INSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



will perhaps make the process clearer than a mora 

 detailed account. 



Leaf-rolling Caterpillars of tlte Sorrel. 



This caterpillar, like those of which we have 

 already spoken, devours all the interior of the roller. 

 It weaves, also, in the interior, a small and thin 

 cocoon of white silk, the tissue of which is made 

 compact and close, it is then transformed into a 

 chrysalis. 



The caterpillars of two of our largest and hand- 

 somest butterflies, the Painted Lady {Cynthia cardui, 

 Stephens), and the Admirable, or Alderman of the 

 London fly-fanciers {Vanessa atalanta), are also leaf- 

 rollers. The first selects the leaves of the great spear- 

 thistle, and sometimes those of the stemless, or star- 

 thistle, which might be supposed rather difficult to 

 bend ; but the caterpillar is four times as large and 

 strong as those which we have been hitherto de- 

 scribing. In some seasons it is plentiful ; in others 

 it is rarely to be met with : but the Admirable is 

 seldom scarce in any part of the country ; and by 



