too heavy to crawl in search of their food with their back up, as is usual with most caterpillars, but traverse the branches suspended by the feet. (See Plate XV. fig. 2.)
When the caterpillars are ready to spin the cases in which they are to pass the chrysalis state, each of them connects, by means of the recent glutinous filament of which the case is made, two or three leaves into an exterior envelope, which serves as a basis to spin the complete case or cocoon in; besides, the case is suspended from the branch of the tree in a wonderful manner by a thick, strong, consolidated cord, spun of the same material, from the bowels of the animal. (This pedunculated cocoon is represented on Plate XV. fig. 3.) This case is of an exact oval shape and exceeding firm texture; in it the animal remains dormant and perfectly protected for about the space of nine months, viz. from October till July, so that they make their appearance in time for the caterpillars to come into existence when Providence has furnished them with the greatest plenty of proper food, viz. during the months of August, September, and October. When the insect is prepared to make its escape and be changed to its perfect state, it discharges from its mouth a large quantity of liquid, with which the upper end of the case is so perfectly softened as to enable the moth to work its way out in a very short space of time; an operation which is always performed during the night.
The perfect insect, according to Dr. Roxburgh, to
