ON THE FOOD OF MOTHS. 73 



upon the parenchyma included between the upper 

 and under cuticles of the leaves of plants, of lilac, 

 dandelion, and various other species. These minute 

 animals not only feed on leaves, but also domicile 

 within them, although not thicker than a sheet of 

 paper. The zigzag, curved, and concentric lines, 

 which are common in the plants above named, are 

 the work of these larvae. The white appearance 

 of the lines is owing to the pulpy substance being 

 removed. At the end of these winding passages, 

 there is usually a minute dark-coloured speck at the 

 termination of the labyrinth-like lines, which is the 

 habitation of the tiny miner. So minute, indeed, 

 are these larvae, that a single leaf of dandelion may 

 be considered as a vast tract of land to a larger 

 animal, for it requires several weeks for them to 

 traverse it. 



Nothing can exceed the gorgeous attire of some 

 of these little miracles of nature. She seems to have 

 lavished her most splendid tints, fancifully arranged, 

 in combination with sparkling bands and spots of 

 golden, silvery, and pearly lustre. These, however, 

 only become perceptible by the aid of a strong lens. 

 If these animals were formed on a larger scale, they 

 would far exceed every other creature for splendour 

 of decoration. It may be asked, Why is such richness 

 of clothing bestowed on creatures so insignificant ? 

 The answer is, that it has pleased Creative Wisdom 

 to hold them up to man as a lesson of humility, to 

 shew that even the most insignificant worm is robed 

 in a habit with which all his art cannot vie. 



VOL. II. F 



