294 THE GOAT MOTH. 



state it may be placed ; " for even the sea monsters 

 draw out the breast." We have one example given 

 us of indifference, and it seems advanced as a soli- 

 tary circumstance, a deviation from the general ana- 

 logy of nature beyond the comprehension of man 

 that of the ostrich, which is " hardened against her 

 young ;" and why ? because " God hath deprived 

 her of understanding," hath especially withheld 

 from her, from motives not assigned, that ascendant 

 tenderness with which he has endowed all others. 

 We may not understand a motive we may miscon- 

 ceive an object; but to render it adverse to an 

 apparent universal appointment, cannot safely be 

 attempted. 



In the autumn of the year 1827, the larvae of the 

 goat moth (phalana cossus*) abounded beyond any 

 customary proportion, and we could commonly see 

 the traces made by these creatures in the dust. 

 They had apparently fed during the summer in the 

 earth, and were now proceeding in search of a re- 

 treat during winter to some old hedge-row tree 

 a part to repose, and those which approached ma- 

 turity to abrade the softer wood, and form their 

 cases, preparatory to changing to a final perfect 

 state in the spring. At times we observed them 

 coursing along our paths with great strength and 

 activity ; and when not seen, that peculiar subtile 

 smell, which proceeds from them, and has been 

 thought to resemble that of the goat, was percep- 

 tible in all our walks. The object and seat of this 

 odour seem not well understood. Some have con- 



