BOMBYCID^. 123 
venlently convey away at a time, and %Yhich it 
partly forces down its cell, where in security it 
feeds and sleeps during the whole day. Within 
this dwelling it is transformed to a pupa, generally 
in January, remaining twenty-two days in that 
state, is on the wing in February, and is then 
found on Banksia shrubs near Sidney. 
BOMBYCID^. 
The family of the Bombycid^ ( Bomhy cites ^ Lat.) 
contains an extensive assemblage of moths very 
varied in their aspect, but agreeing in having the 
organs of the mouth generally in a rudimentary 
or undeveloped state ; the wings either extended 
horizontally or deflexed at the sides; antennae of 
the males pectinated; larvas naked, often with 
transverse insulated tufts of hairs rising from tuber- 
cles ; 16- footed; living exposed on plants. When 
about to change to pupae, they enclose themselves 
in cocoons of silk ; and the pupee are destitute of 
teeth on the margins of the abdominal segments. 
Of all the genera included in this family, the 
pre-eminence must be assigned to Saturnia, whether 
we regard the number, size, and beauty of the 
species, or their utility to man. As at present con- 
