MOTH. 
227 
a pair of milk-white stripes, which commencing' 
from the head, run upwards to the top of the back; 
that part being elevated considerably above the 
rest into a pointed process; and from thence are 
continued along the sides to the tail : the face is 
flat, and siibtriangiilar, yellowish, surrounded first 
by a black, and then by a red border; and is dis- 
tinguished by two deep-black eyes or spots on 
each side the upper part : from the tail, which is 
extended into two long, roughened, sharp-pointed, 
tubular processes, proceed, on the least irritation, 
two long, red, flexible tentacula, the animal seem- 
ing to exert them as if for the purpose of terrify- 
ing Its disturbers; lifting up the fore-part of the 
body at the same time, in a menacing attitude, 
and presenting a highly grotesque appearance: it 
also possesses the power of suddenly ejecting from 
its mouth, to a considerable distance, an acri- 
monious reddish fluid, which it uses as a farther 
defence, and which produces considerable irrita- 
tion if it hapjrens to be thrown into the eyes of 
the spectator. This caterpillar is principally seen 
on Willows and Poplars, and when the time of its 
change arrives, descends to the lov/er part of the 
tree, and envelops itself in a glutinous case, pre- 
pared by moistening with its saliva the woody 
fibres of the tree, and covering itself with them, 
attaching the edges very closely to the bark: this 
case, having very much the colour of the bark 
itself, is not very conspicuous, so that the in- 
sect generally remains secure under its covering 
throughout the whole winter, it being too close to 
