OF SOCIABLE CATERPILLARS. 1 ().j 



tail to the leader's head, but he pertinaeiouslj' re- 

 fused the honour of conducting the line ; a consider- 

 able sensation seemed to be communicated through 

 the whole body at this attempt at usurpation, of 

 which they seemed to become aware, but by what 

 means I could not discover. As soon as this forced 

 usurper was at liberty, lie turned round to the leader, 

 who repulsed him with vigour, and hit at him, upon 

 which he retreated hurriedly along the line, con- 

 stantly trying to get into his place, but was hit at by 

 every one as he ran the gauntlet, till at last a good- 

 natured firiend pennitted him to join the line. I then 

 took 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 

 inducement to make him take the lead, but in vain. 

 He seemed much confused by the buffets given to 

 him by the active little Bonaparte whom I wished 

 him to supplant, so that probably he would have 

 failed in regaining his place, had I not given him 

 some assistance, out of sympathy for the distress my 

 experiment occasioned him. He seemed delighted 

 to get into his place again, but was so much confused 

 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 con- 

 sternation and bustle ensued, until each had replaced 

 his head close to his neighbour's tail. 



