CHAPTER IX 



THE PSYCHES: THE LAYING 



IN THE springtime, old walls and dusty 

 roads harbour a surprise for whoso has 

 eyes to see. Tiny faggots, for no apparent 

 reason, set themselves in motion and make 

 their way along by sudden jerks. The inani- 

 mate comes to life, the immovable stirs. How 

 does this come about? Look closer and the 

 motive power will stand revealed. 



Enclosed within the moving bundle is a 

 fairly well-developed caterpillar, prettily 

 striped in black and white. Seeking for food 

 or perhaps for a spot where the transforma- 

 tion can be effected, he hurries along timidly, 

 attired in a queer rig-out of twigs from which 

 nothing emerges except the head and the front 

 part of the body, which is furnished with six 

 short legs. At the least alarm he goes right 

 in and does not budge again. This is the 

 whole secret of the little roaming bundle of 

 sticks. 



The faggot caterpillar belongs to the 

 Psyche group, whose name conveys an allu- 



