CH. XVI.] THE CATERPILLAR. 269 



of caterpillars. If a section of these nests be exa- 

 mined with a microscope, the cells may be dis- 

 tinctly perceived ; some of them containing cater- 

 pillars, others excrements, and others both. The 



difficulty, is to comprehend how these insects find 

 ingress and egress, in such an apparent labyrinth. 

 But in each web doors or holes may be perceived, 

 which, in adding- new webs to old ones, they care- 

 fully avoid obliterating-. 



Into these nests, which they have been taught to 

 spin of a texture sufficiently strong to protect them 

 during the space of eight months, from the sun, the 

 rain, and the storms, they retire during a part of the 

 night, as well as during that perilous period in which 

 they undergo their metamorphosis. So tender are 

 they, that they find it necessary not only to line their 

 tent with the softest silk, but also to carpet with the 

 same material all the roads and approaches which 

 lead to this habitation. Having lived together till 

 the beginning of summer, they then separate, and 

 undergo their usual metamorphosis. 



There is a very singular species of caterpillar 

 which fixes its residence on the oak. It is a stranger 

 to this country, although well known in France. 

 From six hundred to eight hundred individuals fre- 

 quently dwell together in the same nest : the exter- 

 nal form of these habitations presents nothing very 

 striking ; it resembles the large knots formed on the 

 tree itself. In order to accommodate this great 



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