70 FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



dust, the intensely fine down in which every Moth is clad. 

 To give a snug shelter to the little grubs who will soon be 

 swarming in the case, to provide them with a refuge in which 

 they can play about and gather strength before entering 

 the wide world, the Psyche strips herself of her fur like the 

 mother Rabbit. 



This may possibly be done mechanically ; it may be the 

 unintentional effect of rubbing repeatedly against the low- 

 roofed walls ; but there is nothing to tell us so. Even the 

 humblest mother has her foresight. It is quite likely that 

 the hairy Moth twists about, and goes to and fro in the narrow 

 passage, in order to get rid of her fleece and prepare bedding 

 for her family. 



I have read in books that the young Psyches begin life 

 by eating up their mother. I have seen nothing of the sort, 

 and I do not even understand how the idea arose. Indeed, 

 she has given up so much for her family that there is nothing 

 left of her but some thin, dry strips not enough to provide 

 a meal for so numerous a brood. No, my little Psyches, 

 you do not eat your mother. In vain do I watch you : never, 

 either to clothe or to feed himself, does any one of you lay a 

 tooth upon the remains of the deceased. 



Ill 



A CLEVER TAILOR 



I will now describe in greater detail the dressing of the 

 grubs. 



The hatching of the eggs takes place in the first fortnight 

 of July. The head and upper part of the little grubs are of 

 a glossy black, the next two segments are brownish, and the 

 rest of the body is a pale amber. They are sharp, lively little 

 creatures, who run about with short, quick steps. 



For a time, after they are out of the bag where they are 

 hatched, they remain in the heap of fluff that was stripped 



