MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 251 



darting forth small flocks of a cottony matter that fills 

 it a . This manoeuvre is probably connected with our 

 present subject, and employed to defend it from its ene- 

 mies. It also ejects a fluid from its anus. 



There is a moth in New Holland, the larva of which 

 annoys its foes in a different way : from eight tubercles 

 in its back it darts forth, when alarmed, as many bunches 

 of little stings, by which it inflicts very painful and ve- 

 nomous wounds 5 . 



The caterpillar of the moth of the beech (Stauropus 

 Fagi), called the lobster, is distinguished by the uncom- 

 mon length of its anterior legs. Mr. Stephens, an acute 

 entomologist, relates to me that he once saw this animal 

 use them to rid itself of a mite that incommoded it. 

 They are probably equally useful in delivering it from 

 the ichneumon and its other insect enemies. Dr. Ar- 

 nold has made a curious observation (confirmed by Dr. 

 Forsstrom with respect to others of the genus) on the 

 use of the long processes or tails that distinguish the 

 secondary wings of Thecla larbas. These processes, 

 he remarks, resemble antennae, and when the butterfly is 

 sitting it keeps them in constant motion ; so that at first 

 sight it appears to have a head at each extremity ; which 

 deception is much increased by a spot resembling an eye 

 at the base of the processes. These insects, perhaps, 

 thus perplex or alarm their assailants. Goedart pre- 

 tended that the anal horn with which the caterpillars 

 of so many hawk-moths (Sphingidtf] are armed, answers 

 the end of a sting instilling a dangerous venom : but 

 the observations of modern entomologists have proved 



1 Reaurn. ii. 155. (. vii./. 47. b Lewin's Prodromus. 



