The Life of the Caterpillar 



ject in laying bare the raw and rough sur- 

 faces, to which the silk will stick better, may 

 be to obtain a firmer hold. Even 'so the 

 plumber gives a touch of the file at the point 

 that is to be soldered. 



Then, by sheer strength of jaw, the cater- 

 pillar lifts his beam, brandishes it in the air 

 and, with a quick movement of his rump, lays 

 it on his back. The spinneret at once sets to 

 work on the end caught. And the thing is 

 done : without any groping about or correct- 

 ing, the log is added to the others, in the di- 

 rection required. 



The fine days of autumn are spent in toil of 

 this kind, performed leisurely and intermit- 

 tently, when the stomach is full. By the time 

 that the cold weather arrives, the house is 

 ready. When the air is once more warm, the 

 Psyche resumes his walks abroad : he roams 

 along the paths, strolls over the friendly 

 greensward, takes a few mouthfuls and then, 

 when the hour has come, prepares for his 

 transformation by hanging from the wall. 



These springtime wanderings, long after 



the case is completely finished, made me want 



to know if the caterpillar would be capable of 



repeating his sack-weaving and roof-building 



240 



