1884.] G5 



mport to form a chrysalis ; afterwards, in three months, a caterpillar.' The first 

 extraordinary visitation has been followed by another annual one in the locality, 

 rhousands of rooks pay a daily visit early in the morning, and are devouring our 

 Irst visitors." 



" Mr. Thomas James, Aberkenfig, writes :— Having last week read the letter on 

 he pests of the mountains, and heard so many different accounts and opinions of 

 )eople on the same, I went to see for myself. Having found them, I bottled a few 

 ilozens as specimens, and I beg to offer an opinion and an experience of my own. 

 Tirst. What they are and how can we account for such numbers ? They are no 

 'aore nor less than very common caterpillars which we see every year, and every 

 hild in the country is very well acquainted with the little monster when in full 

 development. They have fourteen feet, and I should say a fine set of teeth, for they 

 levour their allowance with voracious rapidity. But it is for a very short time ; 

 §heir time of fasting is drawing nigh. 



^ " Second. What will they be ? From the egg came forth the cater as slender 

 ,8 silk thread. In nine days or a fortnight it attains its present size ; and, as I stood 

 ;azing at them, many burrowed into the ground, but the majority went into the 

 ,\ift8 of rushes and dead grass, there to remain fasting four, five, six, or seven 

 ^aonths, according to season. In that stage and state we will treat of them next, 

 'st. Their bodies contain gluish substance, and, as by perspiration, it flows out all 

 Ver the body, and thickens until a cloak is formed that will bear almost every 

 'ardship. 2nd. The form turns into a very ugly but harmless grub. In a few 

 i iWiths it resembles in shape the weaver's shuttle, the swordfish, and the rhinoceros. 

 ^he middle portion becomes large and lumpy, with a spear one-eighth of an inch 



rojecting forward from between the shoulders. The hind-part tapers as the shuttle ; 



'he head, also sloping, resembles that of the rhinoceros. In this position, without 

 fc Sod or water, and to all appearances dead and motionless, it awaits the next 

 i transformation, which takes place according to the season in April, May, June, July, 



lugust, and September. Now, in either or in all these months, we can expect to 



ie the buzzard-moth, which is the full development of this mysterious cater w^hich 



• \ causing so much anxiety. This moth, maturing last May, commenced forthwith 



• S propagate its offsprings by laying the eggs, and here is the caterpillar. Now, the 

 ■ 'atural and native place of this species of moth is marshy ground where rushes and 

 ^ ^gs of all kinds grow, such as are in abundance on flats on mountain-tops and 

 ' etween them also. 



" The buzzard-moth is a thick-bodied animal, small wings in comparison to its 

 ody, of light greyish ground-colour, spotted all over with a dark grey, and expires 

 ^- 'F old age and weariness in a few weeks after depositing the eggs, if he is left to live 

 ^ i long, for the poor harmless thing has many enemies. Birds of all kinds feast on 

 ^ I'b fiat body, and are, therefore, always chasing it. 3rd. How are we to account for 

 '' ^e countless numbers of this year? We will return to the summer of 1882, and 

 il^ 'Ike the ordinary number of moths left from the previous winter. They deposited 

 eir eggs that summer, transformed into caters, and, therefore, into grubs, and made 

 eir way to their proper refuges. When the grub fixes in a crevice, and that fills 

 ^ Sith rain-water so as to cover it, death is certain. If frost of long duration sets in 

 "* \ is destructive to the grubs which are only a few inches from the surface. The 

 ■^' -rge majority in rushes, old grass, and flags, are the safest by far. But when 



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