face where there is no danger of a
fall, the microscopic creature employs another method. It crooks its
belly and, when the two spikes of the eighth segment, now fully
outspread, have found a firm support by ploughing, so to speak, the
surface of locomotion, it bears upon that base and pushes forward by
expanding the various abdominal articulations. This forward movement
is also assisted by the action of the legs, which are far from
remaining inactive. This done, it casts anchor with the powerful claws
of its feet; the abdomen contracts; the various segments draw
together; and the anus, pulled forward, obtains a fresh purchase, with
the aid of the two spikes, before beginning the second of these
curious strides.

During these manoeuvres, the cirri of the flanks and thighs drag along
the supporting surface and by their length and elasticity appear
fitted only to impede progress. But let us not be in a hurry to
conclude that we have discovered an inconsistency: the least of
creatures is adapted to the conditions amid which it has to live;
there is reason to believe that these filaments, far from hampering
the pigmy's progress, must, in normal circumstances, be of some
assistance to it.

Even the little that we have just learnt shows us that the young
Sitaris-larva is not called upon to move on an ordinary surface. The
spot, whatever it may be like, where this larva is to live later
exposes it to the risk of many dangerous falls, since, in order to
prevent them, it is not only equipped with strong and extremely mobile
talons and a steel-shod crescent, a sort of ploughshare capable of
biting into the most highly polished substance, but is further
provided with a viscous liquid, sufficiently tenacious and adhesive to
hold it in position without the help of other appliances. In vain I
racked my brains to guess what the substance might be, so shifting, so
uncertain and so perilous, which the young Sitares are destined to
inhabit; and I discovered nothing to explain the necessity for the
structure which I have described. Convinced beforehand, by an
attentive examination of this structure, that I should witness some
peculiar habits, I waited with eager impatience for the return of the
warm weather, never doubting that by dint of persevering observation
the mystery would be disclosed to me next spring. At last this spring,
so fervently desired, arrived; I brought to bear all the patience, all
the imagination, all the insight a