  In the two-dimensional CP(N-1) model one can parametrize exact many-instanton
solutions via N `constituents' (called `zindons'). This parameterization
allows, in principle, a complete `melting' of individual instantons. The model
is therefore well suited to study whether dynamics prefers a dilute or a
strongly overlapping ensemble of instantons. We study the statistical mechanics
of instantons both analytically and numerically. We find that at N=2 the
instanton system collapses into zero-size instantons. At N=3,4 we find that
well-isolated instantons are dynamically preferred though 15-25% of instantons
have a considerable overlap with others.
