INSECT HABITATIONS. 213 



for protection, encasing themselves in a finely- 

 woven material resembling wool, this again 

 covered with pieces of stick placed lengthways 

 side by side, which the caterpillar adds to as he 

 grows. These are always hanging from leaves 

 and branches, only using the front legs in 

 walking. If disturbed whilst feeding or moving 

 they quickly draw their heads inside the woolly 

 material, seeming to draw it together, and give 

 it a twist so as completely to hide even the 

 supporting legs. When they wish to rest they 

 weave a little loop round a twig and withdraw 

 the clasp of the legs, biting the loop through 

 when they wish to proceed again. 



They are amusing things to keep, giving 

 themselves great airs if by chance they are 

 placed on the wrong food-plant, moving their 

 heads impatiently from side to side, and at last 

 letting go their hold and dropping down. When 

 the right food is given they quickly attach 

 themselves and eat away comfortably, generally 

 entirely finishing one leaf before going to another, 

 sometimes drawing the leaf partly inside the 



