THE SILKWOEM MOTH. 



ceous, flexible, and provided witli small hooks, 

 which assist the animal in climbing. 



Tlie following is a figure of the caterpillar, about 

 two-thirds its dimensions when full grown : 



The shell is enclosed in a membranaceous sub- 

 stance, similar in consistence to the first six legs. 

 The mouth is vertical, and the jaws serrated like a 

 saw. The animal is furnished with eighteen breath- 

 ing holes, nine on each side down the body, at equal 

 distances. On each side of the head, near to the 

 mouth, seven eyes may be discovered by the aid of 

 a lens. The two circular protuberances higher up 

 the head, which look very like eyes, are simply 

 bones of the skull. The spinning apparatus is simi- 

 lar to that described at page 68 of this volume. 



When the worm becomes satiated with eating, it 

 then prepares for its change into the chrysalis con- 

 dition. The worm now fixes upon an angle, or 

 hollow place, whose dimensions agree with the size 

 of its intended cocoon, and begins its task by spin- 

 ning thin and irregular threads, which are for the 

 support of its future dwelling. The first day's la- 

 bour consists in forming a loose structure, of an oval 

 shape, which is termed floss silk, and within this 

 covering, in the three following days, it works the 



