WINTER TENANTS OF OUR TREES. 45 



PIG. 14. — DAME NATURE STRIPS YOUNG POLYPHEMUS 

 FOR REST. 



which this single species of insect could make if onlj^ a 

 hundredth part of the eggs came to maturity. A few 

 years would suffice for the propagation of a number 

 large enough to devour all the leaves of our forests." 



"But you have not told me yet how the caterpillar 

 eats itself within this cocoon. I feel very much as the 

 somewhat undex'-wise and stuttering King of England, 

 George II., is said to have felt when he first saw an 

 apple-dumpling. ' P-p-pray, wh-wh-where, where got 

 the apple in ?' How got tlie pupa inside this case ?" 



