90 OF SOCIABLE CATERPILLARS. 



are hatched, over which they construct an awning, 

 composed of silken filaments, stretched from one end 

 to the other. In some cases, where the colony is 

 numerous, they construct two leaves in this manner, 

 where they reside for some days, until they have 

 gained sufficient strength to fit them for a larger and 

 more complete work, sufficient to contain the whole 

 colony. In the formation of their new habitation, 

 they do not adopt any symmetrical shape, except 

 that it is always angular ; sometimes it is flat, 

 and frequently roundish. Their first operation is to 

 spin a close and well united silken web round the 

 end of two or three twigs, and the leaves attached to 

 them, adjoining each other, and as close as possible 

 to their original abode, taking care it will be large 

 enough to accommodate them when they shall have 

 arrived at maturity. They then proceed to divide 

 the interior into apartments, by partition walls of 

 woven silk, and an appropriate door is left in each. 

 These are their retreats in rainy or stormy weather ; 

 for, when the day is fine, they spread themselves over 

 all the adjoining leaves, for the purpose of feeding. 

 These creatures are sure prognostics of the weather ; 

 for some considerable time before bad weather, they are 

 sensible of its approach, and speedily retire to their 

 cells. In these, also, they repose during the periods 

 when changing their skins. As soon as winter sets in, 

 the whole society shut themselves up in this abode, 

 which, by repeated layers of silk, they have rendered 

 impervious to the rain and wind. Here they con- 

 tinue in a torpid state till the beginning of April, if 



