GOAT-MOTH. 



191 



formed, in fact, a covering for itself precisely like the 

 one from which we had dislodged it, — composed of 

 raspings of wood detached for the purpose from 

 what had been given it as food, — the largest piece of 

 which was employed as a substantial covering and 

 protection for the whole. It remained in this retreat, 

 motionless, and without food, till revived by the 

 warmth of the ensuing spring, when it gnawed its 

 way out, and began to eat voraciously, to make up 

 for its long fast. 



These caterpillars are three years in arriving at 

 their final change into the winged state; but as the 

 one just mentioned was nearly full grown, it began, 

 in the month of May, to prepare a cell, in which it 

 might undergo its metamorphosis. Whether it had 

 actually improved its skill in architecture by its pre- 

 vious experience we will not undertake to say, but its 

 second cell was greatly superior to the first. In the 

 first there was only one large piece of wood em- 

 ployed; in the second, two pieces were placed in 

 such a manner as to support each other, and beneath 

 the angle thus formed, an oblong structure was made^ 

 composed, as before, of wood-raspings and silk, but 

 much stronger in texture than the winter cell. In a 

 few weeks (four, if we recollect right) the moth 

 came forth,* 



Nfstof Goaf-3iu<^,~Figurcdfvim specimen, and raised (oshou tiie7'u/»«. 



