CH. XV.] THE CATERPILLAR. 265 



instead of clothing- themselves in the manner above 

 described, shelter themselves in hollow tubes, which 

 they lengthen as they advance. One species (the 

 Galeria Cerea) establishes its residence among the 

 warlike and well-armed inhabitants of the bee-hive ; 

 where it subsists at the expense of this industrious 

 race, cutting and destroying works which have 

 required the greatest industry and art to execute. 

 It is natural to imagine that the bees do not willingly 

 allow this destruction to be effected by an insect 

 which, when it has reached perfection, is but a con- 

 temptible and effeminate moth, and which in its im- 

 perfect state is merely a worm easily pierced by 

 their sting ; and there can be no doubt that many 

 fall a sacrifice to their just anger. Reaumur has 

 seen several bees chasing a moth all over the hive : 

 the creature, however, ran faster than its pursuers, 

 and after much twisting and turning, got between 

 the interstices and the corners of the cells, where 

 it remained entirely beyond the reach of its enemies. 

 In this situation of perfect security the moth lays 

 its eggs : from these eggs, in the proper season, 

 worms proceed, which instantly attack the wax for 

 the purpose of constructing a gallery. Each cater- 

 pillar has its own distinct gallery, which is a winding 

 tube, sometimes eighteen inches long : no part of 

 the comb is safe, and the devastation committed is 

 sometimes so great, that its legitimate inhabitants 

 are often compelled to quit the hive. The interior 

 of these tubes is lined with silk. It constitutes one 

 of the curious anomalies which are to be met with 

 in the works of nature, that bees, which in other 

 respects perform wonders, should never attempt to 

 destroy these tubes — they will eat away paper and 

 cut wood ; yet they have never been known to touch 

 these long galleries, which perforate and destroy 

 their combs in every direction. 

 Z 



