92 
THE LIFE OF A MOTH 
venient Lilac leaf and began by winding silk in- 
dustriously around the twig where it grew. From 
this foundation she proceeded down the stem of the 
leaf, winding around and about and thus spinning a 
tenacious silk cord. On reaching the leaf she began 
to fold it about herself, drawing it in gradually at 
various points until it became a closely enfolding 
overcoat. Within this covering the exuded thread of 
silk was wound and wound until it formed a complete 
and strong cocoon cemented securely to the enfolding 
leaf. Thus protected the inert chrysalis slept through 
the winter, oblivious to frost, snow, and rain. Some 
day we shall discover a means of dissolving the gum 
with which our Canadian Moths cement the silk 
of their cocoons, and then we shall have the raw 
material for a silk industry. 
With the approach of evening the Promethea 
begins to manifest great activity, trembling and 
pulsating with abundant life. Her beauty is not 
destined to perish unappreciated, for the closing 
darkness brings several suitors to the open window. 
The males are darker and of different form, and live 
but to fulfil their reproductive mission. Away goes 
the beautiful lady with dizzy, irregular flight, perhaps 
to fall a victim to the Night-hawk calling out of 
the darkness overhead, but more likely to sparingly 
distribute her eggs on the Lilac, Witch-hazel, and 
Choke-cherry trees for many miles along her noc- 
