LBPIDOPTERA : TRANSFORMATIONS. 401 



generally spin a silken cocoon, in which they inclose them- 

 selves, and in which they undergo their transformations. 

 Others, however, simply fasten together the neighbouring 

 leaves, particles of earth, or of the substances upon which 

 they have been feeding, so as to form a rougher kind of 

 cocoon. The caterpillars of butterflies, however, very rarely 

 take any of these precautions. 



The following extract from Mr. Peale's beautiful " Lepi- 

 doptera Americana" (of which the publication has recently 

 been commenced in Philadelphia), will, I am sure, be read 

 with interest, presenting as it does one of the most interest- 

 ing manoeuvres hitherto recorded relative to the insect race. 

 It relates to the Bombyx Promethea (Linn.), a very handsome 



Bombyx (Saturnia) Promethea, male 



large moth, very abundant in 1833 in the vicinity of Phila- 

 delphia, at least judging from the number of cocoons seen 



MM 3 



