236 Mr. Skene on the Enugration of Caterpillars. 
ing to see how this intelligent general would proceed. He 
examined with accuracy, trying every possible break, during 
which time the main body remained patiently waiting, and 
without making the slightest attempt to assist in the examina- 
tion, which their leader conducted with much activity and 
solicitude. At length, having ascertained the pass to be quite 
impracticable, he resolved upon a counter march, which was 
ps performed with the most surprising regularity. For 
whole line in succession advanced to the wheeling point on 
the brink before they turned, performing the evolution with 
as perfect precision as the best trained troops. the advancing 
and retreating lines passing close alongside of each other, and 
even climbing the same twig, while the front line descended 
out confusion, passing even over each other’s bodies 
without interruption or hesitation. 
- Having completed their descent in thé same manner as they 
had mounted, a new line of direetion was taken, which how- 
ever was very soon most ee interrupted by the arri- 
val of a woman leading an ass loa with brash-wood, o 
which some branches trailed along cha path. Afver the pass- 
age of this formidable assailant, I returned with some anx- 
iety to examine the state of my eolony, and found that they 
had suffered materially from the 5 pee and were thrown 
into the greatest confusion. The line of march had been 
broken ; a considerable body stil! followed the leader with a 
quickened pace ; others, united in parties of three and four, 
regularly keeping their position in the rear of each other, 
while their temporary conductor sought, with evident anxie- 
ty, to find out the main body, hastening first to the one side: 
and then to the other. A good many were scattered singly, 
and much distressed, seemingly uncertain how to proceed. 
I took each of them up in their turn, and with a view to as-_ 
certain the range of their vision, placed them at different dis- 
tances from the main body, with their heads turned towards 
it, and I found that they udiformly remained quite uncon- 
scious of its presence, until placed within half an inch of each 
other. They then approached with evident eagerness, and 
were readily admitted into the line, by the rear halting until 
pe é had taken their places. 
‘put one of wee stragglers in front, with his tail to the 
rs head, but he pertinaceously refused the honour of 
ine ; a considerable sensation seemed to be 
communicated rather the whole body at this attempt at usur- 
hci. 
enter 
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