The Life of the Caterpillar 



the track. Hesitatingly he ventures into un- 

 known ground. He reaches the top of the 

 rim and descends upon the other side on the 

 earth in the vase. He is followed by six 

 others, no more. Perhaps the rest of the 

 troop, who have not fully recovered from 

 their nocturnal torpor, are to lazy to bestir 

 themselves. 



The result of this brief delay is a return 

 to the old track. The caterpillars embark on 

 the silken trail and the circular march is re- 

 sumed, this time in the form of a ring with 

 a gap in it. There is no attempt, however, to 

 strike a new course on the part of the guide 

 whom this gap has placed at the head. A 

 chance of stepping outside the magic circle has 

 presented itself at last ; and he does not know 

 how to avail himself of it. 



As for the caterpillars who have made their 

 way to the inside of the vase, their lot is hard- 

 ly improved. They climb to the top of the 

 palm, starving and seeking for food. Finding 

 nothing to eat that suits them, they retrace 

 their steps by following the thread which they 

 have left on the way, climb the ledge of the 

 pot, strike the procession again and, without 

 further anxiety, slip back into the ranks. 



