Immense labour

Anonyme, « Some Insect Architects » Londres, People’s Magazine an Illustrated Miscellany for Family Reading, 1869, p. 83.

None, perhaps, are more singular than the caterpillars which produce the cads-flies, so favourite a bait with the angler. These also form abodes suited to the shape of their bodies, but constructed of most varied materials. These cases, which are always so adjusted by their being either too heavy or too light, present to us a most singular aspect. Some species choose one set of materials, some another, in the formation of them. If water plants are very abundant, we shall generally find that the cases are formed of vegetable substances-either leaves or short pieces which have been cut from the stems. Others prefer to use little pieces of wood which are floating up and down. Yet others avail themselves of the stones of their native home, and their little  edifices look very strong and beautiful. Some, by immense labour, glue together a series of grains of sand, forming a horn- shaped case, suited to the shape of their bodies most admirably. The caddis worms, we  may remember, can be readily kept in an aquarium, and are most instructive insects to watch and tend. If furnished with materials, they may be observed in the act of constructing the cases of which we speak.