SPINNING CATERPILLARS. 



331 



This irregularity arises from the circumstance of 

 each individual acting on its own account, without 

 the direction or superintendence of the others. The 

 interior of the structure is, for the same reason, 

 more regular, being divided into compartments, each 

 of which forms a chamber for one or more indivi- 

 duals. Previous to the cold weather, these cham- 

 bers have but slight partitions; but before the frosts 

 set in the whole is made thick and warm. 



Winter nests ofPortlusiu chrysorrhcca, one being cut open to show 

 the chambers. The dots represent the egesta of the caterpillars. 



A no less remarkable winter nest, of a small spe- 

 cies of social caterpillar is described by M. Bonnet, 

 which we omitted to introduce when treating of the 

 Glanvilie fritillary (page 172). The next in question 

 is literally pendulous, being hung from the branch of 

 a fruit-tree by a strong silken thread. It consists of 

 one or two leaves neatly folded, and held together 



