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JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). [Vol. II., PART L 



though some may occasionally be found by pulling up tufts of 

 grass, and examining the roots among which they lie concealed. 

 Some of the internal feeders upon the wood and pith of trees? 

 &c, are also active during the night, lengthening their covered 

 galleries, which are formed from the digested particles of their 

 food. The best means of capturing these is to watch the 

 covered way (which may sometimes be seen of several inches 

 in length hanging down the trunk of a tree), and, on ascertain- 

 ing which is the end attached to the hole in the wood, suddenly 

 to press the finger over it, thus stopping the return of the 

 inmate, who is capable of a swift retrogade movement and can 

 progress either way with astonishing speed. On lifting the web, 

 if the larvae is not visible, rest assured he is inside the stem far 

 out of reach. These internal feeders are most difficult to rear, 

 the surest method being to fasten a piece of strong gauze in 

 in the shape of a bag over the aperture, and watch the natural 

 egress of the moth. The watcher's patience, however, may 

 perhaps be tried, as several of these species are three or four 

 years in the larvae and pupa (chrysalis) state. Nevertheless, 

 as it is most probable that the discovery of the larvae is owing 

 to the large size of its web, it will be nearly full-grown. 



Some species, again, are gregarious feeders. Some of these 

 envelope themselves in a large mass of leaves and silk, and as 

 they consume the foliage around them keep adding fresh ma- 

 terials to their domicile. Others march out in order in a 

 wedge shape, stripping the leafy covering of the trees most 

 completely, leaving them almost, if not entirely, bare. These 

 larvae are termed " processionary caterpillars," Most of the 

 gregarious feeders are very common, and are easily found. 

 Some of them shed their hair when handled, which, entering 

 the uncovered skin of the face and hands, causes extreme and 

 long irritation. 



Others, again, such as some of the Limacodes, actually sting, 

 their spines being sharp and furnished with a very pungent acid. 



