MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 249 



well -as those of several other species, has a cleft in the 

 neck between the head and the first pair of legs. From 

 this issues, at the will of the animal, a singular syringe, 

 laterally bifid ; the branches of which are terminated by 

 a nipple perforated like the rose of a watering-pot. By 

 means of this organ, w r hen touched, it will syringe a fluid 

 to a considerable distance, which, if it enters the eyes, 

 gives them acute but not lasting pain. The animal when 

 taken from the tree on which it feeds, though supplied 

 with its leaves, loses this faculty, with which it is probably 

 endowed to drive off the ichneumons that infest it*. And, 

 to name no more, the great tiger-moth (Euprepia Caja\ 

 when in its last or perfect state, has near its head a re- 

 markable tuft of the most brilliant carmine, from amongst 

 the hairs of which, if the thorax be touched, some minute 

 drops of transparent water issue, doubtless for some 

 similar purpose b . 



The next active means of defence with which Crea- 

 tive Wisdom has endowed these busy tribes, are those 

 limbs or weapons with which they are furnished. The 

 insect lately mentioned, the puss-moth, besides the sy- 

 ringes just described, is remarkable for its singular fork- 

 ed tail, entirely dissimilar to the anal termination of the 

 abdomen of most other caterpillars. This tail is com- 

 posed of two long cylindrical tubes moveable at their 

 base, and beset with a great number of short stiff spines. 

 When the animal walks, the two branches of the tail are 

 separated from each other, and at every step are lowered 

 so as to touch the plane of position : hence we may con- 

 clude that they assist it in this motion and supply the 

 place of hind legs. If you touch or otherwise incom- 

 a De Geer, i. 324- " Ibid. i. 208. 



