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Fabre had not yet left Orange when Darwin engaged in a curious
correspondence which lasted until the former had been nearly two years at
Sérignan； and which showed how passionately interested the great theorist
of evolution was in all the Frenchman's surprising observations。
It seems that on his side Fabre took a singular interest in the discussion
on account of the absolute sincerity； the obvious desire to arrive at the
truth； and also the ardent interest in his own studies； of which Darwin's
letters were full。 He conceived a veritable affection for Darwin； and
commenced to learn English； the better to understand him and to reply more
precisely； and a discussion on such a subject between these two great
minds； who were； apparently； adversaries； but who had conceived an infinite
respect for one another； promised to be prodigiously interesting。
Unhappily death was soon to put an end to it； and when the solitary of Down
expired in 1882 the hermit of Sérignan saluted his great shade with real
emotion。 How many times have I heard him render homage to this illustrious
memory！
But the furrow was traced； thenceforth Fabre never ceased to multiply his
pin…pricks in 〃the vast and luminous balloon of transformism （evolution）；
in order to empty it and expose it in all its inanity。〃 （9/12。） By no means
the least original feature of his work is this passionate and incisive
argument； in which； with a remarkable power of dialectic； and at times in a
tone of lively banter； he endeavoured to remove 〃this comfortable pillow
from those who have not the courage to inquire into its fundamental
nature。〃 He attacked these 〃adventurous syntheses； these superb and
supposedly philosophic deductions；〃 all the more eagerly because he himself
had an unshakable faith in the absolute certainty of his own discoveries；
and because he asserted the reality of things only after he had observed
and re…observed them to satiety。
This is why he cared so little to engage in argument relating to his own
works； he did not care for discussion； he was indifferent to the daily
press； he avoided criticism and controversy； and never replied to the
attacks which were made upon him； he rather took pains to surround himself
with silence until the day when he felt that his researches were ripe and
ready for publicity。
He wrote to his dear friend Devillario； shortly after Darwin's death：
〃I have made a rule of never replying to the remarks； whether favourable or
the reverse； which my writings may evoke。 I go my own gait； indifferent
whether the gallery applauds or hisses。 To seek the truth is my only
preoccupation。 If some are dissatisfied with the result of my observations…
…if their pet theories are damaged therebylet them do the work
themselves； to see whether the facts tell another story。 My problem cannot
be solved by polemics； patient study alone can throw a little light on the
subject。 （9/13。）
〃I am profoundly indifferent to what the newspapers may say about me；〃 he
wrote to his brother seventeen years later； 〃it is enough for me if I am
pretty well satisfied with my own work。〃 （9/14。）
He read all the letters he received only in a superficial manner；
neglecting to thank those who praised or congratulated him； and above all
shrinking from all that idle correspondence in which life is wasted without
aim or profit。
〃I fume and swear when I have to cut into my morning in order to reply to
so…and…so who sends me； in print or manuscript； his meed of praise； if I
were not careful I should have no time left for far more important work。〃
His beloved Frédéric； 〃the best of his friends；〃 was himself often treated
no better； and to excuse his silence and the infrequency of his letters；
Henri； even in the years spent at Carpentras and Ajaccio； could plead only
the same reasons； his stupendous labours； his exhausting task； 〃which
overwhelmed him； and was often too great； not for his courage； but for his
time and his strength。〃 （9/15。）
Nevertheless； while evading the question of origins； his far…sighted
intellect was bound to 〃read from the facts〃 concerning the genesis of new
species in process of evolution； and his observations throw a singular
light on the quite recent theory of sudden mutations。
The nymph of the Onthophagus presents 〃a strange paraphernalia of horns and
spurs which the organism has produced in a moment of ardoura luxurious
panoply which vanishes in the adult。〃
The nymph of the Oniticella also decks itself in 〃a temporary horn； which
departs when it emerges。〃
And 〃as the dung…beetle is recent in the general chronology of creatures；
as it takes rank among the last comers； as the geological strata are mute
concerning it； it is possible that these horn…like processes； which always
degenerate before they reach completion； may be not a reminiscence but a
promise； a gradual elaboration of new organs； timid attempts which the
centuries will harden to a complete armour； AND IF THIS WERE SO THE PRESENT
WOULD TEACH US WHAT THE FUTURE IS TO BE。〃 （9/16。）
Here is a specific transformation； a veritable creation； fortuitous； blind；
and silent； one of those innumerable attempts which nature is always
making； for the moment a mere matter of hazard； until some propitious
circumstance fixes it in future incarnations。
Thus millions of indeterminate creatures are incessantly roughed out in the
substance of that microcosm which is the initial cell； and it is here that
Fabre sees the real secret of the law of evolution。
He refutes the great principle of Leibnitz； which was so brilliantly
adopted by Darwin； that changes occur by degrees； by 〃fine shades；〃 by slow
variations； as the result of successive adaptations； and that there is no
jumping…off place in nature。 On the contrary； life often passes suddenly
from one form to another； by abrupt and capricious leaps； by irregular and
disorderly steps； and it is in the egg that Fabre sees the first lineaments
of these mysterious and spontaneous variations。
Species are therefore born as a whole； each at the same time； AT THE SAME
MOMENT； 〃bringing into being its new organism； with its individual
properties and peculiarities； its indelible and innate faculties and
tendencies； like 〃so many medals； each struck with a different die； which
the gnawing tooth of time attacks only sooner or later to annihilate it。〃
However； Fabre affirms the continuity of progress； he believes in a better
and more merciful future； a more complete humanity； ruled by more
harmonious or less brutal laws。
With what profound intelligence and what generous enthusiasm he seeks to
conjecture what this future might be； in his beautiful observations on the
young of the Lycosa （9/17。）； which can live for weeks and months in
absolute abstinence； although we can perceive no reserve of nutriment！
We know no other sources of animal activity save the energy derived from
food。 Vegetables draw the