OP PAPILIONACEOUS INSECTS. 41 



on the surface of some leaf, upon which they place 

 in succession layers of eggs, taking care to surround 

 them with a coating of a similar kind. When they 

 have deposited the whole number, they lay a neat 

 thatched-like roof of hair over the surface. 



These little creatures are endowed with a peculiar 

 instinct, which looks remarkably like intelligence ; 

 for, the hairs employed in forming the inside of the 

 nest are placed promiscuously, while those used for 

 the external covering, are arranged with perfect 

 regularity, and such skill, that they render the nests 

 impervious to water ; one layer lies over the other, 

 with such neat precision, that, as Mr Kirby says, 

 the whole resembles a well-brushed piece of shaggy 

 cloth, or fur. When the female has finished her 

 labour, in which she is usually employed about 

 twenty-four hours, and in some cases forty-eight, her 

 body, which was before thickly beset with hair, is now 

 rendered quite naked. She has thus denuded herself 

 for her offspring's sake, and, having completed the 

 last task assigned to her by Nature, she finishes her 

 earthly pilgrimage, and expires. 



Creative power has made provision for the fulfil- 

 ment of all these singular instincts in a wonderful 

 manner. The little Gipsy Moth does not exist in 

 its perfect condition more then fourteen days, and 

 often not more than a week. The male is not furnished 

 with this down, as it is of no use to him. 



When the female Gipsy Moth is on the eve of 

 laying her eggs, she places herself on the trunk of an 

 elm or oak, and always with her head downwards 



