372 Rev. L. GuizpiNG on the Natural History of Oiketicus, 
could take place: for there was no appearance of an opening at 
the extremity of the puparium (Kirby), nor could I detect the 
reproductive organs in the thoracic portion of the body, which 
might have been approached inter nuptias. While engaged in |. 
pressing and examining the male organs under the micro- 
scope, I discovered the extensile extremity of the penis, ad- 
 mirably adapted by its extraordinary length and flexibility for. 
the sexual intercourse, which appears to terminate in the de- 
struction of the male. It is highly improbable that the perfect 
insects have been seen in Europe; for no sooner has the male 
arisen from his pupal slumber, than he begins, even before the 
full expansion of his wings, to flutter about with so much vio- 
lence that his beauty has commonly disappeared before the en- 
tomologist can secure him. It is well known to the European 
naturalist, that the females of several Lepidopterous insects are 
nearly apterous: but I believe all at present described possess 
the rudiments of wings and antennz, with perfect feet. The 
female of Phalena antiqua of Linn., which I have often collected 
when a boy, not only quits the folliculus, but, copulá juncta, en- 
joys with its partner the pleasures of the open fields. Here, 
however, we have an animal which in its adult state is for ever 
excluded from the light, and never even beholds the mate to 
which it is indebted for its progeny. After impregnation, the 
female begins to fill the bottom of its puparium with her ova 
closely packed in the down rubbed from her body ; and having 
performed this duty, either presses herself through the thoracic 
carina, reduced to a shrivelled morsel of dried and scarcely ani- 
mated skin, or dies within the case. 
The young soon force their way out of the puparium which 
had served for the defence of the ova, and spreading about the 
tree (an innumerable host), prepare themselves an habitation 
before their first repast. 
Dido. 
