OAK EGGER. 115 



and instead of presenting an array of stiff bristles, 

 is covered with thick soft hair of a yellowish -brown 

 colour, diversified with stripes of a deep velvety 

 black, arranged so as to resemble the slashed vest- 

 ments that were so fashionable some centuries ago. 



This caterpillar is the larva of the Oak Egger- 

 moth, and is not so remarkable as a caterpillar as 

 for the house which it builds for its pupal residence. 



After changing its skin the requisite number of 

 times, the caterpillar ceases to feed, and, proceeding 

 to some convenient spot (generally a faded thorn- 

 branch) , spins its temporary habitation. This cocoon, 

 as it is called, is about an inch in length ; and into 

 that narrow space the creature contrives to push, 

 not only itself, but also its last and largest skin. 



The substance of the cocoon is hard and rather 

 brittle when dry ; and in texture somewhat re- 

 sembles thin brown cardboard. In its substance, 

 and on its surface, are woven many of the hairs with 

 which the caterpillar is furnished. If the cocoon is 

 carefully opened, the chrysalis will be found within, 

 its head towards the spot where the moth is to 

 emerge, and the cast caterpillar-skin crumpled down 

 by its tail. 



In course of time, the chrysalis passes through its 

 development, and the egger-moth itself pushes its 

 way out of the cocoon, with wings and body wet and 

 wrinkled, but soon to assume their proper form and 

 strength. The cocoon is shown at plate I, fig. 5 a. 



