INTRODUCTION. 



The head and anterior part of the little inmate 

 project, when it moves, from the opening at the 

 widest end, and when the moth is perfected it issues 

 from the other, which has heen previously widened 

 to allow an easy passage. Previous to its change 

 into a chrysalis, the caterpillar fixes its dwelling 

 securely to a stone, by means ot a strong mooring 

 of silk. The gentleman who first described the 

 proceedings of this creature, supposed that it used 

 the particles of stone for food, but more accurate 

 observation soon proved that they are employed only 

 for the purpose above described. Its real food 

 seems to be lichens and minute mosses, which 

 usually abound on old walls. 



The weight of such a covering may be supposed 

 to impede materially the insect's movements, for 

 never, says Reaumur, was a Roman soldier charged 

 with such a burden. Others accordingly select a 

 lighter material to cover the layer of silk which 

 they invariably place next their bodies. Some 

 kinds (such as Psyche radiella, Curtis B. E. fol. 

 332) may be said to thatch it, for they invest it 

 with small pieces of withered grass of different 

 lengths, which lie over each other and form a kind 

 of imbricated coating. Others fabricate this outer 

 vestment from fragments of leaves; and a small 

 species described by Reaumur, which feeds on a 

 kind of Astragalus, ornaments its covering with 

 what he, calls furbelows or flounces, resembling those 

 used by ladies in former times*. Similar to these 

 * Reaumur, vol. iii. PI. 11. fig. 1. 



