210 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



with a nicety so perfect that the severest scrutiny can- 

 not detect what was the extent of the injury. 



Under the protection, then, of the substantial and 

 somewhat formidable case the larva lives. At each end 

 there is an opening, and through the anterior one it 

 emerges to feed and change its position. Commonly, 

 it only protrudes the head and the first three or four 

 segments of the body, or sufficient to use its six true 

 legs for locomotion when feeding ; and if wishful to 

 remain quiet, it usually takes the precaution of fastening 

 a portion of the edge of the aperture by fibres of silk 

 temporarily to the branch upon which it is, that, if 

 alarmed, it can suddenly recede completely into the 

 case, very rapidly drawing in the flexible part after it, 

 by means of its mandibles and forelegs, and contracting 

 the aperture so as to exclude all enemies. Thus hid, it 

 stays in security, suspended only by a few threads. Were 

 the nature of the hanging, tight-closed, strong, tough sack 

 unknown, it would never be suspected of containing an 

 active, voracious larva. Exceedingly wary and timid are 

 these insects in retreating at the approach of danger. 

 On a desire for removal, the suspending threads are 

 bitten off close to the case. 



As long as the caterpillar is small, and the house of 

 no great weight, it is borne nearly erect, but soon, as a 

 rule, the incumbent mass lies flat, owing to increased 

 weight, and is dragged along in that attitude. The 



