246 SOCIETY OF ANIMALS. 



surface of the tree. Between the trunk of the tree and the 

 layers of silk, a single hole is left, to allow the animals to go 

 out in quest of food, and to retire into the r>est after they are 

 satiated. Notwithstanding the great bulk of these nests, and 

 though there are often three or four of them upon the same 

 tree, and never elevated above the height of distinct vision, 

 they are not easily perceived ; for the silk of which they are 

 composed is cinerous, and resembles, in color, those mosses 

 with which the trunk of the oak is generally covered. 



The inhabitants of a nest, which are numerous, march out, 

 about the setting of the sun, to forage, under the conduct of 

 a chief or leader, all whose movements they uniformly follow. 

 The order they observe is singular. The first rank consists 

 of single animals, the second of two, the third of three, the 

 fourth of four, and sometimes more. In this manner they 

 proceed, in quest of food, with all the regularity of disciplined 

 troops. The chief or leader has no marks of preeminence ; 

 for any individual that happens first to issue from the nest, 

 from that circumstance alone, becomes the leader of an expe- 

 dition. After making a full repast upon the neighboring 

 leaves, they return to the nest in the same regular order; and 

 this practice they continue during the whole period of their 

 existence in the caterpillar state. It was from this strange 

 regularity of movement that Reaumur, with much propriety, 

 denominated these animals processionary caterpillars. When 

 arrived at maturity, each individual spins a silken pod, is 

 converted into a chrysalis, and afterwards assumes the form 

 of a butterfly. This last transformation breaks all the bonds 

 of their former association, and the female flies deposit their 

 eggs, which, when hatched, produce new colonies, which ex- 

 hibit the same economy and manners. 



There are several species of caterpillars which are real 

 republicans, and whose discipline, manners, and genius, are 

 as diversified as those of the inhabitants of different nations 

 and climates. Some, like particular savages, construct a 

 kind of hammocks, in which they take their victuals, repose, 

 and spend their lives till the period of their transformation. 

 Others, like the Arabs and Tartars, construct and live in 

 silken tents, and, after consuming the neighboring herbage, 

 they leave their former habitations, and encamp on fresh pas- 

 ture. They go out of their tents at particular times in quest 

 of food, and often to considerable distances ; but they never 

 lose their way back. It is not by sight that they are directed 

 with so much certainty to their abodes. Nature has furnished 



