MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



second pair that join in forming the under Hp. There 

 is also the tube that connects with the silk glands and 

 ends in the spinneret. Through this tube a fluid is 

 forced that by movements of the head the caterpillar 

 attaches where it will and draws into fine threads that at 

 once harden in silk. This organism is sufficiently devel- 

 oped for use in a newly emerged caterpillar, for it can 

 spin threads by which to drop from leaf to leaf or to guide 

 it back to a starting point. 



The thorax is covered by the first three rings behind 

 the head, and on it are six legs, two on each segment. 

 The remainder of the caterpillar is abdominal and car- 

 ries small pro-legs with which to help it cling to twigs 

 and leaves, and the heavy anal props that support the 

 vent. By using these and several of the pro-legs immedi- 

 ately before them, the caterpillar can cling and erect the 

 front part of the body so that it can strike from side to 

 side when disturbed. In the case of caterjiillars that 

 have a horn, as Celeus,or sets of them as Regalis, in this 

 attitude they really appear quite formidable, and often 

 I have seen them drive away small birds, while many 

 people flee shrieking. 



There are little tubes that carry air to the trachea, 

 as caterpillars have no lungs and can live with a very 

 small amount of air. 



The skin may be rough, granulated, or soft and fine 

 as silk, and in almost every instance of exquisite colour: 



61 



