788 Note on the New Zealand Caterpiller. [Sept. 



and, if I am right in my solution of the mystery, it is effected in the 

 following way. 



A twig or tendril of the tree, or more probably a climbing plant, on 

 which it subsists in the larva state, having been selected for its pur- 

 pose, the caterpillar smooths off the end with its sharp mandibles and 

 thus forms a clean and even surface to proceed upon. It then splits the 

 bark and vegetable fibres for a short distance up the stem, separates 

 the divided portions and insinuates its head between the intervals so 

 formed, leaving the divided ends to close over and by their compressing 

 force to retain the head in a fixed position, when by the aid of a kind 

 of gluten plentifully supplied from all parts of the body, and apparently 

 possessing the properties of caoutchouc, the two dissimilar bodies are 

 firmly glued as it were into one ; in this vertical posture I conclude 

 the transformations from one stage to another pass on, till the imago or 

 winged form is assumed. Beyond the idea of mechanical support on 

 the one hand and self-preservation on the other inherent throughout 

 all animated nature, it is difficult to assign to this curious appendage 

 any other more suitable office, and what would seem to give some sup- 

 port for this conclusion is my having detected what has every appear- 

 ance of being the divided and radiating fibres of the stem, extending 

 over the head of the caterpillar as before explained, but the specimens 

 are in such a dried and unfit state for an investigation of this nature 

 that I can only offer what I have here stated as a provisional exposition 

 to be confirmed or invalidated by more competent persons, whose 

 advantages may afford a fuller scope for their investigations : to sup- 

 pose that animal and vegetable matter, each possessed as we know they 

 are of different and distinct properties, (though both composed of the 

 elements of common matter,) can ever become continuous and co-exis- 

 tent is irrational and contrary to the common laws of nature, for the 

 changes and operations that take place within themselves separately 

 and individually, are too widely diversified ever to admit of such a rela- 

 tion as the one here erroneously conceived. 

 Sept. Zrd, 1838. 



Note.— Edwards, in his Gleanings of Natural History, a work published above 

 70 years ago, mentions an insect that was brought from Dominica and of many 

 more found at the same place, having a fungus shooting from the head, but he gives 

 bo solution of the extraordinary phenomenon. 



