Lepidopteran Sacred Geometry: Reversing Desertification

[Charles Gavette]

    The drainage of wetlands, in conjunction with the desertification caused
by the burning of fossil fuels, are the bane of the conservation
lepidopterist. In recent years, part of a large tract that was once a swamp
is being reclaimed, quite in connection with a lepidopterist and nature
writer who lived and worked in the area.
    Gene Stratton-Porter, among whose 26 books is included Moths of the
Limberlost, has two Indiana Historical Sites dedicated to her. At the
Limberlost site, a small portion of the huge tract that was once the great
Limberlost, is now slowly becoming swamp once more. This is sacred geometry
in process, an event that directly opposes the avarice, greed, 
 profound ignorance and other effects of an economic system gone berserk.
(See Dan Winter's Sacred Geometry website at
http://www.indra.com/danwinter/  for the essay Desertification, Patriarchy,
and Hard-Making Power) A reclamation such as this, in the 
words of Chinese philosopher Huai Nan Tzu literally...."..moulds Heaven and
Earth, and harmonizes the Yin and Yang; it divides the Four Seasons from
each other and brings the Five Elements into accord. Its benign and gentle
breath cherishes all things inanimate and alive, it enriches vegetation with
moisture and permeates stones and metals." (Cranmer-Byng, Vision of Asia)
   "One day coming from work on a cuckoo 
nest on the banks of the Wabash, I found Bob and Molly Cotton scarlet of
face, almost breathless and wailing like paid mourners of an Arabian
funeral, for volume, but with heartbreaking earnestness. They had chased a
moth neither ever before had seen, until reduced to this state, when it
arose high, crossed over the river and was lost in Stanley Woods.
   Pressed for description Bob said it was "gray Scotch plaid." Molly Cotton
was more definite. She strongly affirmed it was a big moth cut from a piece
of her camel's hair dress. Now the dress was purchased in Cincinnati, at
greater expense than I could afford really, my excuse being that it was
irresistibly beautiful. The cloth was soft fine 
camel's hair, the background white, the plaid had broad wavy bands covering
the white, and these were made up of the softest grays, half a dozen browns,
almost a hint of yellow and delicate black lines. I was then and am yet
convinced they pursued a Tysania zenobia, an abundant species, that I do not
know of having been taken north of Georgia." (Moths of the Limberlost)
   "Mrs. Porter, so well known as "The Lady of the Limberlost," fearless in
the wilds of nature, had always held a dread of auto accidents. She did not
drive, however, she was careful in choosing those who drove for her. Mr.
Cowdy had been employed by Mrs. Porter only a year. She had checked his
previous driving record and found it excellent. Could Mrs. Porter's close
communion with nature and 
 the world have been sparked by this premonition of danger?...Though the
daylight hours had been warm and sunny, California's evening air had
chilled. Mr. Cowdy slowed down at Third Street to allow an eastbound
streetcar to pass, then stepped on the accelerator. A westbound streetcar,
obscured by the eastbound car, struck the sedan and hurled it 
 approximately fify feet away. The streetcar struck the auto just back of
the driver's seat. Mrs. Porter was thrown out of the car onto the
pavement...The top of the auto was sheared and a complete wreck ....transfer
to St. Vincent's Hospital was imperative. Mrs. Porter received all the
emergency medical tretment available at the time. Mrs. Porter remained
unconscious until 9:40 P.M., when death occured." (Gene Stratton-Porter: A
Lovely Light, Rollin Patterson King, Chicago: Adams Press, 1979, pp. 13-15)
    A Gene Stratton-Porter page is located on the 
Internet. This coming spring and summer, I would like to visit the
Limberlost Cabin, which was home to one who was a direct influence on my
love for the Lepidoptera 38 years ago. Hope to see you there.






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