126 EMPEROR MOTH. 



issued, having eaten up the caterpillar. The eggs 

 are shown in fig. 1 e. 



If the reader will now refer to plate C, the central 

 figure will be found to represent a strikingly hand- 

 some moth, called, from its gorgeous plumage, the 

 " Emperor Moth ". 



Its body is covered with a thick downy raiment, 

 and the wings are clothed with plumage of a 

 peculiarly soft character, which is well represented 

 in the figure. The antennae, too, are elaborately 

 feathered. 



Although the beauty of this insect would entitle it 

 to notice in its perfect state, and the peculiar shape 

 of its larva — (see plate C, fig. 4 a) — would draw 

 attention, yet its chief title to admiration lies in the 

 cocoon which it constructs for its pupal existence. 



Externally, there is nothing remarkable in the 

 cocoon ; and, as may be seen in the same plate, fig. 

 4 b, it is a very ordinary, rough, flask-shaped piece 

 of workmanship. But if the outer covering be care- 

 fully removed, or if the cocoon be divided length- 

 ways, a very wonderful structure is exhibited. 



The inventor of lobster-pots is not known, and 

 history has failed to record the name of the man 

 who first made wire mouse-traps with conical en- 

 trances, into which the mice can squeeze themselves, 

 but exit from which is impossible. 



But, though the principle had not been applied to 

 lobsters or mice, it was in existence ages upon ages 



