208 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



This is of far stronger texture than either of the others, being quite 

 hard, like papier-mache, and dark and polished within. 



Generally, just before the moth emerges, the chrysalis works it- 

 self along, so that it partially projects from the hole, thus enabling 

 the insect to escape at once into the outer world. In some in- 

 stances, however, this is not the case, and in the present specimen 

 the empty chrysalis shell may be seen, its shattered sides showing 

 the manner in which the inclosed moth made its exit. The hole 

 through which the moth emerged from the cocoon is of a wonder- 

 fully small size, considering the dimensions of the perfect insect, 

 and its sides are very ragged and irregular. Like the other co- 

 coons, it is strongly imbued with the characteristic odor, which has 

 attached itself so strongly to my fingers that careful ablution will 

 be needed before I shall venture to produce my hands in society. 



The course taken by the larva is most erratic. Sometimes it 

 travels just below the bark, and then turns suddenly, and dives 

 into the very heart of the tree. It is much given to making these 

 sudden changes, and frequently returns nearly on its former track, 

 a mere shell of wood dividing the two passages. The winter co- 

 coons may be found in various parts of the tree, some deeply buried 

 in the wood, others near the exterior. The pupal cocoon is, as far 

 as I know from personal experience, very near the exterior of the 

 tree, so that when the perfect insect is freed from its enwraj)ments, 

 it is obliged to traverse only a very short distance before finding 

 itself in the open air. 



To keep this larva until it passes through its different stages is 

 by no means a difficult process, and demands less trouble than is 

 given by the generality of caterpillars. The larva is easily found ; 

 for whenever an old willow-tree has a powerful scent, and exhibits 

 certain round holes in its bark, the Goat Moth caterpillar is sure 

 to be an inmate. Cut down the tree, and with a saw and chisel 

 break it up, until the caterpillars are found. The chisel is used as 

 much for ripping as for cutting ; and the use of the mallet should 

 be avoided as much as possible, lest the jarring strokes should in- 

 jure the caterpillar. To the ears of the searcher, a few blows with 

 a mallet on the chisel do not appear very formidable ; but to an 

 animal inclosed in the wood the shock of every stroke must be 

 terrible, on account of the sound-conducting power of the sub- 

 stance in which it lies. 



When one or two of the caterpillars have been obtained, they 

 siiould be placed in a metal box, as their sharp jaws would soon 



