168 



INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



will perhaps make the process clearer than a more 

 detailed account. 



Leaf-rolling Caterpillars of the Sorrel. 



This caterpillar, like those of which we have 

 already spoken, devours all the interior of the roller. 

 It weaves, also, in the interior, a small and thin co- 

 coon of white silk, the tissue of which is made com- 

 pact and close. It is then transformed into a chry- 

 salis. 



The caterpillars of two of our largest and hand- 

 somest butterflies, the Painted Lady ( Cynlhia cardui, 

 Stephens), and the Admirable, or Mdcrman of the 

 London fly-fanciers (Vanessa atahmia), are also leaf- 

 rollers. The first selects the leaves of the great spear- 

 thistle, and sometimes those of the stemless, or star- 

 thistle, which might be supposed rather diflicult to 

 bend; but the caterpillar is four times as large and 

 strong as those which we have been liithcrto de- 

 scribing. In some seasons it is ))lcntiful; in others 

 it is rarely to be met \\ith: hut the Admirable is 

 seldom scarce in any part oi" the country; and by 



