OF THE fae:^ axd gaedex. 



157 



is fiillj formed by the time Trinter comes on. They hatch 

 with the first warm weather, in S23ring — generally from 

 the middle to the last of March — and though the buds of 

 their food-plant may not have opened at the time, and 

 though it may freeze severely afterwards, yet these little 

 creatures are wonderfully hardy, and can fast for three 

 whole weeks, if need be, and withstand any amount of 

 inclement weather. The very moment these little larvae 

 are born, they commence spinning a web wherever they 

 go. At this time they are black with pale hairs, and are 

 always found either huddled together or travelling in file 

 along the silken 2^aths which they form when in search 

 of food. In about two weeks from the time they com- 

 mence feeding they go through their first moult, having 

 first grown paler or of a light yellowish-brown, with the 

 extremities rather darker than the middle of the body, 

 with the little warts which give rise to the hairs quite 

 distinct, and a conspicuotis dark interrupted line each 

 side of the back. After the first moult, they are cliarac- 

 terized principally by two pale-yellowish subdorsal lines, 

 which border what was before the dark line above de- 

 scribed. After the second moult, which takes place in 

 about a week from the first, the characteristic pale spots 

 on the back appear, the upper pale line becomes yellow, 

 the lower one white, and the space between them bluish: 

 indeed, the characters of the mature larva are from this 

 period apparent. Very soon they undergo a third moult, 

 after which the colors all become more distinct and fresh, 

 the head and anal plate have a soft bluish velvety appear- 

 ance, and the hairs seem more dense. After undergoing 

 a fourth moult without material change in appearance, 

 they acquire their full growth in about six weeks from 

 the time of first feeding. At this time they appear as at 

 figure 103. 



At this stage of its growth the Tent-caterpillar of the 

 Forest may be seen wandering singly over different trees, 



