BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 2OI 



whole tree soon appears to be covered with a mass 

 of web, which swarms with little caterpillars. In a 

 short time every green leaf on the tree is consumed. 

 The caterpillars reign supreme. In a Journal of 

 Arts, published in 1827, we read of an effort made 

 in Bavaria to turn these little weaving caterpillars to 

 practical account. " The larvae of Tinea padella have 

 been directed by M. Habenstreet, of Munich, so as 

 to work on a paper model suspended from a ceiling 

 of a room. To this model he can give any form and 

 dimensions, and he has thus been enabled to obtain 

 square shawls, an air balloon four feet high, and a 

 woman's complete robe, with the sleeves, but without 

 seams. One or two larvae can weave a square inch 

 of cloth. A great number are of course employed, 

 and their motions are interdicted from the parts of 

 the model not to be covered, by oiling them. The 

 cloth exceeds in fineness the lightest gauze, and has 

 been worn, as a robe over her court dress, by the 

 Queen of Bavaria." 



