INTRODUCTION. 
78 
The head and anterior part of the little iiunate 
project, ivlien it moves, from the opening at the 
widest end, imd when the moth is perfected it issues 
from the other, which has been preriously ividened 
to allow an easy passage. Previous to its change 
into a chrysalis, the caterpillar fixes its dwelling 
securely to a stone, by means of a strong mooring 
of silk. The gentleman who first described the 
proceedings of this creature, supposed that it used 
the particles of stone for food, hut more accurate 
observation soon proved tliat they are employed only 
for the purpose above described. Its real food 
seems to he lichens and minute mosses, which 
usually abound on old walls. 
The weight of such a covering may he supposed 
to impede materially the insect’s movements, for 
never, says Reaumur, was a Roman soldier charged 
with such a burden. Others accorduigly select a 
lighter material to cover the layer of silk which 
they invariably place next their bodies. Some 
kinds (such as Psyche radiella, Curtis B. E. fol. 
3.32) may he said to thatch it, for they invest it 
with small pieces of withered grass of different 
lengths, which lie over each other and form a kind 
of imbricated coating. Others fabricate tliis outer 
vestment from fi-agments of leaves; and a small 
species described by Reaumur, which feeds on a 
kind of Astragalus, ornaments its covering with 
what he calls furbelows or flounces, resembling those 
used by ladies in former times*. Similar to these 
* Keaumur, vol. iii. PI. 11. fig. 1. 
