42 8 LEPIDOPTERA chap. 



larvae of these moths possess of rolling up leaves, or twisting 

 and distorting shoots and buds. 



The mode in which leaves and shoots are twisted and rolled 

 by the very small larvae has been much discussed and is pro- 

 bably the result of two or three distinct causes: — 1, the 

 immediate operations of the larva ; 2, the contraction of silk 

 when drying ; 3, changes in the mode of growth of the parts of 

 the vegetable, .resulting from the interference of the caterpillar. 

 The larvae of this family that live in fruits are only too widely 

 (we will not say well) known. Stainton gives as the habitat of 

 Ejnnotia funebrana, " larva frequent in plum-pies " ; the cater- 

 pillar of Carpocapsa p)omonella (the Codling -moth) mines in 

 apples and pears, and its ravages are known only too well in 

 widely distant parts of the world where fruit-trees of this kind 

 are cultivated. G. splenclana lives in acorns and walnuts ; G. 

 Juliana in Spanish chestnuts. Two, if not more, larvae live in 

 the seeds of Euphorbiaceous plants, and have become notorious 

 under the name of jumping-beans, on account of the movements 

 they cause. As these latter show no trace externally of being 

 inhabited, the movements are supposed to be a mysterious pro- 

 perty of the seed ; they are reaUy due to its containing a large 

 cavity, extending, in one direction of the seed, nearly or quite 

 from skin to skin ; in this the larva makes a movement sufficient 

 to alter the point of equilibrium of the quiescent seed, or as 

 a free body to strike some part of it. The exact nature of the 

 movements of the larva have not, we believe, been ascertained. 

 There are, at least, two species of these Insects, and two plants 

 harbouring them, known in the United States and Mexico, viz. 

 Garpocapsa saltitans living in the seeds of Groton colliguaja and 

 Graplwlitha sehastianiae living in the seeds of Sebastiania 

 Mcapsularis. 



Fam. 45. Tineidae. — Small moths with the labial palpi 

 more flexible and mobile than in other moths ; usually separated 

 and pointed. Hind wings frequently with very long fringes, the 

 wing itself being proportionally reduced in size, and in con- 

 sequence pointed at the tip. Larvae very diverse, almost always 

 with habits of concealment. The series of forms included under 

 this head is very numerous, the British species alone mounting 

 up to 700, while the total described cannot be less than 4000. 

 This number, however, must be but a fragment of what exists. 



