the grain.

M. Homberg informs us that, in Surinam, there is a species of ant
called by the natives the _visiting ant_. These animals march in large
troops, with the same order and precision as do a regularly-constituted
army. They are welcome visitors to the natives, on account of their
power of exterminating rats, mice, and other noxious animals, with
which that country abounds. No sooner do they appear, than all the
coffers, chests of drawers, and locked-up places in the house, are
thrown open for them, when they immediately commence their work of
destruction of animal life, as if commissioned by nature for that
purpose. The only regret of the natives is, that they pay their visits
but once in three or four years.

Two ants meeting on a path across a gravel-walk, one going to and the
other from the nest, stop, touch each other's antennae, and appear to
hold a conversation. One would almost fancy that one was communicating
to the other the best place for foraging.

THE CATERPILLAR.

A curious species of manufacture was contrived by an officer of
engineers residing at Munich. It consisted of lace veils, with open
patterns on them, made entirely by caterpillars. Having made a paste of
the leaves of the plant on which the insect feeds, he spread it thinly
over a stone, or other flat substance, of the required size. He then,
with a camel's hair pencil dipped in olive oil, drew a pattern he
wished the insects to leave open. This stone was then placed in an
inclined position, and a number of caterpillars were placed at the
bottom. A peculiar species was chosen, which spins a strong web, and
the animals commenced at the bottom, eating and spinning their way up
to the top, carefully avoiding every part touched by the oil, but
devouring every other part of the paste. The extreme lightness of these
veils, combined with their strength, is surprising.

THE BUTTERFLY.

In June, 1826, a column of butterflies, from ten to fifteen feet broad,
was seen to pass over Neufchatel, in Switzerland; the passage lasted
upwards of two hours, without any interruption, from the moment when
the insects were observed.

THE MOTH.

A moth was once caught, at Arracan, which measured ten inches from the
tip of one wing to the tip of the other, both being variegated with the
brightest colors.

THE SILKWORM.

The great care bestowed upon this creature in China is shown in
the following extract from an old work: "The place where the