ilOTII. 117 



a pair of milk-white stripes, which commencing 

 from the head, rim upwards to the top of the back; 

 that part being elevated considerably above the 

 rest into a pointed process; and from thence are 

 continued along; the sides to the tail: the face is 



o 



flat, and snbtriangular, yellowish, surrounded first 

 by a black, and then by a red border; and is dis- 

 tinguished by two deep-black eyes or spots on 

 each side the upper part: from the tail, which is 

 extended into two long, roughened, sharp-pointed, 

 tubular processes, proceed, on the least irritation, 

 two long, red, flexible tentacula, the animal seem- 

 ing to exert them as if for the purpose of terrify- 

 ing, its disturbers; lifting up the fore-part of the 

 body at the same time, in a menacing attitude, 

 and presenting a highly grotesque appearance: it 

 also possesses the power of suddenly ejecting from 

 its mouth, to a considerable distance, an acri- 

 monious reddish fluid, which it uses as a farther 

 defence, and which produces considerable irrita- 

 tion if it happens to be thrown into the eyes of 

 the spectator. This caterpillar is principally seen 

 on Willows and Poplars, and when the time of its 

 change arrives, descends to the lower part of the 

 tree, and envelops itself in a glutinous case, pre- 

 pared by moistening with its saliva the woody 

 fibres of the tree, and covering itself with them, 

 attaching the edges very closely to the bark: this 

 case, having very much the colour of the bark 

 itself, is not very conspicuous, so that the in- 

 sect generally remains secure under its covering 

 throughout the whole winter, it being too close to 



