160 NATURAL HISTORY. 



forming the second line, next three or four abreast, and 

 so on for many ensuing columns, close behind each other, 

 when the leader stops, the others do so also, and having 

 found a suitable tree, they pursue the same order of 

 march until they reach the leaves, which they feed on in 

 the same regular succession. They spin their web a few 

 feet above the earth ; it is of a gray-white silky material, 

 having an aperture above and closely fitted to the tree. 

 The hairs of these larvae are very fine and penetrating, 

 and on being handled, are easily removed ; sometimes, 

 when they work their way deeply into the human skin, 

 inflammations and swellings ensue. Those who meddle 

 with their nests are not ignorant of the violent itchings 

 caused by their contact. The best remedy is to rub the 

 irritated skin with the juice of parsley. 



The Lappet Moth (bombyx quercifolia), plate 24, 

 fig. 2, is of a red-brown and gray color, and when in 

 repose resembles a tuft of dry leaves. The caterpillar, 

 four inches long, is of different colors, has on the second 

 segment a blue mirror-like spot, and on the second an- 

 terior ring a small tubercle. It feeds on grass, leaves of 

 cherries, plums, thorn, etc., passes the winter in the 

 open air, spins its cocoon in June, and the dark brown 

 pupa, after three weeks retirement, changes into the per- 

 fect butterfly. 



The Lackey Moth (bombyx neustria), plate 23, fig. 

 15, also called White Beech Moth, is pale yellow, with 

 a dark band on each wing. The caterpillar is found 

 everywhere in Europe, living on all kinds of fruit and 

 forest trees. The butterfly lays its grayish-white, pearl- 

 like eggs in rings around the twigs, numbering from two 

 to four hundred, fastening them by a glutinous substance 

 which they secrete. In April the larvae come forth and 



