THE EMPEROR-MOTH 17 



a sorry looking object until its wings have 

 developed and stiffened. 



We ask ourselves, how, when plastering in 

 the "skylight," does the caterpillar know to 

 keep it practically free from bark, not entirely 

 because there is a shght sprinkling of scraps 

 on the outer surface which is evidently in- 

 tended to make the structure look uniform in 

 colour and general appearance? and why 

 should it take these precautions when, at the 

 time, it possesses jaws capable of cutting 

 through any part of the structure ? These 

 are questions which cannot be answered ex- 

 cept on the understanding of an Omniscient 

 Mind manifesting within. 



The next case is that of a very handsome 

 insect : The Emperor-Moth (Satumia carpini). 



The cocoon of this species is of quite a 

 different class : it may be looked for on moors. 

 The larva, also a beautiful object, feeds on 

 heather for the most part. When about to 

 turn, it chooses a thick growth of the plant, 

 where, amongst the topmost sprigs, it spins 

 a flask-shaped cocoon. Though somewhat 

 exposed in this position, it is easily overlooked 

 on account of colour resemblance, and also 

 from the fact that upstanding bents of dead 

 meUc-grass, common to moorlands, are often 

 found drawn in and enmeshed, which help to 



