THE PUSS MOTH. 103 



are two or three cocoons formed on trees, and one 

 formed in the mortar of a wall. This last is very 

 peculiar, and it is difficult to account for the creature's 

 choice when trees were within six feet of the wall. 

 In fact the caterpillar appears to have descended a 

 poplar tree close by and to have gone across to the 

 wall. The other cocoons are of course natural, but 

 were made under circumstances over which the larva 

 had no control one is formed on and out of a piece of 

 coal sacking, the other of coloured bits of cardboard. 

 But one and all are weatherproof and watertight ; no 

 storm, however violent, disturbs the chrysalis within. 



Out of this, in May or June, comes the perfect 

 moth or imago ; it moistens its hard covering with 

 a solution manufactured on the premises, and so 

 makes a hole large enough to crawl out by. Not 

 yet, however, does it appear in full perfection. The 

 body and wings hang down limp and almost helpless, 

 the latter being not more than a quarter of an inch 

 in length. But it crawls up ward and suspends itself 

 for an hour or two by its legs, and then you may 

 almost see the wings grow and strengthen. One 

 specimen on the table shows you its state on first 

 emerging. It never succeeded in enlarging its wings, 

 owing to some inherent defect. The perfect insect 

 is not at all lacking in beauty, thickly clothed with 

 down to the very toes, and with lighter and darker 

 markings on the wings, which are supposed to 

 resemble those of a variegated cat, and hence the 

 name of Puss Moth. We have seen, however, that 

 the kitten-like aspect of the young larva?, may also 

 have something to do with the name. 



You may perhaps be disappointed now and then 



