72 
LEPIDOPTERA. 
This order, as has already been frequently stated, includes the 
butterflies and moths, and these only. The larvae are true caterpil¬ 
lars, elongate and more or less cylindrical in form, with a distinct, 
comparatively large and horny head. With the exception of one or 
two footless species (one only is known in this country), they are 
provided with six true legs and from four to ten pro-legs. The first 
three pairs are covered with a horny skin, are pointed and taper¬ 
ing, and furnished at the tip with a single claw. The pro-legs are 
short, thick and blunt, and without any distinct or true joints. 
The bodies are composed of twelve rings, or segments, exclusive of 
the head, which, in descriptions, are numbered from the first behind 
the head—which is one or first —backward, the last or twelfth being 
the anal or caudal segment. Some are thickly covered with hairs, 
others but slightly, whilst others are entirely naked; some are 
smooth, while others are covered with tubercles, or have the body 
studded with spines or spiny hairs. The colors are various, though 
green and somber prevail. Most of the species have a little conical 
opening or tube in the lower lip, from which they spin the fine 
silken threads by which they suspend themselves*, form cocoons or 
webs, etc. 
They are found in almost every possible situation, though the 
larger portion of them are leaf eaters; some reside in wood, stems 
and canes; others in fruits and various substances. None, I be¬ 
lieve, are truly aquatic, and few, if any, truly parasitic on other 
insects. 
