THE ECONOMY OF COSSUS LIGNIPERDA. 417 



branch, under which it rocked to and fro in every gust of wind. But upon nearer 

 examination, even before the young were hatched, I found the cordages broken 

 in several places, and displaying in the interstices tht> real supports of the nest, 

 namely, slender twigs that run down each rope, and were firmly fixed into the 

 bottom of the nest. This present year I have not been able to obtain one spe- 

 cimen. 



From this it would seem, that when' the cordage is used, which is only in 

 particular cases, it is not for any support to the nest, but for the purpose of 

 bringing into play certain leaves and branches, until the time that the nest is 

 firmly fixed to them. During the period of incubation these little birds are re- 

 markably tame, not only allowing the branch to be lifted up, but the nest to 

 be touched, without alarm. 



Within, the nest is about one inch and a quarter in diameter, and two inches 

 and a quarter in depth ; but it is much deeper on the outside, being firmly 

 and compactly made. 



Swinhope House, Lincolnshire, 

 September 1, 1837. 



REMARKABLE FACT RESPECTING THE ECONOMY OF 



Cossus ligniperda. 



By R. H.'Cowlishaw. 



Having paid some attention to the study of Entomology, nothing has more 

 astonished me than the wonderful economy of the Cossus ligniperda ; and al- 

 though much interesting and valuable information has already been afforded by 

 eminent and distinguished naturalists, I feel assured by their continued research 

 much more will be acquired than we are yet in possession of, perhaps to facilitate 

 this object. 



It perhaps may not be unworthy of observation or notice in your valuable 

 publication, for those who are not in possession of the fact, and those who are 

 disposed to investigate the wonderful phenomena of this interesting insect, that 

 the larva is capable of living to a surprising length of time without sustenance or 

 food, and also without preventing its coming to maturity or the perfect imago, a« 

 the following circumstance will corroborate. 



On the 13th of June, 1836, I took an excursion for the purpose of procuring a 

 few specimens of the Cossus, in company with an intelligent naturalist, in the 

 neighbourhood of Nottingham, where they so greatly abound amongst the Willow- 



