92 ON THE HABITATIONS AND 



somewhat more difficult. But they set about it in a 

 manner similar to the mode employed by a tailor, 

 by slitting the case open from one extremity to 

 another, and then inserting a piece of the breadth 

 required, with the utmost accuracy. The cut is, 

 however, not made from one end to the other at 

 once, as in that event the sides of the case would 

 get too far apart, and leave the tenant naked. It 

 therefore only cuts each side halfway down, as 

 sliown in the following figure : 



and, after having inserted the necessary addition, 

 proceeds to cut the other half, and fills it up in the 

 same manner. In this way four separate pieces are 

 inserted. As the colour of their covering always 

 depends upon the colour of the stuff frcjm which 

 it is taken, it not unfrequently happens, tliat when 

 the animal has made its first envelope of blue, it 

 may afterwards make its way into a red stuff, and 

 consequently, the additions will be of that colour, 

 giving the creature the appearance of a little harle- 

 quin. 



The injury sustained by mankind from these 

 minute depredators, does not proceed from the 

 quantity which they consume as food and clothing 

 alone ; for, as they proceed along the surface of fur 

 or woollen stuff, the long hairs impede their progress. 



