Note 1 — Chapter I · THE FABLE OF THE CICADA AND THE ANT
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
To come back to the Cicada after Réaumur1 has told the insect’s story would be waste of time, save that the disciple enjoys an advantage unknown to the master. The great naturalist received the materials for his work from my part of the world; his subjects came by barge after being carefully preserved in spirits. I, on the other hand, live in the Cicada’s company. When July comes, he takes possession of the enclosure right up to the threshold of the house. The hermitage is our joint property. I remain master indoors; but out of doors he is the sovereign lord and an extremely noisy and abusive one. Our near neighbourhood and constant association have enabled me to enter into certain details of which Réaumur could not dream.