THE BOMBYCINA. 



109 



pimple-like projection. The silkworm caterpillar moves its head 

 about in the same manner as other larvae with spinners, and draws 

 out the silk in regular lengths. It changes its skin in the manner 

 already described in a former chapter, and makes the wonderful 

 cocoon before undergoing its first metamorphosis. 



The moths escape from the chrysalis state, which lasts about 

 three weeks, and the eggs which are laid in the autumn are 



THE MOTH AND LARVA OF Attacus pavonia 7najor. 



hatched during the next spring. Some species, however, have 

 two and even three broods in the year. 



There are some splendid moths belonging to the genus 

 Attacus, which are closely related to the silkworms. They are 

 usually large insects, and with very fine wings. Their antennai 

 arc beautifully feathery, and decorate the heads of the moths 

 very prettily. Some have wings with tailed prolongations, like 

 the butterflies of the swallow-tail group, and, indeed, they 

 exceed those of any other Lepidoptera in length. Their cater- 

 pillars are large and heavy, but are very beautiful. Some have 



