INSECTS. 325 



whole contrivance is one of the many illustrations of the 

 wonderful instinct of insects. When about to spin, the 

 worm secures two or more leaves, by entwining her silk 

 about their stems, and also around the woody twig upon 

 which they grow ; she then attaches them together by 

 bands of silk, and spins her cocoon between them. She 

 thus secures a winter resting place for her eggs, and her 

 progeny, when they hatch the next summer, are upon the 

 tree that furnishes them their appropriate food. These 

 dead leaves will attract our attention during the winter, 

 and should be gathered and burned. Many of the cater- 

 pillars are destroyed by a little Ichneumon-fly. 



Orgyia antiqna, or the Rusty Vaporer Moth, of Europe, 

 has been introduced into this country, and has been quite 

 destructive to thorn-hedges in Rhode Island. They may 

 become troublesome to our orchards. 



Several of these Arctians, or Tiger-moths, may be seen 

 about our houses on a summer evening, as they are 

 chiefly nocturnal. One of the most common is 



Arctia phalerata^ or the Harnessed Moth, so called 

 from the markings on its wings. Another distinctly 

 marked one is Gallimorpha militaris, now called G. JJe- 

 contei. Beautiful illustrations of these are given in Dr. 

 Harris' Report. 



Spilosoma Virginica, is the beautiful White Moth, or 

 " Miller," that we see in May ; it is the imago or perfect in- 

 sect of a large hairy caterpillar, of a yellowish color, fre- 

 quently seen in our gardens, and quite destnictive to 

 vegetation. 



Hyphantria textor, or the Fall Web-worm, is very 

 troublesome upon shrubs and trees during the summer and 



