( cvii ) 



"Though the cocoons are extremely abundant in my garden, 

 being attached to leaves of many kinds, to dead twigs, and 

 even to sawn posts, I have never seen the larva at work or 

 identified it in any stage. It is presumably a leaf miner at 

 some part of its existence. I can only suppose that it migrates 

 at night. I must have a search with a lantern." 



Prof. PouLTON in replying had expressed the hope that 

 Mr. Green would study the subject further and try to find 

 out the method by which the bubbles were produced. The 

 observation was of all the more importance and interest 

 because this species of Tineid was closely allied to Marmara, 

 which produces similar structures upon its cocoon, as described 

 in the Proceedings, pp. xcviii, xcix, 1911. There could be no 

 doubt that the solution of the problem in Ejncejjhala would 

 provide the solution in Marmara also. Within the last few 

 days Prof. Poulton had received the following paper and 

 accompanying illustrations, dated August 16th, 1912, from 

 Mr. E. E. Green. 



Note on the construction of the cocoon of the Tineid 

 moth Epicejihala chalyhacma, Meyrick. 



By E. Ernest Green, F.E.S. 



The remarkable little cocoons of Epicephala chalyhacma have 

 been abundant in my compound at Peradeniya, Ceylon, for 

 many years. They are attached to the leaves and stems of 

 many different plants, to posts and railings, or to any material 

 that may happen to be in the neighbourhood. These white 

 cocoons are elongate, with a median ridge or crest composed 

 of minute glistening globules, the nature of which has hitherto 

 puzzled me. I could never find the caterpillars that were 

 responsible for the structures. One particular post, that was 

 constantly ornamented with the cocoons, has been watched — 

 day and night — for some time. I naturally expected to find 

 the caterpillars making the ascent. The ground at the base of 

 the post was scanned minutely, but no wandering caterpillars 

 were to be found. It really seemed that, if they did not come 

 up from below, they must come down from above. One morning, 

 after concluding my search, I instinctively glanced upwards, 



