GOAT-MOTH. 183 



The caterpillar, which is said sometimes to attain 

 a, size exceeding that of the Death's-head-moth, is 

 of a lurid red, slightly tinged with dull yellow, and 

 having a patch of chestnut-red on the back of each 

 segment. The head is entirely black, and there are 

 two triangular spots of the same colour just behind 

 it. (PL xiv. fig. 3.) It does not consume the foliage 

 of trees, like so many other caterpillars, but derives 

 its nutriment from the solid wood, which it readily 

 comminutes by the action of its jaws. By means of 

 these powerful organs, it mines its way through the 

 stem of the most healthy tree, to the material injury 

 of its vital functions, and, by forming numerous 

 galleries in all directions which admit air and mois - 

 ture, often occasions a rapid decay. As this creature 

 lives for a longer time than is assigned to most other 

 larvae, these destructive operations are continued for 

 a lengthened period, three years being the space that 

 usually elapses before it becomes a chrysalis. Pre- 

 paratory to undergoing this change, it scoops out a 

 hollow in the tree, which it lines with a warm fa- 

 bric composed of the raspings of the wood and layers 

 of strong silk. In this well protected dormitory the 

 chrysalis reposes for a longer or shorter time accord- 

 ing to circumstances, and when the inclosed fly is 

 fully matured, the difficult task awaits the former 

 of transporting itself to the surface, as it is impos- 

 sible for the moth to emerge and develope its wings 

 either in the narrow cell or the perforations that 

 lead to it. This is accomplished chiefly by means 

 of a series of small spinous projections arming the 



