180 INSECT ARCHITECTURE, 



(^Antirrhinum linaria) — which is to be seen in almost 

 every hedge. It is somewhat shaped like a leech, is 

 of a middle size, and the prevailing colour pearl-grey, 

 but striped with yellow and black. It spins up 

 about the beginning of September, forming the outer 

 coating of pieces of detached leaves of the plant, and 

 sometimes of whole leaves placed longitudinally, the 

 whole disposed with great symmetry and neatness. 

 The moth appears in the following June. 



It is worthy of remark, as one of the most 

 striking instances of instinctive foresight, that the 

 caterpillars which build structures of this substantial 

 description, are destined to lie much longer in their 

 chrysalis trance, than those which spin merely a 

 flimsy web of silk. For the most part, indeed, the 

 latter undergo their final transformation in a few 

 weeks; while the former continue entranced the larger 

 portion of a year, appearing in the perfect state the 

 summer after their architectural labours have been 

 completed.* This is a remarkable example of the 

 Instinct which leads these little creatures to act with 

 a foresight in many cases much clearer than the 

 dictates of human prudence. In the examples be- 

 fore us, the instinct is more dehcate and complex 

 than that which directs other animals to provide a 

 burrow for tlieir winter sleep. It is not unreasonable 

 to suppose that the one caterpillar is aware, while it 

 is building the cocoon, that the moth into which it 

 is about to be changed will not be in a fit state to 

 appear before the succeeding summer. The other, 

 pursuing a similar course of thought, may feel that 

 the moth will see the light in a few weeks. The 

 comparative distances of time certainly appear most 

 difficult to be understood by an insect; for, as far as 

 we know; quadrupeds do not carry their intelligence 

 ^,o such exte.nt,^ And yet in the solitary case of 



^ J R 



