10 
THE ART OF REARING 
is not entirely consumed, there is lodged within a 
caterpillar, which is not yet transformed into a 
perfect animal. 
Every kind of caterpillar does not eat during 
the day ; a great number of them feed only in the 
morning and evening : some only during the night : 
their voracity, however, is so great, that in a short 
time they destroy a quantity of food, a hundred, 
and even a thousand times greater than their own 
weight. (Chap. XIV.) 
In general each kind of caterpillar lives upon a 
particular kind of plant; still, notwithstanding, 
they devour many plants, because the taste of 
almost every species is different: happily for us, 
the leaf of the mulberry is confined to the silk- 
worm. 
Not only is there a sort of aversion for cater- 
pillars in general, but we think some of them are 
venemous, which however is not the case. The 
itching and slight inflammation produced by the 
touch of a caterpillar that has a velvety coat, is 
considered as a proof of venom ; but nettles pro- 
duce the same effect. 
Nature has appointed four methods for the pre- 
servation of all kinds of caterpillars during the 
severity of winter, in which they would all 
probably die, if they were not directed by their 
instinct. 
Many sorts preserve their embryo during winter, 
