ENEMIES OF THE CATERPILLAR. 77 
dry, it became so hard, a penknife could scarcely 
pierce it. 
So far, all went well with the experiment. The 
caterpillar changed into a chrysalis within its 
strong walls; and by and bye, the moth was 
fully expected to come forth. But an inveterate 
enemy was at hand, in the shape of an ichneumon 
fly; whose sharp borer is able to pierce through 
the hardest substance. In an unlucky moment 
she penetrated the cocoon, notwithstanding its 
strength, and laid her eggs in the chrysalis. The 
poor chrysalis was devoured by the little grubs; 
who then went into the chrysalis state themselves ; 
and instead of the puss-motli, out came an 
ichneumon fly. There were several others within 
the cocoon, but they could not make their way 
out, and so died. 
The ichneumon is sometimes called the cuckoo 
fly; and with good reason, because, like the 
cuckoo, it does not trouble to make a nest of 
its own, but lays its eggs in those of its 
neighbours. I think I ought just to say, that 
the puss-moth is so named, because its body 
is thickly covered with down; a little like the 
fur of a cat. 
Before I conclude this list of enemies, I might 
mention, that in New South Wales, the cater- 
