Teachers' Leaflet. 



545 



least once a week. The advantage of keeping them outside is that they will not 

 issue until the leaves appear upon the trees, so that there will be food for the 

 young caterpillars to eat as soon as the eggs hatch; while those kept in the house 

 usually come out earlier and there is no chance for rearing the caterpillars. 



LESSON CXIL 

 the moth. 



Purpose. — To call the pupil's attention to the v^^ay the moth gets 

 out of the cocoon and to familiarize them with the color and markings 

 of the insect. 



One cocoon should have been opened so that the pupils may see the 

 pupa of the moth, so that they w^ill know that before the moth can issue 



from the cocoon it is obliged to shed the pupa skin. After this is done 

 it throws from its mouth a quantity of fluid which dissolves the gum 

 which holds the silk of the cocoon together. This enables the moth to 

 push the valve end of the cocoon open. Note that on each side of the 

 head are two little, horny hooks, which may be felt rather than seen; 

 these assist the insect in pulling itself out. The scratching sound heard 

 in the cocoon before the moth emerges is largely made by these hooks 

 rubbing against the stiff silken lining. Note that as the insect issues 

 the body and wings are all soft and wet; otherwise it could not come 

 through so small an opening. Soon after issuing the crumpled wings 

 spread out and dry and the matted covering of the body becomes fluffy 

 and feathery. Have the pupils describe, or better still, draw the 



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