334 THE CLOTHES MOTH. 



than to transmit a future brood. The male dies Jm+ 

 mediately after its conjunction with the female % 

 and she only survives him till she has laid her eggs, 

 which are to be hatched into worms in the ensuing 

 spring. 



In many parts of Italy the inhabitants contrive to 

 have two silk harvests in the year. They keep the 

 eggs in very cool places ; and, when the mulberry 

 trees (after having been stripped entirely of their 

 leaves for former worms) begin to bud a second 

 time, they expose the eggs to be batched. 



During the whole time, in which the animals con- 

 tinue in a worm state, the utmost care and attention 

 is necessary, as they are extremely susceptible of 

 cold, dampness, and unpleasant smells*. 



THE CLOTHES MOTH f . 



The larva of this little Moth is well known from 

 the damage it commits on woollen cloth and furs. 

 These substances constitute the principal support 

 of the caterpillar, and therefore the parent is, by its 

 natural instinct, directed to deposit its eggs in them. 

 The caterpillar, as soon as it quits the egg, begins to 

 form for itself a nest : for this purpose, after having 

 spun a fine coating of silk immediately around its 

 body, it cuts the filaments of the wool or fur close by 



* Hare and Skinner on the Progress of the Silkworm from the Rgg, 

 Amer. Phil. Tran. ii. 34.7. 



t Synonyms,— Phalsena ^arcltella. £;««.— Sinea sarcitdla. Fa- 

 bricius. 



