238 



Insect Architecture. 



ing its operations. We remarked that it made choice of 

 longer hairs for the outside than for the parts of the interior, 

 which it thought necessary to strengthen by fresh additions ; 

 but the chamber was ultimately finished by a fine and closely- 

 woven tapestry of silk. We could see the progress of its 

 work by looking into the opening at either of the ends ; for at 

 this stage of the structure the walls are quite opaque, and the 

 insect concealed. It may be thus observed to turn round, by 

 doubling itself and bringing its head where the tail had just 

 been ; of course, the interior is left wide enough for this 

 purpose, and the centre, indeed, where it turns, is always 

 wider than the extremities. (J. E.) 



When the caterpillar increases in length, it takes care to 

 add to the length of its house, by working in fresh hairs at 



Cases, &c., of the Clothes-Moth (Tinea pellioneUa). a. Caterpillar feeding in a case, 

 which has been lengthened by ovals of different colours ; b. Case cut at the ends for 

 experiment; c, Case cut open by the insect for enlarging it; d, e, The clothes-moths in 

 their perfect state, when, as they cease to eat, they do no further injury. 



either end ; and if it be shifted to stuffs of different colours, 

 it may be made to construct a party-coloured tissue, like a 

 Scotch plaid. Reaumur cut off with scissors a portion at 

 each end, to compel the insect to make up the deficiency. 

 But the caterpillar increases in thickness as well as in length, 

 so that, its first house becoming too narrow, it must either 

 enlarge it, or build a new one. It prefers the former as less 

 troublesome, and accomplishes its purpose " as dexterously," 



