CHAP. V.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. Ill 



hath, with great diligence, observed, those which have none 

 move upon the earth, or upon broad leaves, their motion being 

 not unlike to the waves of the sea. Some of them he also ob- 

 serves to be bred of the eggs of other caterpillars, and that 

 those in their time turn to be butterflies ; and again, that their 

 eggs turn the following year to be caterpillars. And some 

 affirm, that every plant has his particular fly or caterpillar, 

 which it breeds and feeds. I have seen, and may therefore 

 affirm it* a green caterpillar, or worm, as big as a small peas- 

 cod, which had fourteen legs ; eight on the belly, four under 

 the neck, and two near the tail. It was found on a hedge of 

 privet ; and was taken thence, and put into a large box, and a 

 little branch or two of privet put to it, on which I saw it feed 

 as sharply as a dog gnaws a bone : it lived thus five or six 

 days, and thrived, and changed the color two or three times ; 

 but, by some neglect in the keeper of it, it then 'died and did 

 not turn to a fly : but if it had lived, it had doubtless turned 

 to one of those flies that some call Flies-of- prey, which those 

 that walk by the rivers may, in summer, see fasten on smaller 

 flies, and, I think, make them their food. And 't is observa- 

 ble, that, as there be these Flies-of-prey which be very large, 

 so there be others, very little, created, I think, only to feed 

 them, and breed out of I know not what ; whose life, they say, 

 Nature intended not to exceed an hour ; and yet that life is 

 thus made shorter by other flies, or accident. 



'T is endless to tell you what the curious searchers into 

 Nature's productions have observed of these worms and flies : 

 but yet I shall tell you what Aldrovandus, our Topsel, and 

 others, say of the Palmer- worm or Caterpillar : that whereas 

 others content themselves to feed on particular herbs or leaves, 

 for most think those very leaves that gave them life and 

 shape give them a particular feeding and nourishment, and that 

 tupon them they usually abide ; yet he observes that this is 

 called a Pilgrim or Palmer-worm, for his very wandering life 

 varioug food ; not contenting himself, as others do, with 



