CATERPILLARS. 31 



in general through four distinct stages of existence. 

 They are first contained in eggs deposited by the 

 parent. They then become active and rapacious, 

 and in this state some tribes are known by the com- 

 mon names of maggots, grubs, or caterpillars, all of 

 which are included by naturalists in the term larvse. 

 Every one is familiar with their appearance, and 

 few unacquainted with their destructive powers. 

 They have furnished Shakspeare on many occasions 

 with appropriate metaphors. Thus the creatures of 

 Richard are termed by Bolingbroke " the caterpillars 

 of the Commonwealth," (King Richard II., Act II. 

 Sc. IV.), and the Duke of York's reflection on the 

 destruction of his hopes, is, 



"Tlius are my blossoms blasted in the bud. 

 And caterpillars eat my leaves away." 



Second Part Henry VI., Act III. Sc. I. 



" False caterpillars " is the epithet bestowed by 

 Jack Cade and his " ragged multitude " on their 

 opponents ; but never is the image employed in a 

 manner more just, and yet more melancholy, than 

 when in King Richard II. the gardener enters into 

 a colloquy with his attendant on the state of the 

 kingdom, while the queen, who had entered " to 

 drive away the hea\'y thoughts of care," becomes a 

 concealed listener to their discourse. Instead of 



