THE MAGPIE MOTH. 319 



black spots are extended so as to cover nearly the 

 whole surface. From the prevalence of black and 

 white in its plumage, the insect has received the 

 English name of the Magpie Moth; its scientific 

 name, Abraxas Grossulariata, refers to its predilec- 

 tion for gooseberry bushes. 



Plentiful as it is during the time of its appearance, 

 in the course of a week or two this beautiful moth is 

 no longer to be seen ; and it is not until the following 

 spring that we shall perceive the effects of its short 

 sojourn amongst us. Then, when our currant and 

 gooseberry bushes begin to push out their tender 

 leaves, whose delicate green is so pleasing to the eye, 

 from its being almost the first symptom of the revival 

 of vegetation after the dreary stagnation of winter, 

 the young larvae, proceeding from the eggs of our 

 summer friend, which, although hatched in the au- 

 tumn, have remained without food ever since, come 

 forth from their concealment, resolved to make them- 

 selves amends for their long compulsory fast, and so 

 vigorously do they ply their mandibles, that when they 

 occur in unusual abundance, the unfortunate bushes 

 are soon stripped of their foliage, and present a most 

 forlorn appearance. 



The caterpillars, whose voracity produces all this 

 mischief, are, when full grown, about an inch and a 

 quarter in length, of a white colour, with a yellow line 

 and about two rows of black dots on each side, and a 

 double series of black spots on the back. Their struc- 

 ture is somewhat singular, for instead of the four 

 pairs of abdominal prolegs which we have found in 

 most of the caterpillars of the preceding groups, they 

 possess only a single pair placed very far back on 

 the abdomen (on the sixth segment), and represent- 



