LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 69 



and then weaving over the top a thick covering 

 of silk, took up the earth, piece by piece, and 

 pushed it up into the silk. 



The naturalist watched it until the top became 

 so thick that he could see it no longer, but he 

 found the little creature was still moving about ; 

 no doubt finishing its nest, and lining it with silk. 



Some caterpillars prefer living in families to 

 being always alone, and make large dwellings, 

 where hundreds of them live together. These 

 nests are formed of a tough material resembling 

 paper, and are sometimes two or three feet in 

 length. 



When these social caterpillars go out in search 

 of food, they travel in long lines, with a leader 

 at their head ; and their nests are kept well sup- 

 plied with the leaves upon which they feed. I 

 do not know that they have ever been seen in 

 this country, but they are found in some parts 

 of Europe. 



Renee. Aunt Mary, do all the caterpillars of 

 which you have been telling us, become butter- 

 flies, or are some of them moths ? 



JLunt M. Some of them become butterflies, 

 and others moths. 



7 



