194 INSECTS.^ 



aduallydead. Of this kind are found great numbers togetherj inclofedin 

 one common web, to protect them from the injuries of the air. Some but- 

 terflies live all the winter : thefe are found lifelefs and motionlefs in the 

 hollows of trees, or the clefts of timber; but, being approached to a fire, 

 they recover life and aftivity, and feem to anticipate the defires of fpring. 

 Many are hatched from their egg at the foot of a tree, and climb to its 

 leaves for fubfiftence : the eggs of others have been glued by the parent 

 butterfly to the leaves ; and they are no fooner excluded from the fhell, 

 but they find themfelves in the midft of plenty. 



The caterpillar recent from the egg is fmall and feeble, and feems 

 to make no great confumption ; but as it increafes in magnitude it im- 

 proves in appetite ; and when adult is ravenous. A fingle caterpillar 

 will eat double its own weight of leaves in a day. 



The body of a caterpillar is compofed of rings, pretty near circular or 

 oval ; generally twelve; membranaceous. The head is conneded to the 

 firftring by the neck, which is generally fo fliort it is fcarce vifible : the 

 head is covered by a fhell i the jaws are placed rather vertically, each 

 armed with a large thick tooth, with which fome defend themfelves 

 againfl: their enemies. Though the mouth be fhut, the teeth are unco- 

 vered, and feldom without employment. Many, while young, eat only 

 the fucculentpart of the leaf, and leave the fibres ; others eat the whole 

 leaf clean away. Some eat all day long, others have their hours of re- 

 pafl:, and fome chufe the night : to attack a leaf, it places the edge of the 

 leaf between its feet, which keep it fteady, while the teeth are cutting it : 

 thefe adi: fomewhat like agardener's flieers ; and every morfcl is fwallowed 

 as foon as cut. Some feed on very narrow leaves, not broader than 

 their mouths j thefe it devours from the point. 



Of their feet the fix fofemoft have a fliining grifl:ly covering; and are 

 called fhelly legs. The hindmoft, whatever be their number, are fofc 

 and flexible, and are called membranaceous. With regard to their exter- 

 nal figure, they are either fmooth or hairy : the firft kind is foft to. the 

 touch, or hard like fliagreen j the latter hairy, and as it were thorny 5 

 and generally, if handled, flings like nettles. 



Caterpillars, in general, have fix fmall black fpots on the fore ring, a 

 little to the fide of the head : three larger than the others, convex and 

 tranfparent : thefe Reaumur takes to be eyes. 



The fl:igmata, or holes on its fides, through which it is fuppofed to 

 breathe, are eafiiy difcoverable : nine on a fide, rather nearer the belly 

 than the back 5 a hole for every ring of the body, except the fccond, the 



third. 



