90 PUSS MOTH. 



the tail, which is terminated by a couple of 

 rough, horn-like appendages. If the caterpillar 



Caterpillar of the Puss Moth. 



be irritated, it projects from each of these horns 

 a slender scarlet thread, which has rather a 

 menacing aspect, though in fact it is perfectly 

 harmless. When several of these larva are 

 kept in captivity, they have an odd habit of 

 nibbling at each other's tails and gnawing then> 

 almost to the root. They also eat their own 

 cast skins after each moult, just as do the frogs 

 and toads. The attitude in which the caterpillar 

 is drawn is a favourite one, and is so unlike that 

 of most caterpillars, that few persons who are 

 unacquainted with entomology will venture to 



