GOAT MOTH. 217 



according to the development of the caterpillar, and, 

 as a great number of larvae generally inhabit one tree, 

 it is no wonder that so many trees are killed by them. 



The number of these destructive creatures that 

 are found in one tree may be imagined from an 

 experiment made by Mr. Douglas. He found an elm 

 lying on the ground, having been blown down in 

 consequence of the galleries of the Goat Moth cater- 

 pillar weakening the trunk so much that it could not 

 endure the wind. He cut off a piece of the trunk two 

 feet long, and twenty-three inches in diameter at one 

 end and fifteen at the other. Wishing to place it in a 

 vessel sixteen inches in diameter, he was obliged to 

 cut it to the required size, and in so doing turned out 

 no less than sixty-seven caterpillars, while the re- 

 mainder of the block was equally well stocked with 

 these larvae. 



The caterpillar is a very curious looking creature, 

 and is well worthy of a somewhat detailed examina- 

 tion. The skin is very smooth and shining, and 

 without hairs, except some stiff bristles which project 

 from each segment. These bristles are not conspicu- 

 ous to the eye, but are at once detected by the touch. 

 The colour is pale mahogany, except the head and a 

 hard plate on the second segment, which are black. The 

 body is rather flattened, the head is wedge-shaped, and 

 furnished with very powerful jaws. When full-grown 

 the caterpillar exceeds three inches in length, and is as 

 thick as a man's finger. The strength of a full-grown 

 larva is enormous, and its powers of forcing its way out 

 of the vessel in which it is confined must be seen to be 

 appreciated. I have kept many of these larvae, and 



