I2 4 



HEMIPTERA. 



gather by means of silk, and suspend the hammock 30 formed at the end of 

 a silken thread from a twig, and thus the little caterpillar lodges securely, 

 rocked by the winds. 



The Moths (Tmetz),* whose caterpillars frequently feed on cloths and 

 peltry, are also nocturnal Lepidoptera. The clothes-moth, fur-moth, grease- 

 moth, green-moth, and various other destructive moths, are mostly very small 

 insects the largest of them not measuring, with their wings expanded, more 

 than eight-tenths of an inch across. 



FIG. 127. SUSPENDED LEAF TENTS. 





FIG. 128. LARVA OF CLOTHES-J\!OTH IN ITS 

 CASE. ( Mag nified. ) 



The Pack-moth ( Tinea sarcitclla] is but too well known. Its caterpillar lives 

 on cloth and other woollen stuffs, weaving with their detached particles, mixed with 

 silk, a portable tube, which it lengthens at each end in proportion as it grows, and 

 slits when too small, to increase the diameter by inserting another piece. From this 

 circumstance it obtains the specific name of sarcitella.^ 



The Feather Moths (Fissipennaft likewise belong to the Nocturnal Lepi- 

 doptera. This tribe is distinguished by the singular structure of the wings, 

 which, in a state of repose, are straight and elongated. The four wings, or 

 two of them at least, are slit through their whole length into branches, which 

 are barbed on the sides, bearing some resemblance to an outspread feather 

 fan. 



HEMIPTEROUS INSECTS. ORDER HEMIPTERA. 



In insects belonging to this Order, the elytra, or wing-covers, 

 present two distinct portions of very different texture, their front 

 part being stiff and leathery, while their hinder margins are mem- 



* Tinea, Lat. A moth or worm in clothes or books : "dirum Tinese genus." Virgil, 



Georg. iv. 246. f Sarcio, I patch. % Lat. Fissus, cleft ; penna, a wing. 



rj/u<rus, hemisus, half; irrfyov, pteron, a wing. 



