THE TIGER MOTH. 291 



other creature that seems in no way affected by moist 

 seasons, which retard the appearance, or apparently 

 destroy so many others of its kind. This creature 

 has imprinted on its dark wings a white character, 

 something like the letter Y, but more like the 

 small Greek gamma, and hence has received a per- 

 tinent name. Like Cain, it bears with it, in all 

 its wanderings, a mark that distinguishes it from 

 others of its race. Its habits, also, are quite unlike 

 those of other moths, as it feeds principally in the 

 day-time ; and we see it late in the summer whisk- 

 ing about with all the activity and action of the 

 hummingbird sphinx. Like the latter it keeps its 

 wings, while feeding, in a constant state of vibration ; 

 haunts clover fields, and the yellow blossoms of the 

 wild mustard, and the heads of the pasture sca- 

 bious. It seems little mindful of the common frosts 

 of October, retiring from us with such reluctance, 

 that, should the autumn be fine, we not uncom- 

 monly find it in some piece of aftergrass, enjoying 

 there the few flowers which linger out the approaches 

 of November. 



We have no moth more strikingly handsome, or 

 which engages more attention when seen, than the 

 common tiger (Arctia caja) : it is by no means un- 

 usual in many places, at certain periods, but, like so 

 many others of these races, makes its appearance at 

 very uncertain intervals. The larvae may usually be 

 found among the foliage of the strawberry in June, 

 covered with long grey hair, dark on the back, and 

 rufous on the undersides ; and they delight to feed 



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