150 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



and are entirely constructed of silk, the fibres of which are very much 

 stronger than those of the common silk worm Bombyx mori. This silk 

 has been worked to a limited extent and manufactured into socks and 

 other articles, which have been found very durable ; but a drawback to 

 the advancement of this branch of industry lies in the fact that the cater- 

 pillars do not bear confinement well, and hence are not easily reared. 



The exterior structure of the cocoon is very close and papery-like, but 

 on cutting through this, we find the interior — surrounding the dark brown 

 chrysalis — made up of loose fibres of strong yellow silk. This snug 

 enclosure effectually protects the insect in its dormant state from the 

 extremes of weather during the long wintry months. When the time 

 approaches for the escape of the moth, which is about the beginning of 

 June, the internal dark brown chrysalis is ruptured by the struggles of the 

 occupant, and the newly born moth begins to work its way out of the 

 cocoon. As it is possessed of no cutting instrument of any kind, this 

 would indeed be a hopeless task had not the all-wise Creator made a spe- 

 cial provision for this purpose, and to this end a fluid adapted for softening 

 the fibres is furnished just at this juncture and secreted from about the 

 mouth. On listening to the creature as it works its way through, you 

 hear a scraping, tearing sound, which is made by the insect working 

 with the claws on its fore-feet, tearing away the softened fibres and pack- 

 ing them on each side to make a channel for its escape. The place of 

 exit is the smaller end of the cocoon, which is more loosely made than 

 any other part and through which, after the internal obstacles are over- 

 come, the passage is effected without much further trouble. 



I have frequently watched their escape. First through the opening is 

 thrust the anterior pair of bushy looking legs, the sharp claws of which 

 fasten on the outside structure ; then with an effort the head is drawn 

 forward, suddenly displaying the beautiful feather-like antennae ; next, the 

 thorax, on which is borne the other two pairs of legs, is liberated, and 

 finally, the escape is completed by the withdrawal of the abdomen, through 

 the orifice thus made. Queer looking creatures they are when they first 

 put in an appearance, with their large, fat, juicy bodies, and tiny wings. 

 When the wings are fully expanded they measure from five to six inches or 

 more across, but when fresh from the chrysalis they are but very little 

 larger than the wings of a bumble bee. The first necessity now for the 

 welfare of the individual is to find a suitable location where the wings 

 may be held in a good position for expanding, for without such favorable 



