376 
STRANGE DWELLINGS . 
tecting chevaux-de- frise of stems, and lastly a cover of silk, so 
that the inhabitant is as well protected from weather and foes 
as can be imagined. 
The next proceeding is to discover the architects of the nests. 
This is easily done, for some of the architects have assumed 
their perfect state during the voyage home, while others are 
preserved by spirits, in which their discoverer has thoughtfully 
placed some specimens. 
Here I may be allowed to mention that the example set by 
Mr. W. J. Tomkinson, who sent over these interesting objects, 
is one which is well worthy of imitation. Residents in other 
countries are too apt to forget the interests of their own, and 
they soon become familiar with the objects which at first are 
new and strange to them, and at last become entirely indifferent. 
Even when they do take the trouble to collect and send home 
a few objects, they do so in such a manner that they are almost 
useless, no description being given of them, and no clue afforded 
which can help the home-staying student. 
Here, however, proper pains have been taken, and the value 
of the objects is in consequence multiplied a hundred-fold. A 
number of nests were sent as they were -collected from the 
branches, and, in order to show that the architect is not confined 
to one species of tree, they have been carefully selected from 
several trees, such as the oak, acacia, and alder. My specimens 
are taken from the last-mentioned tree. Knowing that the pupae 
would become moths in the course of the voyage, Mr. Tom- 
kinson placed a number of them in the box, so that a perfect 
series of the insect has been obtained, namely, the male and 
female, pupa and larva, some in the dried state and others in 
spirits, in order that the internal anatomy might be examined. 
Before the male caterpillar changes into a chrysalis it reverses 
its position, so that the head is close to the -orifice which was 
previously occupied by the tail. When it has completed 
its change, and is about to issue into the world, it forces itself 
out of the nest as far as the base of the abdomen The female 
never leaves her home, and never changes her attitude, and 
scarcely changes her form. After she has emerged from the 
