THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. QI 



that the prickles killed it, before it was a day old. But 

 Nature takes better care of her young children than to 

 allow such things to happen. The young caterpillar is 

 curiously provided with long spines, which project all over 

 its body and entirely protect it from the sharp prickles 

 of the Nettle. 



" For our next lesson we will take some more specimens 

 of the genus Vanessa. You remember the Antiopa, the 

 first butterfly I described to you last Spring, belonged to 

 this genus, and there are two more that ought by this 

 time to be on the wing. Very likely some of you will 

 find specimens before we meet again." 



Mr. Benedict was about to dismiss the class, when little 

 Frank, who had been waiting very impatiently for the 

 teacher . to stop, ^climbed down from his seat and came 

 towards Mr. Benedict's table. He had not placed his speci- 

 men with the others, because he wanted to give it to Mr. 

 Benedict himself 



" Well, what have you now, my little fellow ? " asked the 

 teacher. 



"That 's what I want you to tell me. All the boys 

 laughed at me for catching it, and said it was only a 

 Devil's Darning-needle." 



A loud laugh rang through the class at Frank's state- 

 ment, in which the teacher joined. 



"That is the common name of this insect, Frank," said 



