OF SOCIABLE CATERPILLARS. 99 



uncertain how to proceed. I took each of them up 

 in its turn, and, with a view to ascertain the range 

 of their vision, placed them at different distances 

 from the main body, with their heads turned towards 

 it, and I found that they uniformly remained quite 

 unconscious of its presence, until placed within half 

 an inch of each other. They then approached with 

 evident eagerness, and were readily admitted into 

 the line, by the rear halting until they had taken 

 their places. 



" I put one of these stragglers in front, with his 

 tail to the leader's head, but he pertinaciously 

 refused the honour of conducting the line ; a consider- 

 able sensation seemed to be communicated through 

 the whole body at this attempt at usurpation, of 

 which they seemed to become aware, but by what 

 means I could not discover. As soon as this forced 

 usurper was at liberty, he turned round to the leader, 

 who repulsed him with vigour, and hit at him, upon 

 which he retreated hurriedly along the line, constantly 

 trying to get into his place, but was hit at by every 

 one as he ran the gauntlet, till at last a good- 

 natured friend permitted him to join the line. I then 

 took out the large one, who was obviously a stupid 

 fellow, when the rear immediately closed up the 

 breach. I placed him at the head, and used every 

 inducement to make him take the lead, but in vain. 

 He seemed much confused by the buffets given to 

 him by the active little Bonaparte whom I wished 

 him to supplant, so that probably he would have 



