THE CATERPILLAR KIND. 165 



still more a stinging like that of nettles, which follows upon 

 handling the greatest number of them, make these insects not 

 the most agreeable objects of human curiosity. However, there 

 are many philosophers who have spent years in their contem- 

 plation, and who have not only attended to their habits and 

 labours, hut minutely examined their structure and internal con- 

 formation. 



The body of the caterpillar, when anatomically considered, is 

 found composed 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 many other insects that nearly resemble them in form. 

 The head of the caterpillar is connected to the first ring by the 

 neck, that is generally so short and contracted that it is scarcely 

 visible. All the covering of the head in caterpillars seems to 

 consist of a 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 numbers. 

 With these the animals devour their food in such amazing quan- 

 tities ; 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 without employment. Whatever the caterpillar devours, 

 these teeth serve to chop it into small pieces, and render the 

 parts of the leaf fit for swallowing. Many kinds, while they 

 arc 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 observing 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 attacks a leaf, it places its body in such a manner 

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

 it steady while the teeth are employed in cutting it ; these fall 

 upon the leaf somewhat in the manner of a pair of gardener'3 

 shears, and every morsel is swallowed as soon as cut. Some 

 caterpillars feed upon leaves so very narrow, that they are not 

 broader than their mouths ; in this case the animal is seen to 

 devour it from the point, as we would eat a radish. 



As there are various kinds of caterpillars, the number of their 

 feet are various, some having eight, and some sixteen. Of these 

 feet the six foremost are covered with a sort of shining gristle, 

 and are therefore called the shelly legs. The hindmost feet, 

 whatever be their number, are soft and flexible, and are called 

 membranaceous. Caterpillars, also, with regard to their exter- 

 nal figure, are either smooth or hairy. The skin of the first 



