86 
APPLE MOTH. 
between the leaves of the calyx, which form a tent above it 
that eifectually shields it from the inclemency of the wea- 
ther, or any other casualty. As soon as the egg hatches, 
the little grub gnaws a hole in the crown of the apple, and 
soon buries itself in its substance ; and it is worthy of re- 
mark that the rind of the apple, as if to aiford every facility 
to the destroyer, is thinner here than in any other part, 
and consequently more easily pierced. The apple most 
commonly attacked is the codling, a large, early sort, 
which ripens in July and August. 
The grub, controlled by an unvarying instinct, eats into 
the apple obliquely downwards, and by thus avoiding the 
core and pips in no way hinders its growth : at first it 
makes but slow progress, being little bigger than a thread, 
but after a fortnight its size and operations have much in- 
creased ; it has now eaten half way down the apple, and 
the position of the hole at the top, if the apple continue 
upright, or nearly so, is inconvenient for a purpose it has 
up to this time been used for, that is, as a pass to get rid 
of its little pellets of excrement, Vvhich are something like 
fine saw-dust or coarse sand ; another communication with 
the outer air is therefore required, and it must be so con- 
structed as to allow the power of gravity to assist in keep- 
ing it clear ; it is accordingly made directly downwards 
towards that part of the apple which is lowest, and thus 
the trouble of thrusting the pellets upwards through the 
eye of the apple is saved, and a constant admission given 
to a supply of air v/ithout any labour. The hole now 
made is not, however, sufiiciently open for an observer to 
gain by its means any knowledge of what is going on 
within ; this is only to be obtained by cutting open a num- 
ber of tlie apples as they gradually advance towards ripe- 
