NATURAL HISTORY. 509 



dener of Rosel, a famous naturalist, was quite disconcerted, af- 

 firming that he never saw insects hold their heads so high. 



The DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH is the largest of the British Lepi- 

 doptera, as it not unfrequently measures nearly six inches across 

 the wings. Its rather ominous name is derived from the singu- 

 lar marking in the thorax, which does not require much imga- 

 ination to represent a skull and cross-bones. 



Some naturalists have asserted that this moth makes its way 

 into bee-hives, and robs the inhabitants of their honey, disarm- 

 ing their resentment by a curious squeaking noise which it has 

 the power of producing. 



The uneducated rustics have a great horror of this insect, and 

 consider its appearance as a most disastrous omen. In a small 

 village removed from the influence of railways, on one Sunday 

 morning, as the inhabitants were going through the churchyard, 

 a Death's-head Moth appeared on the path. Every one recoil- 

 ed in dismay, and no one dared approach the dreaded object. 

 Sundry heads were shaken at the evil omen, and various pro- 

 phetic remarks made. At last, the blacksmith summoned up 

 courage, and with a great jump, came down on the unfortunate 

 moth, and happily destroyed it* The people were in blissful 

 ignorance that as there were several fields near planted with 

 potatoes, on which vegetable the caterpillar generally feeds, 

 there were probably a few hundred of Death's-head Moths in 

 the vicinity. 



In common with many other nocturnal insects, the eyes of 

 the Death's-head Moth shine at night like two stars, which adds 

 considerably to the terror inspired by its appearance. 



* I have this specimen now in my possession ; it is of course mashed quite flat. 

 It is a very singular fact, that those who, living so much in the open fields, would 

 be supposed to have a correct knowledge of natural phenomena, are really profoundly 

 ignorant of facts that pass daily before their eyes. 1 have already mentioned the pop- 

 ular superstitions regarding ells. 



