36* SOCIETIES OF CATERPILLARS. 
Lucy, Yes, mamma ; and I want to 
know whether many other kinds live in 
Companies like those. 
Mother, There are several species 
which do so ; some live separately till 
nearly half grown, and then unite in so- 
cieties ; others associate for a time, and 
when grown strong enough they sepa- 
rate, and seek their food alone. 
Lucy, I suppose that many sorts al- 
ways live by themselves : how do they 
manage ? 
Mothe7\ They live most commonly on 
leayes, on the under side of which they 
feed, that birds may not see them. Some 
kinds e^en curl one edge of the leaf, and 
attach it to the other part by threads of 
gluey silk : thus making a hollow case 
fitted to its own shape, and open at 
each end. On privet, and on young 
laurel leaves, you may frequently find 
these rolled up dwellings. 
Lucy, I will look this very day on 
the privet hedge, in hopes of seeing 
them. 
