168 



INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



will perhaps make the process clearer than a more 

 detailed account. 



Leaf-rolling Cateriyillars of the Sorrel, 



This caterpillar, like those of which we have 

 already spoken, devours all the interior of the roller. 

 It weaves, also, in the interior, a small and thin co- 

 coon of white silk, the tissue of which is made com- 

 pact and close. It is then transformed into a chiy- 

 sahs. 



The caterpillars of two of our largest and hand- 

 somest butterflies, the Painted Lady ( Cynihia cardni, 

 Stephens), and the Admirable, or Jllderman of the 

 'London fly-fanciers {Vanessa atalanla), are also leaf- 

 rollers. The first selects the leaves of the great spear- 

 thistle, and sometimes those of the stemless, or star- 

 thistle, which might be supposed rather diflicult to 

 bend; but the caterpillar is four times as large and 

 strong as those wliich we have been hitherto de- 

 scribing. In some seasons it is plentiful; in others 

 it is rarely to be met with: but the Admirable is 

 seldom scarce in any part of the country; and by 



