456 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



two pieces that compose it would be very simple ; but 

 the different shape of the two ends renders it necessary 

 that each side should have peculiar and dissimilar cur- 

 vatures ; and Reaumur assures us, that these are as 

 complex and difficult to imitate as the contours of the 

 pieces of cloth that compose the back of a coat. Some 

 of this tribe, whose proceedings I had the pleasure of 

 witnessing a short time since upon the alders in the Hull 

 Botanic Garden, more ingenious than their brethren, 

 and willing to save the labour of sewing up two seams in 

 their dwelling, insinuate themselves near the edge of a 

 leaf instead of in its middle. Here they form their ex- 

 cavation, mining into the very crenatures between the 

 two surfaces of the leaf, which, being joined together at 

 the edge, there form one seam of the case, and from their 

 dentated figure give it a very singular appearance, not 

 unlike that of some fishes which have fins upon their 

 backs. The opposite side they are necessarily forced to 

 cut and sew up, but even in this operation they show an 

 ingenuity and contrivance worthy of admiration. The 

 moths, which cut out their suit from the middle of the 

 leaf, wholly detach the two surfaces that compose it be- 

 fore they proceed to join them together, the serrated in- 

 cisions made by their teeth, which, if they do not cut as 

 fast, in this respect are more effective than any scissors, 

 interlacing each other so as to support the separated 

 portions until they are properly joined. But it is ob- 

 vious that this process cannot be followed by those 

 moths which cut out their house from the edge of a leaf. 

 If these were to detach the inner side before they had 

 joined the two pieces together, the builder as well as his 

 dwelling would uievitably fall. They therefore, before 



