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THE TUSSOCK MOTH 



WE seldom admire the beauty of a creeping insect* 

 The rich markings and glowing colours of Moths and 

 Butterflies may be appreciated while they sail dizzily 

 through the air or perch a moment among nectar- 

 laden flowers. But the creeping, crawling, leaf-eating 

 thing, with feet that hook, and clasp, with bristly 

 projections and abnormal rings and joints, is generally 

 looked upon with aversion* A few weeks ago the 

 Tussock Moths were crawling about with the 

 timidity of a persecuted race. Their picturesque 

 forms and gay contrasts of colour won no popular 

 admiration. Their rich markings in red, black, 

 yellow, and grey were chaste and delicate, even if they 

 did present an unfinished appearance. There is no 

 right way to stroke the Tussock Moth Caterpillar. 

 His long horns and tail suggest the most repellent 

 personage imaginable. The four diminutive paint- 

 brushes rising from his back, and moving with every 

 undulation of his lively, crawling body, seem an 

 unnecessary decoration, and while they may help to 

 win admiration they do not encourage familiarity. 

 There are handsome but repellent bushy tufts 

 of yellow hair along his sides, and these seem to 



