THE CASE MOTHS (PSYCHID^). 2ii 



abdominal and anal le^s of the larva are furnished with 

 a series of small points or hooks, with which it moves 

 in the tube, laying hold of the interior of the lining, to 

 which it can adhere with great pertinacity ; so firm is 

 the hold retained, it is impossible to remove the creature 

 without injury. 



Coining of Age. 



Having attained full growth, and being about to 

 change to pupa, the larva of Metura saundcrsii firmly 

 fixes itself, by means of silken fibres, spun for the 

 purpose, to a branch or trunk of a tree, or paling, 

 drawing together and permanently closing the head 

 opening. It reverses its position in the case, so that 

 the head is where the tail used to be, pointed towards 

 the posterior or unattached end, and envelopes itself 

 in a soft silken cocoon, of a yellowish colour. Allowing 

 itself to hang perpendicularly, head downwards, it awaits 

 the pupal sleep. 



From the facts just stated, it need hardly be said that, 

 when the time arrives, the perfect insect emerges from 

 the posterior portion of the tube. At this particular 

 time the male pupa becomes endowed with the power of 

 stretching out its segments, to enable it to work its way 

 out of the extremity. Through the opening of the 

 posterior end it pushes the anterior half of its length by 



