CATERPILLARS. 141 



is very brittle. It has also a natural elasticity, — a disposi- 

 tion to spring back if it be bent, — which is caused by the 

 continuity of its threads, or nervures. This elasticity is 

 speedily overcome by the ingenuity with which the cater- 

 pillar works ; and the leaf is thus retained in its artificial 

 position for many weeks, under every variety of tempera- 

 ture. We will examine, in detail, how these little leaf- 

 rollers accomplish their task. 



One of the most common as well as the most simple 

 fabrics constructed by caterpillars, may be discovered dur- 

 ing summer on almost every kind of bush and tree. We 

 shall take as examples those which are found on the lilac 

 and on the oak. 



A small but very pretty chocolate-coloured moth abun- 



Lilac-tree Moth. (Lozotcenia iZt&ea«a, Stephens?) 



dant in every garden, but not readily seen, from its fre- 

 quently alighting on the ground, which is so nearly of 

 its own colour, deposits its eggs on the leaves of the 

 currant, the lilac, and of some other trees, appropriating 

 a leaf to each egg. As soon as the caterpillar is hatched. 



Kestofa Lilac-leaf KoUer. 



it begins to secure itself from birds and predatory insects 



