856 INSECTA— CATERPILLAR. 



iy one over the other. If the nest remains unhurt, or wants but little repairs, 

 they make use of them the year ensuing ; and thus they often serve three 

 or four years successively. From the strength of their houses, one would 

 think these bees in perfect security ; yet none are more exposed than they. 

 A worm with very strong teeth is often found to bore into their little fortifica- 

 tions, and devour their young. 



THE CATERPILLAR, 



Though the caterpillar is not a perfect insect, but only a form in which 

 an insect appears in one stage of its existence, and is always destined to 

 assume some other form, yet it is sufficiently interesting to us in this state, 

 to warrant some particular notice of its characteristics. 



The body of the caterpillar, when anatomically considered, is found com- 

 posed of rings, whose circumference is pretty near circular or oval. They 

 are generally twelve in number, and are all membranaceous ; by which 

 caterpillars may be distinguished from any other insect that nearly resem- 

 bles them in form. The head of the caterpillar is connected to the first ring 

 by the neck, which is generally so short and contracted that it is scarcely 

 visible. All the covering of the head in caterpillars seems to consist of shell ; 

 and they have neither upper nor under jaw, for they are both placed rather 

 vertically, and each jaw armed with a large thick tooth, which is singly 

 equal to a number. With these the animals devour their food in such 

 amazing quantities ; and, with these, some of the kind defend themselves 

 against their enemies. Though the mouth be kept shut, the teeth are 

 ♦always uncovered ; and while the insect is in health, they are seldom with- 

 out employment. Whatever the caterpillar devours, these teeth serve to 

 chop into small pieces, and render the parts of the leaf fit for swallowing. 

 Many kinds, while they are yet young, eat only the succulent part of the 

 leaf, and leave all the fibres untouched ; others, however, attack the whole 

 leaf, and eat it clean away. One may be amused, for a little time, in observ- 

 ing the avidity with which they are seen to feed ; some are seen eating the 

 whole day ; others have their hours of repast ; some choose the night, and 

 others the day. When the caterpillar atacks a leaf, it places its body in such 

 a manner, that the edge of the leaf shall fall between its feet, which keeps 



