442 INSECTS AT HOME. 



live appearance to the hitherto plain caterpillar. There are 

 other marks, but these velvet rings are amply sufficient for 

 identification. 



It is very plentiful in some places, and though it is a very 

 general feeder, eating almost every non-poisonous herb or leaf 

 that may be given to it, the larva has fancies of its own and 

 prefers one place to another, though apparently both localities 

 are exactly alike in every respect. There was, for example, a 

 portion of a hedge, about half a mile in length, to which I 

 always resorted when in want of an Oak-eggar caterpillar. I 

 generally used the sweep-net for this purpose, passing it very 

 gently through the herbage, and was sure to be rewarded with 

 success. 



This caterpillar, especially when nearly full-grown, is a 

 troublesome being in a collecting-box, and I do not know of 

 any which has a more unpleasant knack of pushing its way 

 out of the box whenever the lid is removed for the admission 

 of a new inmate. In fact, unless the collector should be pro- 

 vided with a box such as has been described on page 420, he 

 will find that the Oak-eggar caterpillars are greatly trying 

 to the temper, and may perchance get themselves crushed while 

 trying to make their escape. 



When full-fed, the caterpillar spins a cocoon of wonderful 

 toughness and strength. It is shaped very much like an egg 

 (whence the popular name of Oak-eggar), and is brown and very 

 close in texture. About the end of summer or beginning of 

 autumn, the Moth breaks its way through the cocoon and ap- 

 pears in the perfect state. It mostly flies at night, but I have 

 seen it on the wing at mid-day. 



On "Woodcut XLVI. Fig. 3 is seen the well-known Lappet 

 Moth [Gastropacha or Lasiocampa quercifolia). This curious 

 insect derives its popular and scientific names from two totally 

 different attributes. The name quercifolia, or ' oak-leaf,' is 

 given to it on account of the astonishing resemblance which 

 it bears, when its wings are closed, to a brown withered oak- 

 leaf. 



On reference to the illustration, the reader will see that the 

 edges of the wings are deeply scalloped, just as are those of the 

 oak-leaf. The colour of the Moth is warm chestnu t-brow^i. 



