22 



obscurity. From the fact of its affecting only the new and tender growth we should inter 

 that some atmospheric agency is j)iobably concerned in the production and propogation of 

 this disease. At present we have no remedy to suggest. 



ON SOME OF OUR COMMON INSECTS, 



By W. Sadnders, 



Thi; Cecropia uIoth (Attacus Cecropia, Linn.) 



Among the many beautiful and wonderful insects native to this country, there is lone 

 which excites yearly more wonder and astonishment than the cecropia moth. Its size is 

 enormous, measuring when its wings are spread from five and a half to six and a half inches 

 icross, and sometimes even more while its beauty is proportionate to its size. The accom- 

 panying figure 17 (after Riley) is a fvithful representation of this magnificent creature. 

 Both front and hind wings are of a rich brown, the anterior pair greyish, shaded^with^red, 



Fio. 17. 



the po.sterior more uniformi' , near the middle of e;i<.li nl the wings there is a nearly 



kidney shaped white spot shaded more or less with red, and margined with black. A wavy 

 dull red band cro.-j.ses each of the wings, edged inside on the front wings more or less faintly 

 ■with white, while on the hind pair the band is widely and clearly margined with the same 

 color. The outer edges of the wings are of a pale silky brown in which on the anterior pair 

 runs an irregular dull black line, which on the hind wings is replnced by a narrow, double 

 broken band of the same hue. The front wings next to the shoulders are dull red, with a 

 curved white and black band, varying much in di^-tiuetness in different specimens, and near 

 their tips, there is an eyelike black spot with a bluish white crescent. The upper side of the 



