MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



in length are spun, running from the top down one side, 

 up the other, and the cut ends drawn closely together. 

 One writer states that this silk has no commercial value; 

 while Packard thinks it has. I attach greater weight to 

 his opinion. Next comes the inner case. For this the cater- 

 pillar loosens its hold and completely surrounds itself with 

 a small case of compact work. This in turn is saturated 

 with the glue and forms in a thick, tough case, rough on the 

 outside, the top not so solidly spun as the other walls; 

 inside dark brown and worn so smooth it seems as if 

 oiled, from the turning of the caterpillar. In this little 

 chamber close the length and circumference of an aver- 

 age sized woman's two top joints of the first finger, the 

 caterpillar transforms to the pupa stage, crowding its 

 cast skin in a wad at the bottom. 



At time for emergence the moth bursts the pupa case, 

 which is extremely thin and papery compared with the 

 cases of burrowing species. We know by the wet moth 

 that liquid is ejected, although we cannot see the wet spot 

 on the top of the inner case of Cecropia as we can with 

 Polyphemus, that does not spin the loose outer case and 

 silk nest. From here on the moths emerge according to 

 species. Some work with their mouths and fore feet. 

 Some have rough projections on the top of the head, and 

 others little sawlike arrangements at the bases of the 

 wings. In whatever manner they free themselves, all 

 of them are wet when they leave their quarters. Some- 



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