PORCUPINE CATERPILLAR 
It is probable that Nature, whose instni£i:s 
are always dire6ted to a due preservation of 
all her offspring, qualifies these inse61;s witiv 
the power to form such armed coverings as 
are likely to have a repulsive effect on the ap- 
petites of birds, or other animib; for the pur- 
pose of saving from destrudtion the entire 
species, which might otherwise fall a prey to 
tlieir known voracity. 
In our annexed print, the Porcupine Cater- 
pillar is seen crawhng from it's case on the 
branch of a Gum Tree ; and, underneath, 
on another part, appears the case alone, 
attached closely by the chief aperture, to shew 
the maimer in which the little animal in- 
srantaneously a6ts, whenever it is alarmed by 
the dread of danger. 
