LEPIDOPTERA. 381 



SUB-SECTION II. 



THE SUB-ORDER OF LEPIDOPTERA, OR BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 



THE Sub-Order of Lepidoptera comprises insects which 

 have four wings covered on both sides with scales that 

 are removed by the slightest touch ; a tongue consisting 

 of two tubular threads placed side by side and forming a 

 channel by their junction, and thus adapted for suction, 

 and, when not in use, rolled up like a watch-spring be- 

 neath the head, and more or less concealed on each side 

 by a little palpus or feeler ; six legs, the first pair being 

 very short ; and feet which are five-jointed and termi- 

 nated by a pair of claws. They undergo a complete 

 transformation. In the larva state they are called cater- 

 pillars, and have from ten to sixteen legs. The first three 

 pairs of legs are covered with a shelly skin, are jointed 

 and tapering, and the extremity is armed with a little 

 claw. The remaining ones prop-legs are thick, 

 fleshy, without joints, elastic, and at the extremity are 

 surrounded by a ring of minute hooks. The jaws are 

 placed at the sides of the mouth, move laterally, and are 

 quite strong. The middle of the lower lip contains a 

 conical tube, from which the larva spins a silken thread. 

 The material from which the silk is made is contained in 

 two long, slender bags in the interior of the body, and 

 ending in the spinning-tube just mentioned. This mate- 

 rial is a viscid fluid, w r hich, as it flows from the tube 

 and comes to the air, hardens. Some caterpillars make 

 but little silk ; others produce it in great abundance. 

 Most of them feed upon the leaves of plants. Some 

 eat buds, blossoms, seeds, and roots ; others eat the solid 

 wood ; others devour fabrics and furs ; and others leath- 

 er, meat, lard, and wax. Some species are gregarious ; 

 others are solitary in their habits. In coming to their 



