Upon the back of their emaciated host they pro- 

 ceeded to spin for themselves marvelous little 

 cocoons of w^hite silk vs^hich they did in a very 

 brief time. Moving their heads this vv^ay and that 

 they spun the fine threads about themselves until 

 they were completely enveloped. Here were a 

 great number of little spinners, making for them- 

 selves garments of silk, and at last spinning them- 

 selves out of sight. The caterpillar now bristled 

 with the small white cocoons which stood upon 

 end on its back, where they were attached, and 

 almost hid it from view. 



The wary caterpillar has many foes. If it 

 escapes the hungry warblers and vireos, there is 

 still the army of goggle-eyed wasps and nervous 

 ichneumons to circumvent. Yet a prodigious num- 

 ber survive. Were it not for their enemies they 

 would overrun the earth. The butterflies sporting 

 in the sunshine, and the small moths flitting about 

 the lamp, have come through many perils, and 

 may almost be said to have lived by their wits, so 

 astonishing are the ruses they have devised to 

 deceive their pursuers. 



93 



