54 NATURAL HISTORY". 



Whether the cat would welcome the intruder seemed very doubtful, and until her 

 return the fate of the foundling trembled in the balance. The cat might say — 



" They call me cruel. Do I know if mouse or squirrel feels? 



" 1 only know they make me light and salutary meals. 



" And if, as 'tis my nature to, ere I devour I tease 'em. 



'* Why should a low-bred gardener's boy pursue me with a besom?" 

 Our suspicions of what the cat might say or do was groundless. An hour later 

 the foundling was seen comfortably sucking the cat, going shares with the 

 kittens, and holding its own, as if the whole place belonged to it. The cat was 

 purring contentedly and seemed to think it all right. Four whole days have passed 

 since the foundling made acquaintance with the Amah, and it appears to be sleek 

 and thriving. It certainly gets its fair share of the cat's attentions, and although 

 not a quarter the weight of its foster brothers, is much too 'cute and active to be 

 crowded out at meal time. 



The cat has made one attempt since this addition to her family cares, to regain 

 her old stronghold, the clothes bnsket. She deposited one of her kittens on the 

 floor close by the basket. She couldn't get in as the lid was shut, but she left the 

 kitten down below it, as a last mute appeal to our good feelings. But we were 

 obdurate, and replaced the kitten in the box. At present she appears outwardly 

 satisfied, but I have no doubt she'll try it on again, if ever she finds the cover off 

 the basket. 



G. VIDAL. 



Poom, 21st October 1886. 



Editor's Note. — Mr. Vidal in a subsequent letter informed me that the interesting 

 family had come to an untimely end, owing to his dogs having discovered 

 the box. 



R. A.S. 



NOTES ON THE HABITS OF NEPITA CONFERTA. 



Amon<* all orders of insects are found many very interesting habits with relation 

 to self-preservation. The insect in question is a small moth of the family 

 Lithasudee. 



Having lately bred several specimens, I was much struck with the manner of 

 preserving the chrysalis from the attacks of ants. The larva of Nepita Conferta 

 is a small hairy caterpillar of a dull brown colour, having a creamy mark on the 

 3rd and 4th segments. It feeds on mosses, and may be found on the walls of 

 almost any house where a damp spot encourages their growth. 



When full grown the larva ascends the wall, and in a very prominent position 

 makes a slight web interspersed with its own hairs. 



The change from larva to pupa takes place within this web. Now a chrysalis 

 which was merely enclosed in so slight a protection would soon be destroyed by the 

 numerous ants, who are ever on the prowl. To guard against this evil, before 

 making the light web, the larva encloses a small space with a wall of hair. 



This wall is constructed in the following manner ;— 



The hairs are placed on one end, with the other end pointing outwards, one hair 

 having been placed, and made fast to the wall of the house, another is placed 



