CANKER-WORM. 249 



In about four weeks after they are hatched, they 

 cease eating, and descend to the earth and enter it, 

 from four to eight inches, according to the quahty and 

 condition of the soil. For the first few days they con- 

 tinue shortening their body, and drawing in their feet. 

 When they have contracted themselves sufficiently, 

 they disengage their skin and slip it off. and become 

 a chrysalis, which is about half an inch long, and one 

 seventh of an inch in diameter. 



It appears that the insect is soon perfect, as some of 

 them in New England rise from the earth as early as 

 the last of September ; and they rise, more or less, until 

 the first of May following, whenever the weather suits 

 them, and the ground is thawed to the depth of their 

 abode. 



When they rise from the ground they appear in 

 forms entirely different : the antennae or horns of the 

 perfect insect are setaceous. The body of the male is 

 of an ashen amber color, nearly half an inch in length; 

 extent of its upper wings, one inch and two tenths ; the 

 wings are ash-colored, with three obscure blackish 

 stripes, and a small dash of the same color at the tips. 

 The under wings are of a uniform color, and rather 

 lighter than the ground of the upper ones. The body 

 of the female is about four tenths of an inch in length, 

 ash-colored, and marked on the back v/ith a brown list, 

 extending from the thorax to the tail. She is destitute 

 of wings, has six long dusky legs with white joints. 

 Both the male and female remain quiet during the day, 

 and adhere close to the bark of the tree, and are so near 

 the same color they are not seen without close inspec- 

 tion. In a short time after sunset they begin to move. 

 The males may be seen flying about. The females, 

 being destitute of wings, are under the necessity of 

 ascending the trunk of the tree. They may some- 

 times be found together, subcupola. After this office 

 is performed the males die, and in a few days the 

 females deposit their eggs, about one hundred in num- 

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