266 WALKING BRANCHES. 



complete, this caterpillar sprig of the hawthorn, in common 

 with others of branch-like semblance, is in the habit, when at 

 rest, of stretching himself out stiff and straight, at right angles 

 with the twig whereon he reposes; and thus remaining for 

 hours motionless, supported only by the grasp of his hind 

 legs, and a single thread proceeding from his mouth. This is 

 the caterpillar of a very common yellow moth, with reddish 

 markings, called the Brimstone, 1 and belongs to a family 

 known to collectors as Geometers, Measurers, Loopers, and 

 Surveyors. 



In the month of May, or beginning of June, we may often, 

 by careful looking for, find a branch of elder supporting its 

 very image in a caterpillar, 2 which is perhaps the most re- 

 'markable of the above singular family a withered-looking, 

 stick-like creature, knobbed and ringed and coloured, and even 

 cracked after the exact pattern of the browner stalks of its 

 native tree. This most perfect simulator, like others of his 

 simulating relatives, aids the deception of his figure by his 

 branch-like attitudes and branch-like quietude (often main- 

 tained from morning till night), at which latter period he 

 mostly prefers to exercise both his jaws and locomotive powers. 

 After the usual changes, this curious caterpillar becomes, about 

 July, a pale sulphur-coloured moth, remarkable for the elegant 

 cut of its angular pinions, of which the hinder pair, being 

 prolonged into acute tails, have given it the name of " Swal- 

 low Tail. 3 



So much for walking-branches of British growth ; neither, 

 as aforesaid, is a walking-/eo/* a wonder to be seen alive only 

 in foreign parts. We must wait, perhaps, till the arrival of 

 July ; but then, if with eyes prepared, w r e look amongst the 

 foliage of a mingled hedge, we are likely to detect, on a bram- 

 ble, a hawthorn, or a blackthorn, or may be on a willow, a leaf 

 endued with life more than vegetative, albeit offeuille morte 



1 Rumia cratagata. 8 Vignette. 3 Ourapterix sambucaria. 



