LARVA CLAD IN RAGS. 181 



cisely that of the herbage into which they have 

 fallen, it becomes next to fruitless to search for 

 them. 



A very singular larva which, both for offence 

 and defence, adopts a most extraordinary pro- 

 cedure, must be mentioned by itself. This larva 

 is not unfrequently to be found in our houses, and 

 is said to feed upon our disgusting and annoying 

 invaders the bugs ; but it so completely con- 

 trives to conceal its real character, that not once 

 in a hundred times would it, probably, be recog- 

 nised as an insect at all. It collects together a 

 number of particles of sand, or fragments of 

 wool, or silk, or earth, and with singular skill, con- 

 trives to form a sort of coat out of these, in which 

 it envelopes itself. Thus attired, as may be ima- 

 gined, it is not easy to discover what the object 

 really is, and it thus, undoubtedly, escapes the 

 undesirable notice of any of its enemies. But more 

 than this: like those North American Indians, 

 who hunt by concealing themselves in the skins 

 of wolves, and so attract less attention from the 

 herd than they would do if they were to expose 

 themselves in their natural aspect to view, this 

 crafty larva steals upon its prey in much the same 



