DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANIMALS. 201 



thoroughly studied, but the generation is probably simple and 

 annual. 



These beetles often appear in great numbers in June, and 

 attack the foliage of Ash principally, but also Ligustrum, Wood- 

 bine, &c. They devour all the parenchym, leaving the midrib and 

 veins bare, though even consuming these also when they are in 

 want of food. Young Ash-plants in nurseries or plantations are 

 often not inconsiderably damaged in this manner. 



The presence of this beetle in large numbers is not only indicated 

 by the rapid loss of leaves skeletoned in this characteristic 

 manner, but also betrayed by the unpleasant smell emitted by 

 it, especially during the early morning, when it is usually at rest 

 on the leaves, and when it can easily be gathered by shaking the 

 young poles, or by tapping them with padded mallets or axe- 

 heads. 



The beetles collected can be disposed of to apothecaries for the 

 preparation of the well-known Cantharides, or blistering fluid or 

 plaster, so that the costs of extermination are often more than 

 covered. 



II. MOTHS (Lepidoptem). 



A. SPINNERS (Bombycidte). 



99. The Processionary Moth or Oak-spinner, Bombyx (Cnethocampa) 



(Vide Plate III. fig. 18.) 



There is a considerable difference between the sizes of the two 

 sexes of this species, the wings of the female moth having a span 

 of 1-6 inches and those of the male only 1-28 inches. The upper 

 wings are brownish-grey, with two double, darker transverse 

 bands across them, the colours being plainer and more definite in 

 the male; the under pair of wings are yellowish- white, with 

 brownish-green somewhat indistinct transverse bands. 



The caterpillar, which has 16 feet, attains a length of 14 

 inches, and is of a bluish or reddish-grey, with black spots on its 

 back, and reddish-brown knob-like warts covered with a growth 

 of very long, brittle, black and white hairs. 



The ruddy brown somewhat compressed chrysalis lies in a 



