206 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



weave for the well-being of the caterpillars, in the early 

 stages of their growth. Through the whole of their 

 larval life they carry the protecting structure about with 

 them ; and as regards the apterous female, she never 

 leaves this home in which she dwelt while in larva 

 one of the oddest incidents in this odd economy but 

 reaching maturity, and bringing forth her young, dies 

 at last, without once quitting her self-constructed 

 prison. 



She deposits her ova, an immense number, within the 

 body of the case, closely enveloped in some species in 

 a short silky down ; and almost as soon as the larvae are 

 hatched, they force their way out of the puparium which 

 served for the defence of the eggs, deserting their early 

 abode, and going forth into the world to follow inde- 

 pendent lives. Escaping in crowds from the lower 

 end of the tube to some twig or leaf, they immediately 

 commence to prepare for themselves each a separate 

 case, arranged in every respect as the larger ones, even 

 before they have taken food. 



Young Sack-bearers at Home. 



The caterpillars manifest marvellous ingenuity in the 

 construction of their cases. Particles of wood or bark, 

 leaves, sticks, straws, lichens, mosses, and other vegetable 



