THE GOAT MOTH. 295 



ing about with all the activity and action of the 

 hummingbird sphinx. Like the latter it keeps its 

 wings, while feeding, in a constant state of vibration ; 

 haunts clover fields, and the yellow blossoms of the 

 wild mustard, and the heads of the pasture sca- 

 bious. It seems little mindful of the common frosts 

 of October, retiring from us with such reluctance, 

 that, should the autumn be fine, we not uncom- 

 monly 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 larvae of the 

 goat moth (phalaena 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 percepti- 

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

 odour seem not well understood. Some have con- 

 jectured it to proceed from a fluid evacuated from 



