92 THE LIFE OF A MOTH 



venient Lilac leaf and began by winding silk in- 

 dustriously around the twig where it grew. From 

 this foundation she proceeded down the stem of the 

 leaf, winding around and about and thus spinning a 

 tenacious silk cord. On reaching the leaf she began 

 to fold it about herself, drawing it in gradually at 

 various points until it became a closely enfolding 

 overcoat. Within this covering the exuded thread of 

 silk was wound and wound until it formed a complete 

 and strong cocoon cemented securely to the enfolding 

 leaf. Thus protected the inert chrysalis slept through 

 the winter, oblivious to frost, snow, and rain. Some 

 day we shall discover a means of dissolving the gum 

 with which our Canadian Moths cement the silk 

 of their cocoons, and then we shall have the raw 

 material for a silk industry. 



With the approach of evening the Promethea 

 begins to manifest great activity, trembling and 

 pulsating with abundant life. Her beauty is not 

 destined to perish unappreciated, for the closing 

 darkness brings several suitors to the open window. 

 The males are darker and of different form, and live 

 but to fulfil their reproductive mission. Away goes 

 the beautiful lady with dizzy, irregular flight, perhaps 

 to fall a victim to the Night-hawk calling out of 

 the darkness overhead, but more likely to sparingly 

 distribute her eggs on the Lilac, Witch-hazel, and 

 Choke-cherry trees for many miles along her noc- 



