32 CATERriLLAR OF THE OAK. 
Mother. Very probably you may find 
them on either of your favourite trees, as 
both oak and lime are inhabited by seve- 
ral different species. There is one very 
remarkable kind on the oak, which is 
often met with in France, hut has not 
yet been discovered in England. 
Lucy, Dear mamma, do pray describe 
it to me. 
Blother, It is hairy, of a middling 
size, and a dark red brown colour -y the 
generality of caterpillars live singly, but 
of this species, large numbers, perhaps 
three or four hundred, assemble to- 
gether. 
Lucy, Three or four hundred ! what 
an amazing number. How very curious 
a sight that must be ! 
Mother, They are very industrious 
and very friendly, giving their mutual 
labour for the benefit of the community; 
they spin in concert a sort of roof or 
covering of brown silk, the edge of Avhich 
they fasten to the stem of the tree, leaving 
little openings, or doorways, for creeping 
