MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



times the gathered silk ends comb suflBcient down from 

 an emerging Cecropia to leave a terra cotta rim around 

 the opening from which it came; but I never saw one 

 lose enough at this time to disfigure it. On very rare 

 occasions a deformed moth appears. I had a Cecropia 

 with one wing no larger than my thumb nail, and it never 

 developed. This is caused by the moth sustaining an 

 injury to the wing in emergence. If the membrane is 

 slightly punctured the liquid forced into the wing for its 

 development escapes and there is no enlargement. 



Also, in rare instances, a moth is unable to escape at 

 all and is lost if it is not assisted; but this is precarious 

 business and should not be attempted unless you are 

 positive the moth will die if you do not interfere. The 

 struggle it takes to emerge is a part of the life process of 

 the moth and quickens its circulation and develops its 

 strength for the affairs of Ufe afterward. If the feet 

 have a steady pull to drag forth the body, they will be 

 strong enough to bear its weight while the wings dry 

 and develop. 



All lepidopterists mention the wet condition of the 

 moths when they emerge. Some explain that an acid 

 is ejected to soften the pupa case so that the moth can 

 cut its way out; others go a step farther and state that 

 the acid is from the mouth. I am extremely curious 

 about this. I want to know just what this acid is and 

 where it comes from. I know of no part of the thorax 



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