ARCHITECTURE OF MOTHS. 83 



very centre of the wood, where it forms extensive 

 spiral excavations. An idea may be formed of the 

 extent of these, when it is mentioned tliat tliis cater- 

 pillar gi'ows to a very large size, not unfrequently 

 four inches in length, and upwards of half an inch 

 in breadth, exclusive of its limbs. 



When the cold weather sets in, it excavates an 

 ample hollow in the tree, sufficiently large to contain 

 its body coiled up. Professor Rennie mentions 

 having found one, in 1827, in its winter nest, which 

 was enveloped in " a fabric as thick as coarse broad- 

 cloth, and equally warm, composed of the raspings 

 of wood scooped out of the cell, united with strong 

 silk."* The following is a figure of one of these in 

 its winter nest : 



Some other of the Tineoe display still greater 

 sagacity, in constructing habitations for themselves ; 

 those which feed upon the leaves of the oak, elm, 

 apple, and rose trees, on the under sides of which 

 they may be frequently found during summer, parti- 

 cularly exemplifying this. They eat the parenchyma 

 • Insect Architecture, p. 190. 



