394 TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



01 even, when small, turned quite erect. Here is a 

 drawing of one climbing a leaf-stalk. (Fig. 125.) 



" But how do they manage to walk ? I can't under- 

 stand that," said Harr}-. 



"The walking is done altogether with these three 

 fore-legs. Let us suppose that the caterpillar has just 

 made a step. Its head and the upper rings of the 

 body are thrust beyond the case. It is holding by all 

 its pro-legs. N'ow it prepares to take a step ; it re- 

 leases first the second pair of legs, and immediately 

 after the first pair, at the same time pushing its head 

 forward. The rings of the body extend like the joints 

 of a telescope, and when the two first legs are ready to 

 be set down, the fore part of the body is well advanced. 

 Then the larva pulls upon the third pair of legs which 

 hold tightly to the surface, and by wrinkling up, or 

 more properly contracting the rings of the middle and 

 hind part of the body, it hitches them forward, and, 

 of course, the whole case comes along. Tliat completes 

 one step, and all others are made in the same way." 



''• Well, well," exclaimed the Mistress, when I had 

 sent mj' sketch around the circle, " of all curious crea- 

 tures which you have described to us, this basket- 

 worm appears to me to bear away the palm for oddity. 

 I begin to understand why one can be so patient and 

 self-denying in nature studies. Eeally it must be a 

 great pleasure to find out all these remai'kable things." 



"To me," said Aunt Hannah, " there is something 

 more remarkable than thy husband's [):-ilience, or even 

 th-^ habits of his insect fri(>nds." 



