i8 COCOON OF EMPEROR-MOTH 



conceal it. Though 5delding, these cocoons 

 are extremely tough and durable, as they need 

 to be to withstand the winter months in an 

 exposed situation ; the collector, therefore, 

 oftener than not, is disappointed on finding 

 an old and empty case. But even this will 

 serve for investigation purposes, which, after 

 all, is what the true naturalist is out for rather 

 than the senseless object of making a mere 

 collection of things. 



This moth, also, would be powerless to get 

 out of the cocoon unless (as a larva) it had 

 made certain arrangements in anticipation of 

 the coming event. As I have said, the cocoon 

 is flask-shaped and tapers to a blunt point 

 where a few grass stems, interwoven, stick up 

 above it. It is here, at the top, where even- 

 tually the moth emerges ; but to understand 

 how the emergence is effected a sectional view 

 will explain better than any words can 

 describe. 



To obtain a section, cut down an empty 

 cocoon from the top to the base, dividing it 

 into equal halves. For this purpose an ordin- 

 ary pocket knife is of no use ; a lancet or some 

 really sharp instrument must be employed, 

 otherwise the part to be examined will be 

 crushed out of shape. When the severance 

 is neatly done, the " trick," so to speak, is 



