668 



INSECTS AB];OAn. 



the lower wings are dark brown, approaching to black. The 

 insect is a native of Para. 



The two figures here given represent the male and female of 

 the Processionary Moth, an insect which, happily for us, has 

 not taken up its residence in England. The smaller figure 

 represents the male and the larger the female. The colour is 

 pale brown, with markings of a darker brown, and tlie female is 

 altogether darker as well as larger than her mate. 



The insect derives its name from the singular haljits of the 

 caterpillars, which, wlien full-fed, set off in company to seek a 



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Fig. 4U3. — Boinbyx piocebsumeii 

 (Pale brown, ;iiarked witli dark brown. ) 



place of repose in which they can pass their pupal state. This 

 journey they accomplish in single file, one taking the lead, the 

 next burying his head in the hairy tail of his predecessor, and 

 so on until a long and continuous line is formed. A sym- 

 pathetic feeling exists between them, for, if the leader should 

 halt even for a moment, the whole line also halts ; while, if one 

 of them be pushed aside, the one next in order moves up in 

 double-quick time, followed by its successors, so as to leave the 

 line unbroken. 



These caterpillars are doubly disliked by the people. In the 

 first place they are terribly destructive to vegetation, and in the 

 next, their hairs, like those of several British caterpillars, liave a 

 horribly irritating quality, and are said to penetrate through 

 the clothes and so to enter the skin. Some persons aver that 

 they make their way even througli thick boots, but this I take 



