304 HOMES "WITHOUT HANDS. 



even been known to enter a pocket in which was a female shut 

 up in a box. 



Theee is an allied genus, named Psyche, found in England, 

 the males of which have their wings partly transparent, rather 

 long and sharply pointed, and the females are without wings at 

 all. 



The larva of this insect also makes a hollow case, and behaves 

 in a very curious manner before it assumes the pupal condition. 

 First, it fastens the mouth of the case firmly to the leaves or 

 branches of the plant on which it has been feeding, and then with- 

 draws itself into the case. Should it be a male larva, it turns 

 completely round, so that its head coincides with the opening at 

 the lower end of the case, through which it makes its escape when 

 fully developed. The female moth, however, behaves like that 

 of the House-builder, and, although she also fastens the mouth of 

 her case to the tree, she never leaves her home, and therefore 

 does not need to alter her attitude. 



The name of Psyche certainly seems to be misapplied in this 

 instance. In our minds the name of Psyche conveys an idea of 

 the utmost grace and delicacy — two attributes which sculptors 

 and painters have in vain endeavored to embody. If, therefore, 

 we hear that a certain insect is named Psyche, we certainly ex- 

 pect to see a bright and elegant creature, delicate in form and 

 pleasing in color. Whereas, when the domicile is opened and 

 the real Psyche comes to view, nothing can be more disappoint- 

 ing than the fat, awkward, shapeless grub which has been glori- 

 fied with such a name. 



One of our commonest moths makes a really beautiful pensile 

 nest, though it is hardly appreciated as it should be. I allude to 

 the well-known Tiger-Moth {Arctia caja), whose scarlet, white, 

 and brown robes are so familiar to every one who cares for in- 

 sects, or who happens to possess or take an interest in a garden. 



In two of its stages the insect is very common. In the larval 

 condition it is popularly known as the Woolly Bear, in conse- 

 quence of the coating of long bristle-like hairs with which its 

 body is profusely covered, and which project like the quills of a 

 porcupine, or the spines of a hedgehog, whenever the creature 

 rolls itself up, a movement which it always makes when alarmed. 

 So elastic are the hairs, that the caterpillar may be thrown from 



