202 THE GOAT MOTH. 



from us with such reluctance, that, should the autumn 

 be fine, we not uncommonly find it in some piece of 

 aftergrass, enjoying there the few flowers which linger 

 out the approaches of November. 



In the autumn of the year 1827, the larva? of the 

 goat moth (phalaena cossus) abounded beyond any cus- 

 tomary 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 retreat during 

 winter to some old hedge-row tree, a part to repose, 

 and those which approached maturity, to abrade the 

 softer wood, and form their cases, preparatory to changing 

 to a final perfect state in the spring. At times we ob- 

 served them coursing along our paths with great strength 

 and activity ; and when not seen, that peculiar subtle 

 smell, which proceeds from them, and has been thought 

 to resemble that of the goat, was perceptible in all 

 our walks. The object and seat of this odor seem not 

 well understood. Some have conjectured it to proceed 

 from a fluid evacuated from the mouth, and discharged 

 to soften the wood in which they burrow. But it seems 

 inconsistent with any probability, that this creature, 

 which is furnished with such very powerful mandibles, 

 should be gifted with an auxiliary aid to accomplish 

 its object; while of the many insects that perforate 

 timber, most of them with inferior means, no other 

 possesses an equivalent agent to facilitate its labors ; 

 for not one of them, as far as we know, is so supplied. 

 Besides, if such were the purpose, the discharge would 

 be made only when required, and thus this unpleasant 

 odor not always perceptible. The microscope too does 

 not manifest the exudation of any fluid. The larva is 

 furnished with eight curious retractile processes on its 

 under side, in the manner of what entomologists call 

 the " prolegs." These are encircled with little hooks, 

 made use of probably to remove the fragments of the 

 wood, when broken off by the mandibles above, and 

 clear the passages. The strength of these jaws is so 

 great, that they will very soon destroy any common chip 

 box in which the animal may be placed, by abrading 



