240 On Laap, or Lerp, the Cup-lihe Coverings, dc. 



grows, the digestive or secretory functions seem to be more 

 perfectly performed, and the material of the covering become 

 of a rich canary-yellow colour, and very translucent. The 

 shell of yellow lerp varies in diameter from one-third to one- 

 half of an inch. (Fig- 3 c.) 



The strong threads all rise^ from near the point of 

 attachment, which is at the cleft of the heart-shaped base, 

 and arching over meet the leaf. 



Aroufnd this fixed point the leaf is always more or less 

 dried up and discoloured. A thick tuft of curling hairs 

 rises from the neighbourhood of the apex. The finer striae, 

 which are disposed parallel to the surface of the leaf, and " 

 line the roof, are quite distinct and separate from each 

 other. Around the base is a broad flat band of an open 

 reticulated texture. A white filmy carpet, composed of 

 extremely fine threads crossing in all directions, completes 

 the interior of this beautiful structure. The pupa and perfect 

 insect are twice as large as those which fabricate the white lerp. 

 The head and thorax are more highly coloured, and the 

 abdomen of a warmer green. (Fig. 0.) 



The elytra and wings are diaphanous, but the wing-cases 

 of the pupa, and the elegant symmetrical nervures of the 

 elytra of the perfect insect, are of a bright scarlet colour. 



[Under each of these limpet-like coverings there is usually 

 found one or two little drops of a thickish, nearly trans- 

 parent, and sweet fluid, like honey, deposited there no doubt 

 by the insect after enclosing itself, to become a resource 

 probably in case of protracted imprisonment from any 

 unfavourable state of the season as to temperature, humidity, 

 &c. The insect would appear to be very susceptible to 

 changes of temperature, and perhaps to atmospheric influences 

 generally ; for I have observed that, when a twig having 

 leaves, with the white cones plentifully scattered over them. 



