LARVA WITH A SQUIRT. 



185 



Squirting Larva. The Cleft and squirting Orgai 

 shown separately. 



pillars were provided with a squirting apparatus, 

 situated in a cleft in the neck. When the crea- 

 ture is irritated, 

 it thrusts out a 

 curious organ, di- 

 vided into four 

 branches, and 

 drilled with holes, 

 like the rose of 

 a watering - pot. 

 From this organ 

 shoot the jets of 

 fluid spoken of. After the discharge they are 

 drawn in again, and covered over by the closing 

 up of the cleft. Strange to say, when taken in- 

 doors, the caterpillar lost the power of squirting 

 altogether. It appeared as if it could only do so 

 in the open air, where a number of insect enemies 

 were arrayed against it. This caterpillar is com- 

 monly known as that of the Puss-moth, and has 

 sometimes caused the most strange and foolish 

 country tales by its striking appearance. It has 

 been described as a horrible monster, having a 

 head like a lion, jaws like a shark, a horn like a 

 unicorn, and two tremendous stings in its tail ! 



