plied to the mummy-like state to which the larva is subjected, previous to its becoming a perfect insect, or imago, as it is termed.
During this state of concealment, various changes happen to the enclosed insect.[1] The first change in its situation is its ceasing to continue in that coiled position in which it originally lay at the bottom of the cell, and extending itself along its whole length with its head in the direction of the mouth of the cell. The head begins to appear from the inert-looking mass, having a small protuberance, probably the rudiment of the proboscis; the first lineaments of the feet also appear, though of diminutive size. After the head is formed, and the proboscis prolonged, all the other parts display themselves successively, and the worm is changed into the perfect insect, except that its outer covering is yet white and soft, and has not that dark scaly texture which, as a proper coat of defence, it afterwards acquires. By this transformation the larva becomes divested of its cocoon, which is attached so closely to the internal surface of the cell, that it appears to form part of its substance, and adds considerably to its thickness. These linings are sometimes found to the number of seven or eight, adhering to the sides of the cell, and have an injurious effect often, diminishing, as they do, the cell's capacity, and exciting, by their strong smell, the attacks of moths and other enemies. The number of linings found adhering to a cell, and which may be disjoined by soaking; the comb in water, indicates the number
- ↑ Wildman.
