MOTH-CATERPILLARS. 



221 



that its first house becoming too narrow, it must 

 either enlarge it, or build a new one. It prefers the for- 

 mer as less troublesome, and accomplishes its purpose 

 " as dexterously," says Bonnet, " as any tailor, and 

 sets to work precisely as we should do, slitting the 

 case on the two opposite sides, and then adroitly in- 

 serting between them two pieces of the requisite size. 



Cases, Ijc. of the Chlhes-Muth (Tinea pellionelta)—a, caterpilla 

 bp ding in a case, which has been lengthened by ovals of dillereu 



by tho insect, for enlarging it. 

 perfect state, when, as they c ~" 



, the clothes-moths 

 : to cat, they do no further injury. 



It does not, however, cut open the case from one end 

 to the other at once ; the sides would separate too 

 far asunder, and the insect be left naked. It therefore 

 first cuts each side about half way down, beginning 

 sometimes at the centre and sometimes at the end, 

 (Fig. c.) and then, after having filled up the fissure, 

 proceeds to cut the remaining half; so that, in fact, 

 four enlargements are made, and four separate pieces 

 inserted. The colour of the case is always the same 

 as that of the stuff from which it is taken. Thus, if 

 its original colour be blue, and the insect, previously 

 to enlarging it, be put upon red cloth, the circles at 



