We have repeatedly witnessed the proceedings of these insects from the very foundation of their structures; and, at the moment of writing this, we turned out one from the carcase of an "old lady moth" (_Mormo maura_, Ochsenheim) in our cabinet, and placed it on a desk covered with green cloth, where it might find materials for constructing another dwelling. It wandered about for half a day before it began its operations; but it did not, as is asserted by Bonnet, and Kirby and Spence, "in moving from place to place, seem to be as much incommoded by the long hairs which surround it, as we are by walking amongst high grass," nor, "accordingly, marching scythe in hand," did it, "with its teeth, cut out a smooth road."[BU] On contrary, it did not cut a single hair till it selected one for the foundation of its intended structure. This it cut very near the cloth, in order, we suppose, to have it as long as possible; and placed it on a line with its body. It then immediately cut another, and placing it parallel to the first, bound both together with a few threads of its own silk. The same process was repeated with other hairs, till the little creature had made a fabric of some thickness, and this it went on to extend till it was large enough to cover its body; which (as is usual with caterpillars) it employed as a model and measure for regulating its operations. We remarked that it made choice of longer hairs for the outside than for the parts of the interior, which it thought necessary to strengthen by fresh additions; but the chamber was ultimately finished by a fine and closely-woven tapestry of silk. We could see the progress of its work by looking into the opening at either of the ends; for at this stage of the structure the walls are quite opaque, and the insect concealed. It may be thus observed to turn round, by doubling itself and bringing its head where the tail had just been; of course, the interior is left wide enough for this purpose, and the centre, indeed, where it turns, is always wider than the extremities. (J. R.) [Illustration: Cases, &c., of the Clothes-Moth (_Tinea pellionella_).--_a_. Caterpillar feeding in a case, which has been lengthened by ovals of different colours; _b_. Case cut at the ends for experiment; _c_. Case cut open by the insect for enlarging it; _d_, _e_. The clothes-moths in their perfect state, when, as they cease to eat, they do no further injury.]