54 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



"O no, Frank. The butterfly has no big jaws hke the 

 caterpillar, but a little slender tongue, by means of which 

 it sucks up honey from the flowers. It never does any 

 mischief 



"I 'm glad of that," said Frank, "for I love the butter- 

 flies. The old, prickly caterpillars I hate, and I never 

 thought they were anything but just caterpillars. I know 

 little birds are little birds, but I don't see how caterpillars 

 can be little butterflies." 



" Well, Frank," said Mr. Benedict, " I am going to tell 

 you something now that I think will please you. The 

 woods are very pleasant and dry, and I think that some 

 day next week we will have our picnic at the Den Rocks. 

 I am going to invite the girls belonging to the Botany 

 class to join us ; and, boys," he continued, "I want you 

 to arrange with your sisters about carrying some baskets 

 of luncheon, for you will all be hungry after a good frolic 

 about the Rocks. I think that you would better meet 

 some day after school and we will decide about all the 

 arrangements. Next Wednesday will be a good day to go, 

 because then we shall have to break up school for only 

 half of the day." 



Mr. Benedict dismissed the class, and as the boys left 

 the school-room they formed themselves into little groups 

 and went away, all talking eagerly about the picnic. 



