538 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
of the insect, rudimentary prolegs being present on the 3rd, 4th, Sth, 
and 6th segments of the abdomen. The anal prolegs are very strong, 
and are furnished with numerous sharp hooklets, which retain the 
larva very firmly in its case. Asit grows it increases the length of 
its domicile from the anterior, and causing it gradually to assume a 
more tubular form, tapering towards the posterior aperture, which is 
enlarged from time to time. The outside is covered with numerous 
fragmentary leaves and twigs of various sizes placed longitudinally on 
the case, and frequently there are green pieces near the anterior 
aperture, which the larva has recently selected and joined on. The 
interior is lined with soft smooth silk of alight brown colour, the 
thickness of the whole fabric being about the same as that of an 
ordinary kid glove, and so strong that it is impossible to tear it, or 
indeed to cut it, except with sharp instruments. The size of the case 
when the caterpillar is mature varies considerably, ranging from 
twenty-five to thirty lines or more in length, and about three in 
diameter, the widest portion being a little behind the anterior 
aperture. 
During the day the larva spins a loop of very strong silk over a 
twig, the ends being joined to the upper edges of the case on each 
side; in this way it hangs suspended, the caterpillar lying snugly 
within. I have often known a larva to remain thus for over three 
weeks without moving, and afterwards resume feeding as before; 
this probably occurs while the inmate is engaged in changing his skin, 
ne Apcktsacn being most likely ejected through the posterior aperture 
of the case. 
At night the larve may be seen busily engaged; they project 
the head and first four segments of the body beyond the case, and 
walk about with considerable rapidity, often lowering themselves by 
means of silken threads; the only jlocomotives organs are of course 
their strong thoracic legs, which appear to easily fulfil their double 
function of moving both larva and case. If disturbed these insects at 
once retreat into their cases, closing the anterior aperture with a 
silken cord, which is kept in readiness for the purpose, and pulled 
from the inside by the retreating larva. This operation is most 
rapidly performed, as the upper edges of the case are flexible, and 
thus fold closely together, completely obstructing the entrance. 
From the case I will now turn to the description of its 
inhabitant. The chief peculiarities of the young larve have been 
noted above; what follows consequently refers to the full-grown 
caterpillar. The head is moderate in size, of a light yellowish colour, 
covered with a number of minute black specks; the first three 
segments are white, very smooth and shining, with a dark brown © 
dorsal line and a large lunate spot, similar in colour on the posterior 
margin of each at the side; there are also numerous small blackish 
dots, which become denser on the ventral surface; the legs are dark 
brown, and very robust. The abdominal segments are smaller than 
the preceding; the first dull brick-red in colour, with an obscure 
brownish band in the centre; the rest are of a uniform dull brown 
hue, almost black, they are much wrinkled, especially on the under 
surface; prolegs situated as in the young larva, but much smaller in 
proportion. Length from thirteen to twenty lines. 
a —— 
