LEPIDOPTERA. 383 



can move freely, and carry on the work of destruction unseen ; 

 and others, with the same, shape for themselves various kinds 

 of pods or cases, large enough to cover their bodies entirely 

 when they are at rest, and so light that they can bear them 

 about on their backs, as snails do their shells. Some moth- 

 worms are dark colored ; but most of them are of a dirty white 

 color, with a brownish head, and a brown spot on the top of 

 the first ring. They are either wholly naked, or have only a 

 few short hairs thinly scattered over the surface of their bodies. 

 They generally have sixteen legs. Some, however, want the 

 first pair of proplegs, having only fourteen in all. They un- 

 dergo their transformations in the burrows or cases that have 

 served them for habitations, either with or without the addi- 

 tional covering of a cocoon spun within their places of abode. 

 The chrysalids are of a brown color, and are rather more slen- 

 der than those of other moths. In the winged state they vary 

 greatly both in form and color. They all agree, however, in 

 having the wings long and narrow, and folded or wrapped 

 around the body, more or less closely, when they are at rest. 

 Their antennae are bristle-shaped, and very rarely feathered in 

 either sex. Some of them have four feelers, others only two ; 

 and the spiral tongue is short. Most of these winged moths 

 are very small ; indeed, the least of the Lepidoptera belong to 

 this tribe. They have been divided by some naturalists into 

 two, and by others into three groups, namely, Crambidce, Ypo- 

 7iomeutadcc, and Tlneadcc, the differences between which it is 

 not necessary particularly to notice in this place. 



Some moth-worms burrow into leaves, and make winding 

 passages in the pulpy substance thereof, under the skin ; some 

 bore into the stems of plants ; and a few are found only on 

 the surface of leaves, or on roots. Living plants, however, 

 form but a small part of the food of the Tineae, most of which 

 subsist on other substances ; and, for this reason, they would 

 have been passed by without further notice, were it not for the 

 depredations of certain species on some of our most valuable 

 possessions. Most of these pests are foreign insects, and have 

 been introduced into this country from abroad ; it will not, 

 therefore, be in my power to offer any thing absolutely new 



