The Life of the Caterpillar 



start for the grazing-grounds at dark of night, 

 in uncertain weather, would be dangerous, for 

 the procession goes some distance and travels 

 slowly. The flock would fare ill before re- 

 gaining shelter did any sudden atmospheric 

 trouble supervene, an event of some frequency 

 in the bad season of the year. So that he 

 may be informed in this particular during his 

 nocturnal winter rambles, can the Pine Cater- 

 pillar be endowed with some sort of meteoro- 

 logical aptitudes? Let us describe how the 

 suspicion occurred to me. 



Divulged I know not how, my rearing of 

 caterpillars under glass acquired a certain re- 

 nown. It was talked about in the village. 

 The forest-ranger, a sworn enemy to de- 

 structive insects, wanted to see the grazing of 

 the famous caterpillars, of whom he had re- 

 tained a too poignant memory ever since the 

 day when he gathered and destroyed their 

 nests in a pine-wood under his charge. It 

 was arranged that he should call the same 

 evening. 



He arrives at the appointed hour, accom- 

 panied by a friend. For a moment we sit 

 and chat in front of the fire; then, when the 

 clock strikes nine, the lantern is lit and we 



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