INSECT VAllIETY. 119 



nocturnal ; and thus inhabiting a colder atmosphere, we find their 

 bodies are often more thickly clothed with hair and scales than the 

 diurnae. They also j)resent us with a music, whose emotional 

 springs remain now to be interpreted by metaph3^sics, as its 

 mechanism by anatomy. Certain of these that present a passage 

 from the sunny butterflies are said to possess musical organs 

 similar in construction and position to those of diurnal Cicadse, 

 which they not remotely resemble. Of this, the genus Glaitcopis, 

 in the family of the bright little Burnets and the Australian 

 Hecastesia Thi/rvlon, afford examples, the latter being known to 

 produce a sound. Generally the heteroceral music presents 

 features that confer on it a doubtful appearance as to whether it 

 appertains to the instrumental or vocal class. 



The Death's Head Moth (Plate IV., Fig. 8), on certain spots 

 planted with potato, occasionally emerges from the chrysalis 

 state in no inconsiderable numbers, and although seldom seen 

 flying, and scarce attainable but by rearing from caterpillar or 

 chrj'Salis, is at times found in hiding in the daytime, and at 

 night has been known to congregate round a lantern. But in 

 the evening glow, just when the October sun is oversoon dipping 

 beneath the horizon, the Death's Head is not unfrequently 

 observed suspiciously fluttering around beehives, that, heated by 

 the short noon, are effusing a thy my fragrance of nectar, which 

 a short proboscis and heavy flight lead him to seek in specific 

 quantity, in preference to any doubtful measure at the bottom of 

 cups and tubular flowers where his kind hover. And when the 

 shades of night have settled on the landscape, this sly marauder 

 may again be observed stealing from the drowsy citadel of the 

 bees, intoxicated and bathed with sweet honey, yet unharmed and 

 unmolested.^ 



But another trait, and one with which we are more imme- 

 diately interested, is a power this reveller has of emitting a shrill 

 and plaintive squeak, scarcely distinguishable from that of a 

 mouse. This flute-like note the moth has not been observed to give 

 out on the wing as is usual with Lepidoptera, but only on the 

 ground when disturbed and seeking concealment, or when touched 

 or handled. A correspondent to the Enioviologisi' & Weekltj 



* Kirby and Spencc, Lcttr. XVII., p. 317. 



