J\Ir. Skene on the Emigration of Caterpillars. 287 



pation, of which they seemed to become aware, but by what 

 means 1 could not discern. As soon as this forced usurper 

 was at Hberty, he turrred round to the leader, who repulsed 

 him with vigour, and bit at him ; upon which he retreated 

 hurriedly along the line, constantly trying to get into his 

 place, but was bit at by every one as he nm the gauntlet, 

 till at last a good natured friend permitted him to join the 

 line. I then look 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 induce- 

 ment to make him take the lead, but in vain. He seemed 

 much confused by the hearty OufFets given to him by the ac- 

 tive little Bonaparte whom I wished him to supplant, so that 

 he probably would have failed in regaining his place, had I 

 not given him some assistance out of sympathy, for the dis- 

 tress my experiment had occasioned him. He seemed 

 delighted to get into his place again ; but was so much con- 

 fused by the adventure, that he mistook the first sharp turn 

 the line came to, and threw the whole rear into confusion. 

 They broke their line, and much consternation and bustle 

 ensued, until each had replaced his head close to his neigh- 

 bour's tail. 



I now took up the leader, obviously less, though more ac- 

 tive and intelligent than the rest, when the alarm instantly 

 spread over the whole line. I expected the second to take 

 the command, but he seemed the most distressed of any, and 

 eagerly sought about from side to side, and in his perplexity 

 he turned quite around, as if consulting with his follower* 

 The hesitation and confusion was now universal. Various 

 parties broke off as the impression reached the rear, and 

 sought anxiously about, returning again to the line. Having 

 replaced the leader at the head, he instantly took the com- 

 mand, advancing with confidence, and conducting the whole 

 line in perfect order. When I now interrupted their march, 

 the main body no longer exhibited their former anxiety and 

 impatience when the leader was removed, but seemed to 

 wait with perfect composure and confidence, until the ob- 

 struction was overcome, which the leader used every means 

 and ingenuity to accomplish. It did not occur to me till I 

 had left these amusing travellers, to try the experiment of 

 placing the leader in the rear, in order to observe how he 

 would bear the degradation, and to ascertain if the head of 

 the column would have been thereby changed. 



