The Great Peacock 



server requires an artificial illuminant. I give 

 up the Great Peacock and his nocturnal nup- 

 tials. I want a Moth with different habits, 

 equally skilled in keeping conjugal appoint- 

 ments, but performing in the day-time. 



Before continuing with a subject that fulfils 

 these conditions, let us drop chronological or- 

 der for a moment and say a few words about 

 a late-comer who arrived after I had com- 

 pleted my enquiries, I mean the Lesser Pea- 

 cock (Attacus pavonia minor, LiN.j. Some- 

 body brought me, I don't know where from, 

 a magnificent cocoon loosely wrapped in an 

 ample white-silk envelope. Out of this cover- 

 ing, with its thick, irregular folds, it was easy 

 to extract a case similar in shape to the Great 

 Peacock's, but a good deal smaller. The 

 fore-end, worked into the fashion of an eel- 

 trap by means of free and converging fibres, 

 which prevent access to the dwelling while 

 permitting egress without a breach of the 

 walls, indicated a kinswoman of the big noc- 

 turnal Moth; the silk bore the spinner's mark. 



And, in point of fact, towards the end of 

 March, on the morning of Palm Sunday, the 

 cocoon with the eel-trap formation provides 

 me with a female of the Lesser Peacock, 



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