THE CLOTHES MOTH. 225 



which have hung against a wall exposed to the 

 air without protection of any kind for the last 

 twenty-five years ; these are as fresh and 

 bright in plumage now as when they were first 

 obtained. 



This fur-moth is perhaps the best known species 

 in our houses ; it is a small yellowish-grey insect 

 with pale brown spots on the wings. This is, 

 I believe, the species of which I have secured the 

 larvae. Fur and feathers are alike its staple diet, 

 and it is easily distinguished from other kinds by 

 a dark brown mark on the second segment of the 

 grub, which mark I can discern by a magnifying 

 glass. 



The linings of chairs and sofas and the stuffing 

 of carriage cushions, horse-hair pillows, &c., are 

 constantly attacked by Tinea biselliella, while cloth, 

 flannel, and any woollen material, suits the taste of 

 the almost universal Tinea tapetzella, against whose 

 ravages every housekeeper has to devise a variety 

 of protective plans. The moth is so small it can 

 creep through minute crevices a knot-hole at the 

 back of a drawer or a keyhole will afford it access 

 to the winter garments which have been put away 



15 



