a 
IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 21 
Reaumur, to whom I am indebted for this account, 
has also given us an interesting history of another in- 
sect, the gold-tail-moth before mentioned, whose cater- 
pilars are of this description. ‘They belong to that 
family of Bombyces, which envelop their eggs in hair 
plucked from their own body. As soon as one of these 
young caterpillars is disclosed from the egg, it begins to 
feed; another quickly joins it, placing itself by its side ; 
thus they proceed in ‘succession till a file is formed 
across the leaf: 
a second is then begun; and after this 
is completed, a third—and so they proceed till the whole 
upper surface of the leaf is covered :—but as a single 
leaf will not contain the whole family, the remainder 
take their station upon the adjoining ones. No sooner 
have they satisfied the cravings of hunger, than they be- 
gin to think of erecting a common habitation, which at 
first is only a vaulted web, that covers the leaf they in- 
habit, but by their united labours in due time grows 
into a magnificent tent of silk, containing various apart- 
ments sufficient to defend and shelter them all from the 
attack of enemies and the inclemency of the seasons. 
As our caterpillars, like eastern monarchs, are too deli- 
cate to adventure their feet upon the rough bark of the 
tree upon which they feed, they lay a silken carpet over 
every road and pathway leading to their palace, which 
extends as far as they have occasion to go for food. To 
the habitation just described they retreat during heavy 
rains, and when the sun is too hot:—they likewise pass 
part of the night in them ;—and, indeed, at all times 
some may usually be found at home. Upon any sudden 
alarm they retreat to them for safety, and also when they 
cast their skins :—in the winter they are wholly confined 
