DIBECT BENEFITS FROM MOTHS. 6Q 



nests similar to those last described. They, how- 

 ever, differed so far, in being of a dense tissue, very 

 similar to Chinese paper, of the most immaculate 

 and shining whiteness. They were formed into 

 separable tissues, the innermost being thinner than 

 all the others, exceedingly thin and pellucid. These 

 were named the Bonibi/x Madrona, from the plant 

 on which they feed, by Humboldt. They are 

 social caterpillars, and these nests are formed by 

 their united labours. The manufacture of this silk 

 was an object of much commercial interest among 

 the ancient Mexicans, at least as far back as the 

 time of Montezuma, king of Mexico, who reigned 

 in the year 1511. These people pasted together 

 the inner layers, to form a thick, white, and glossy 

 pasteboard, for the purpose of writing. Humboldt 

 says, in his Political Essay on Keio Spain* that 

 handkerchiefs are manufactured from this silk at 

 various places in the intendency of Oaxaca. 



Indian grass used by anglers, is said to be pro- 

 cured by the Chinese from the gum and silk recep- 

 tacles of several of the Icpidopterous larvte. 



Most of the caterpillars of butterflies and moths 

 are formed so as to spin silk. This is of various 

 degrees of texture and colour, according to the 

 species ; and we have already seen, that Nature 

 has endowed them with this faculty for the protec- 



• Annals o/Sotany,yo\. iii. p. 59. 



