50 DIRECT INJURIES FROM MOTHS. 



caterpillars are limited to become the destroyers of 

 specific plants ; but there are others whose depreda- 

 tions are universal, laying waste the whole produce of 

 our gardens. The Gamma Moth (Xoctua gamma) 

 so named from having a character represented in gold 

 on its primary wings, exactly corresponding with that 

 Greek letter, may be numbered among these. In 

 different countries, at certain seasons of the year, 

 this larva commences its work of devastation, and 

 holds up a strong proof of the power of Providence 

 in working great ends by simple means. This insect, 

 though a common inhabitant of Britain, has seldom 

 been known to commit much mischief with us. In 

 other countries of Europe it is far otherwise ; for, in 

 the year 1735, it propagated to such an alarming 

 degree, that it overspread nearly the whole of France. 

 Every road was filled with them, travelling from one 

 field to another. In the kitchen gardens their work 

 of devastation was complete, for they left nothing of 

 the whole tribe of culinary vegetables but the stalks 

 and veins of the leaves. The ignorant populace, 

 conceiving that these pests were poisonous, and 

 even affirming that fatal effects had followed the eating 

 of them, felt such a consternation, that even in 

 Paris, for many weeks, not an individual would use 

 pot-herbs in their soups. It was fortunate, however, 

 for France that these despoilers did not extend their 

 ravages to the corn fields, otherwise a famine would 

 have been the consequence. 



It has been satisfactorily proved by M. Reaumur, 

 that so prolific are these insects, that a single pair of 



