476 



INSECTS AT HOME. 



On the same Woodcut, at Fig. 3, is shown the too common 

 Cabbage Moth {Mamestra hrassica?). 



That this Moth subserves some good purpose is evident from 

 the fact of its existence, but what that purpose may be is not 

 easy to discover. It may, perhaps, be useful in keeping down 

 the too abundant vegetation in wild and uncultivated countries, 

 and so may have done good service when this laud was one vast 



LIV 





.^^' 



1. Leucania turca. 2. Agrotis segetnm. 3. Mamestra brassicae. 

 a. Tryphasiia, larva. 



4. Tryphrena janthina. 



hunting-ground, and our predecessors used flint instead of steel, 

 and a wash of woad by way of dress. At all events, it is very 

 much out of place so far as regards civilised society, and we 

 could well spare it if it had been improved off the face of 

 creation, in company with the wolf, the bear, and tlie beaver. 



The caterpillar of this Moth is one of the most voracious 

 lierb-feeders in this country. It can eat almost any herb, but 

 prefers those which belong to the cabbage tribe. As for those 



