36 
PLANTS ANTD INSECTS 
Another pugilist is the caterpillar of the pandorus sphinx-moth. 
He has an attitude that is more that of a saucy little boy with his hands 
up, ready to strike if he has to do so. He not only draws back his head 
and raises his body, hut his ‘ ‘ feet ’ ’ look like doubled-up fists ready for 
action. He is not as dignified a pugilist as young Mr. Polyphemus! 
Because of his swollen shape, this fellow is known as the hog-caterpillar. 
—Selected. 
SPRINGTIME IN THE WOODS 
. It is springtime in the woods, 
The unkept woods. 
Though the trees still naked stand— 
Stripped of all their beauty grand— 
As they did through winter’s blast 
Which so recently has passed, 
Still ’tis springtime in the woods. 
See! already swell the buds 
On the trees, and bushes too; 
Soon the blossoms will peep through. 
Snow and ice have disappeared; 
Brooks and rivulets have cleared 
Rubbish from beneath the trees, 
Aided by the roguish breeze. 
Soon the unkept woods will be 
Nature’s fairest spot to see. 
It is springtime in the woods, 
The naked woods. 
Down, down in the ground so deep, 
Where the grass and flowers sleep 
Through the long, cold winter days, 
Have been felt the first warm rays 
Of spring sunshine, bright and fair, 
Rousing every sleeper there. 
Blades of grass begin to grow, 
Soon above the ground they’ll show; 
Flowers, too, lift up their heads 
From their cozy winter beds; 
Buds and blossoms soon will be 
