±Q6 HOMES "WITHOUT HANDS. 



birds literally dared not approach the insects ; for the silken 

 threads which traversed the branches in all directions were an ef- 

 fectual barrier, striking against the wings and terrifying the poor 

 birds. We all know that a few threads of fine cotton passed 

 from bough to bough of a gooseberry-bush will deter any little 

 bird from settling on it, and, in the same manner, the silken 

 threads of the caterpillars deter the birds from settling on the 

 branches. These threads are very elastic, and of marvelous 

 strength considering their tenacity, producing most uncomforta- 

 ble sensations when they come across the face, and being nearly 

 as strong as the fibres spun by the common silkworm. 



The caterpillar which works all this damage is rather slender, 

 and is covered with black clots along the back. 



Another well-known British insect which constructs social 

 habitations is the Gold-tailed Moth (Porthesia chrysorrhcea), a 

 familiar and beautiful insect, with wings of soft downy plumage, 

 and snowy-white in color, and a tuft of yellow hair at the end of 

 the tail. The perfect insect may often be seen sticking on the 

 trunks of trees in gardens, waiting until the evening, when it will 

 fly off to its labors. 



When the moth has laid its eggs, it plucks off the beautiful 

 yellow tuft at the end of the tail, and with it forms a roof over 

 the pile of eggs, laying the hairs so artificially as to make a per- 

 fect thatch. When the larvae are hatched they retain their socia- 

 bility, and spin for themselves a common domicile. This house 

 is very remarkable. Viewed on the exterior, it is seen to be a 

 bag-like structure of whitish silk, rather strong and tough, but 

 very yielding. 



One of these nests, which I found in Wiltshire, is now before 

 me. It was found in a hedge, about two feet from the ground, 

 and is rather a complicated structure. The scaffolding, so to 

 speak, of the nest is formed by a horizontal spray of three small 

 twigs, and it is strengthened by the long hedge -grass which 

 crossed the spray. Seeds of different kinds are woven into the 

 walls, so that a comparatively small portion of the silk is exposed 

 to view. 



When cut open, it shows a singularly beautiful structure with- 

 in. There are several sheets of silken tissue, each becoming 

 more delicate, and the innermost being white, shining like satin ; 

 whereas the outer covering is dull white, and very tough, cling- 



