372 Ret?. L. GuiLDiNG on the Natural History of Oiketicus, 



could take place : for there was no appearance of an opening at 

 the extremity of the puparium (Kirby), nor could I detect the 

 reproductive organs in the thoracic portion of the body, which 

 might have been approached inter nuptias. While engaged in 

 pressing and examining the male organs under the micro- 

 scope, I discovered the extensile extremity of the penis, ad- 

 mirably adapted by its extraordinary length and tlexibility for 

 tlie sexual intercourse, which appears to terminate in the de- 

 struction of the male. It is highly improbable that the perfect 

 insects have been seen in Kurope ; for no sooner has the male 

 arisen from his pupal slumber, than he begins, even before the 

 full expansion of his wings, to tlutter about Avith so much vio- 

 lence that his beauty has commonly disappeared before the en- 

 tomologist can secure him. It is well known to the European 

 naturalist, that the females of several Lepidopterous insects are 

 nearly apterous : but I believe all at present described possess 

 the rudiments of wings and antennœ, with perfect feet. The 

 female of P/tahcua antiqua of Linn., which I have often collected 

 Avhen a boy, not only quits the folliculus, but, copula jiiucta, en- 

 joys with its partner the pleasures of the open fields. Here, 

 however, we have an animal which in its adult state is for ever 

 excluded from the light, and never even beholds the mate to 

 which it is indebted for its progeny. After impregnation, the 

 female begins to fill the bottom of its puparium with her ova 

 closely packed in the down rubbed from her body ; and having 

 performed this duty, either presses herself through the thoracic 

 carina, reduced to a shrivelled morsel of dried and scarcely ani- 

 mated skin, or dies within the case. 



The young soon force their way out of the puparium which 

 had served for the defence of the ova, and spreading about the 

 tree (an innumerable host), prepare themselves an habitation 

 before their first repast. 



Ordo. 



