I have reserved to the last the largest of our direct prizes, the Neé prize, awarded to the author of the Souvenirs entomologiques, M. Jean-Henri Fabre. He cannot, at all events, be accused of indiscreet solicitation. In his hermitage at Sérignan, where he has pursued a long life of toil, a life so modest that despite the most wonderful discoveries it was for a long time a life of obscurity, M. Fabre gave not a thought to the Académie Française, which is all the better pleased to show that it was thinking of him. M. Fabre has, indeed, too clear a vision and too sane a mind not to perceive the problems of a philosophical order which arise from the wonderful data of his discoveries. At every step, in the mysterious domain of instinct, reason cannot fail to divine, beyond the little kingdom explored by observation, the unfathomable secrets of creation. To all, even to those who believe themselves least interested in matters of natural history, I cannot refrain from saying: “Read these narratives; you will appreciate their charm, their geniality, their simplicity, their life; you will fall in love with this delightful science, which is pursued day after day in the beautiful summer weather, “to the song of the Cicadæ;” this science which is truly Latin, Virgilian at times, which goes hand in hand with poetry, which is so imbued with love that it sometimes seems as though there arose, from these humble entomological souvenirs, a strophe of the canticle of created things.” [196] A mark of homage, which, indeed, adds nothing to the fame of the celebrated laureate of the Institute and so many other learned Academies, but which deserves mention here because it certainly touched a fibre of the old scientist’s heart which all the rest might have failed to stir, is that which was accorded him by the little Society which gathers about the belfry of Rodez the intellectual élite of his own country-side. The records of the Société des lettres, sciences et arts de l’Aveyron contain, in the minutes of the session of the 27th October 1910, a communication from the president of the Society which closes with the words: In order to associate ourselves in some fashion with the unanimous bestowal of honours and eulogy of which this venerable old man is at present the recipient, we propose to accord him the title of honorary member. It is the highest distinction at our disposal, and we think he will accept it with sympathy.