272 THE COLOURS OF ANIMALS 



Eflfect heightened by two pink whips 



The effect is also greatly strengthened by two pink 

 whips which are swiftly protruded from the prongs 

 of the fork in which the body terminates (see fig. 61). 

 These prongs represent the last pair of larval legs, 

 which have been greatly modified from their ordinary 

 shape and use. The end of the body is at the same 

 time curved forward over the back (generally much 



Fig. 61.— One of the pink whips of larva of Puss Moth, completely 

 protruded from the conical receptacle ; x 4. 



farther than in fig. 60), so that the pink filaments are 

 brandished above the head. Although the filaments 

 are no thicker than a rather coarse cotton thread, 

 they are hollow, and contain a delicate muscle which 

 runs through their whole length and is attached at 

 the top. When the muscle contracts the filament is 

 withdrawn, being turned outside in : protrusion is 

 brought about by the pressure of the blood, which 

 drives the filament before it. The process could 

 be almost exactly imitated by fastening a string to 

 the tip of the finger of a glove and letting the string 

 pass down inside the finger and out at the wrint. 



