CH. XV.] 



THE CATERPILLAR. 



259 



edges, taking great care not to separate the two 

 membranes where they are joined together by na- 

 tural indentations. 



In this figure, the caterpillar has left his old coat attached to the stalk 

 of the leaf, and has taken the first step in forming a new one, by 

 eating out a portion, which is seen white in the cut. 



It will readily be perceived, that by proceeding in 

 this manner, the insect saves much labour ; it finds 

 by this means one side cut ready for its purposes, 

 and also joined and sewed at the indentations by the 

 hand of nature, even more neatly and firmly than it 

 could be done by its own labour. 



But what is still more extraordinary, these cater- 

 pillars are found to vary their proceedings according 

 to circumstances. Reaumur surprised one of them 

 while engaged in the act of making its mantle. To 

 form one side of it, the creature had selected the 

 ready joined edge of a leaf, mining only for the other 

 side ; with a pair of scissors, Reaumur cut off the 

 indentations at their roots: by this means, the 

 membranes were of course loosened at their point 

 of junction. Without the slightest hesitation or 

 delay, the worm adopted the only expedient which 

 could remedy the mischief; it instantly set about 

 sewing artificially the two edges, which were pre- 



