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Stratton-Porter, Gene, 1863-1924

"Moths of the Limberlost"

Every organ of his interior
has its purpose, and is used to fulfil it. His big, prominent eyes
come from long residence in dark hollows. His bushy tail helps
him in long jumps from tree to tree. Every part of his anatomy is
created, designed and used to serve some purpose, save only his
brain, the most complex and complicated part of him. Its only use
and purpose is to form one small 'tidbit ' for the palate of the
epicure! Like Sir Francis, who preached a sermon to the birds,
I found me delivering myself of a lecture to the squirrels, birds,
and moths of Sunshine Hill. The final summing up was, that the
squirrel used his feet, teeth, eyes and tail; that could be seen
easily, and by his actions it could be seen just as clearly that
he used his brain also.
There was not a Thysbe in front of the lens, so picking up a long
cudgel I always carry afield, and going quietly to surrounding
thistles, I jarred them lightly with it, and began rounding up the
Hemaris family in the direction of the camera.


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