194 THE WOODLANDS. 



are produced by a moth, or at least by the caterpillar 

 of a moth, called a silkworm, which feeds on mul- 

 berry-leaves. This is not a British insect, but we 

 have others which have a like habit of spinning a 

 silky cocoon in which the transformation takes place. 

 The silk of which these cocoons are composed is not 

 of the beautiful texture of that of the true silk-moth. 

 In other countries the silk of wild moths is turned to 

 a useful purpose, but we have none capable of being 

 successfully cultivated for their cocoons. 



The moth called the Oak-Eggar 1 is one of the silk- 

 spinning moths, which forms an egg-shaped brown 

 cocoon. The moth is from two to three inches in 

 expanse of wing, the male chocolate-brown, and the 

 female tawny, with a large woolly body. This is a 

 very common insect, and is developed from a large 

 densely hairy caterpillar which rolls itself up when 

 touched. Another cocoon-spinning moth is the Fox- 

 Moth, 2 which is similar in appearance, and has also 

 a large hairy caterpillar, which feeds on the bramble. 



The Drinker 3 belongs to the same family, and is 

 said to have derived its name from its hairy cater- 

 pillar sucking up drops of moisture from the leaves on 

 which it feeds. Larger than this is the Lappet, 4 but 

 not so common. The caterpillar feeds on the sloe 

 and willow. The Kentish Glory 5 is certainly a 

 splendid moth ; it is rather given to flying in the day- 

 light, but is not very easily caught. It spins a brown 

 cocoon of rather a loose texture, amongst fallen lenves. 



1 Lasiocampa quercus. 4 Gastropacha quercifolia. 



2 Lasiocampa rubi. 5 Endromis versicolora. 



3 Odonestes potatoria. 



