CH. XVI.] 



THE CATERPILLAR. 



279 



measured movements of revolving worlds, or the 

 humble labours of a puny insect, we shall be forced 

 to recognise in them the arrangements and contri- 

 vances of an Omniscient mind. 



Some species of caterpillars simply tie several 

 leaves together with silken threads, and thus form 

 a hollow tube in which they lodge and feed. They 

 carefully destroy the bud at the extremity of the 

 shoot, lest its sprouting should tear asunder their 

 silken bands. 



The number of caterpillars which enclose them- 

 selves by the process of rolling, bending, or tying 

 leaves together is very great ; nor is this habit con- 

 fined to one class. Spiders, beetles, and various 

 other insects, proceed under the impulse of the same 

 instinct. The description which has been already 

 given of the habits of one class will equally apply 

 to the proceedings of all the other tribes. 



Some caterpillars, not possessing the art of those 

 which have been already noticed, content themselves 

 with the shelter which they procure by eating away 

 the pulpy substance contained between the upper 

 and under surfaces of the leaf. They are so small, 

 that even the thinnest leaf is capable of furnishing 

 them with an ample lodging. If several leaves be 



1 . The habitation of miners of galleries. 



2. areas. 



3 The habitation of those which mine first a gallery then an area. 



