54 
NATURE’S CRAFTSMEN 
part of man to await the issue. For, while they 
are only going a short distance by our standards, 
to the caterpillars the way seems long and toil¬ 
some, and it is perhaps a good two hours before 
they bring up at a spot where the soil is powdery 
and dry enough to make digging easy. Every 
now and then the caterpillar at the head of the 
row pauses and digs a little. The others wait in 
sublime trust; whatever his judgment, they will 
follow him implicitly. A half dozen or more 
trials may be made before the leader is satisfied, 
and settles down to real digging. Then the line 
breaks into a swarming heap, and shortly the cat¬ 
erpillar backs are joggling in unison, as their feet 
and jaws make the loose soil fly. Little by little 
each one ‘ digs himself in,’ and presently there is 
nothing to show of their presence but a little 
mole-like ridge rising and sinking, quivering with 
the haste of the eager burrowers; then all is still. 
The caterpillars are safe in their sand cradles, 
some two or three inches down, and after a short 
rest, will begin to wrap themselves in a cocoon. 
“ The latter part of July or August the pine 
moths come forth. They are delicate creatures 
with flimsy wings and great sweeping plumes: 
how do they ever manage to force their way out 
through the hard rain-washed, sun-baked soil, 
without utterly ruining their finery? ” 
“ I know,” cried Tommy, eagerly. “ I’ve seen 
