
Lyonnet, the naturalist, equally insisted on tenderness towards even
the lowest forms of life, 68
The writer records his adventure with a drone, which he thought he had
killed, in a moment of petulance, 69
His happiness on seeing the insect revive, 70
Begins to study the insect seriously on a Swiss tour, 70
Another extract from Madame Michelet's Journal, 71
In which is described the author's retreat at Montreux, on the shore of
the Lake of Geneva, 72
In one of her walks she observes a combat between a stag-beetle and a
beetle of inferior size, 73
The stag-beetle is captured for the purpose of examination, 73
Effect produced upon it by the vapour of ether, 74
Regret expressed at having terminated its existence, 75

CHAPTER III.--WORLD-BUILDERS.

The world _outside_ the terrestrial world, 79
The world of the infinitely little; the architects of ocean, 80
The immense works accomplished by the lower organisms, 81
They build up reefs, banks, islands, 82
The manufacture of chalk described, 83
How a coral-island is gradually developed, 83, 84
Examples of the labours of the coral animals, 85

CHAPTER IV.--LOVE AND DEATH.

Above these organisms in the scale of creation comes the insect, 89
Its individuality is explained; its mode of reproduction, 90
The insect-mother dies in producing her offspring, 91
But with extraordinary sagacity has provided for its support and
protection, 92
Examples given of this wonderful maternal provision, 93
The labours of the mother-bee explained, 94
Reference to the "Nymphs of Fontainebleau," 95

CHAPTER V.--THE ORPHAN: ITS FEEBLENESS.

The insect enters upon life naked and necessitous, 99
But all its wants have been carefully anticipated, 100
Night, however, is the great protection of the embryo, 101
How it endeavours to guard against cold, 102
In its necessities originate its various industries, 103
After a time comes its season of trial, 104
Of which it exhibits a marvellous presentiment, and for which it
assiduously prepares, 105

CHAPTER VI.--THE MUMMY, NYMPH, OR CHRYSALIS.

The meaning of the insect to the ancient Egyptians, 109
The beetle was regarded as a symbol of Eternity, 110
Has modern science swept aside the ancient poetry? 110
That it is not so, is shown by Réaumur's discoveries, 111
Which show us the marvellous changes the insect undergoes, 112

And how in each stage of growth the next is prefigured, 113
However numerous or great the changes, the individuality is
preserved, 114
A future life is provided for, as in the case of the human embryo, 115

CHAPTER VII.--THE PHOENIX.

Out of gloom and obscurity emerges light, 119
The metamorphosis takes place, but the insect is not at a loss, 120
Nature furnishes each species with all its needs for the new life, 121
Its vital intensity is revealed by the brightness of its colouring, 122
Insects of gay attire are found in every region, 123
Even among the snows of the Alpine peaks, 124