OF SOCIABLE CATERPILLARS. 103 



reared up, moving his head from side to side, as if 

 gazing at it, or wilHng to reach some comer ; and 

 leading his troop round, he frequently performed the 

 same examination, until they reached a small bush, 

 round the stem of which he ascended, the long line 

 following with perfect confidence, and by means of 

 a, branch of the bush, they attained footing on the 

 stone. 



" Traversing the stone, the opposite side of which 

 was quite precipitous, and pretty high, it became 

 uncommonly interesting to see how this intelligent 

 general would proceed. He examined with accuracy, 

 trying every possible break, during which time the 

 main body remained patiently waiting, and without 

 making the slightest attempt to assist in the exa- 

 mination, which their leader conducted with much 

 activity and solicitude. At length, after having 

 ascertained the pass to be quite impracticable, he 

 resolved upon a countermarch, which was instantly 

 perfonned with the most surprising regularity. For 

 the whole line in succession advanced to the wheeling 

 point on the brink before they turned, perfomiing 

 the evolution with as perfect precision as the best 

 trained troops, the advancing and retreating lines 

 passing close alongside of each other, and even climb- 

 ing the same twig, while the front line descended 

 without confusion, passing even over each other's 

 bodies without interruption or hesitation. 



" Having completed their descent in the same 



