Note 8 — Chapter XX · FABRE’S WRITINGS (CONTINUED)

The best-endowed insect cannot do anything “outside the narrow circle of its attributions. Every insect displays, in its calling, in which it excels, its series of logically co-ordinated actions. There it is truly a master.”8 Apart from this it is utterly incapable. And even within the cycle of its attributions, apart from the customary conditions under which it exercises them, the ineptness of the insect surpasses imagination.