156 



MR. STAINTON OlST ORGYIA. 



remains, from his observations, that the thin white cocoon which 

 has been taken for an expansion of the mantle is simply a pellicle 

 of mucus, secreted during hibernation or rest. 



The terminal processes represented in Mr. Berkeley's drawing as 

 embracing the sides of the shell appear to be a different structure 

 from this cocoon-pellicle. De Eerussac, however, describes the 

 mantle as being divided into several lobes ; and it is to be hoped 

 that some light may be thrown on this structure by further obser- 

 vations. Originally a native of the Canary Islands, Testacella has 

 become freely acclimatized in Europe through being imported with 

 plants y it is mostly found in the neighbourhood of maritime cities, 

 and generally in the vicinity of the hothouse or conservatory. 



On the Abnormal Habits of some Females of the Genus Orgyia. 

 By H. T. Stainton, Esq., E.L.S. 



[Kead May 1, 1862.] 



The genus Orgyia is a well-known genus of Moths, of the family 

 Liparidcs, in the group of the JBombycina. 



The males have well-developed wings, and, though of rather a 

 slighter habit, are not particularly different from the males of the 

 neighbouring genera; but the females at once attract attention 

 by the rudimentary condition of their wings and by the large size 

 of their bodies. 



One of the best-known of the genus is Orgyia antiqua, which is 

 excessively plentiful in the streets of London, the male being seen 

 flying freely about on bright days in July and August. The female 

 may often be noticed sitting on the outside of the cocoon in which 

 it has passed its pupa-state of existence. After copulation, the 

 female deposits her eggs on the surface of the cocoon. 



The Rev. Lansdown Ghrilding has stated, in the 15th volume of 

 the Transactions of this Society (p. 372), that the female of Orgyia 

 anliqua, " copula juncta, enjoys with its partnor the pleasures of the 

 open fields ;" but I am certainly not aware that such an observation 

 has been confirmed, and, looking to the disproportion of the size 

 of* the B6X68 and the utter incapacity of the female to assist in flight, 

 it, would appear phyi LCally impossible Indeed, 1 believe thai the 

 female rests on the cocoon whilsi receiving the advances of the 

 male, that she then deposits her eggs on the outside of the cocoon; 

 and not till her mission is completed does she drop off the cocoon, 

 in a dying state, a shrivelled, empty egg-bag. 



