IxMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 21 



gold- tail- moth {Arctia chnjsorhcca) before mentioned, 

 whose caterpillars are of this description. They belong 

 to that family of BombT/cidcef which envelop their eggs in 

 hair plucked from their own body. As soon as one of 

 these young caterpillars is disclosed from the egg, it be- 

 gins to feed; another quickly joins it, placing itself by its 

 side ; thus they proceed in succession till a file is formed 

 across the leaf: — a second is then begun ; and after this 

 is completed, a third — and so they proceed till the whole 

 upper surface of the leaf is covered : — but as a single 

 leaf will not contain the whole family, the remainder 

 take their station upon the adjoining ones. No sooner 

 have they satisfied the cravings of hunger, than they 

 begin to think of erecting a common habitation, which 

 at first is only a vaulted web, that covers the leaf they 

 inhabit, but by their united labours in due time grows 

 into a magnificent tent of silk, containing various apart- 

 ments sufficient to defend and shelter them all from the 

 attack of enemies and the inclemency of the seasons. 

 As our caterpillars, like eastern monarchs, are too deli- 

 cate to adventure their feet upon the rough bark of the 

 tree upon which they feed, they lay a silken carpet over 

 every road and pathway leading to their palace, which 

 extends as far as they have occasion to go for food. To 

 the habitation just described they retreat during heavy 

 rains, and when the sun is too hot : — they likewise pass 

 part of the night in them ; — and, indeed, at all times 

 some may usually be found at home. Upon any sudden 

 alarm they retreat to them for safety, and also when they 

 cast their skins : — in the winter they are wholly confined 

 to them, emerging again in the spring : but in May and 

 June they entirely desert them; and, losing all their 



