10 nuTTEnFLV COLLECTOR'S 



known by the name of Caterpillars. Tlie body of the Cater- 

 pillar, when anatomically considered, is found composed of 

 rings, whose circninference is nearly circular ; they are 

 fjonerally twelve in number, and are membraneous. The 

 bead of the Cateqiillar is attached to the first ring by the 

 neck. The general shape of their bodies is cylindrical, and 

 a few of them are transparent ; the contour of their head 

 being usually entire and unbroken. Some are quite naked 

 and .smooth, or rough only with granular elevations, or 

 tubercles. A considerable number are clothed with hair or 

 bristle.s, and some armed with .spines so still' as to pierce 

 the skin. Bonnet remarks, that a greatnumberof Lepidop- 

 terous larval have between the under lip and fore legs a 

 slender transverse opening, containing a teat-like protube- 

 rance, which they can either wholly retract and conceal, or 

 by pressure extend to the length of one of the legs. The use 

 of this is not clearly known ; some have supposed it to be 

 a second spinneret, and to be of service in fabricatuig the 

 cocoon ; but it is more prol)able that it secretes some other 

 kind of fluid, and is connected with defence, and is intended 

 to drive away the Ichneumons which reign over the whole 

 of the Lepidoptcrous lurvte with undisputed sway. It is the 

 opinion of many entomologists that the long hairs, stifl' 

 bristles, sharj) spines, and hard prominences which distin- 

 guish others, are also afti)rded as a means of defence. This 

 is rendered more probable by the fact, that in several in- 

 stances the animals so distinguished, previously to their 

 assuming the pupa, appear with a smooth skin. They are 

 furnished also with imlpi,}aw», six little eyes on each side of 

 the head, and spiracles or oval openings, through which the 

 insect breathes ; the colour of which is often so contra.stcd 

 with the rest of the body, as to produce a striking eflect. 

 This contrast is frequently rendered more obvious by their 



