234 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



wings measure between three and four inches ; the colour 

 of the upper pair is ashy-white, clouded with brown, and 

 marked with numerous black streaks, waved, and frequently 

 crossing each other; the hinder wings are brown, with faint 

 streaks near the hinder margin. The caterpillar is very 

 large, of a lurid red, tinged with pale yellow, and having 

 a patch of chestnut-colour on each segment ; it does not 

 consume the foliage of trees, but derives its nourishment 

 from the wood, making its way through the stem, thus 

 doing much injury to the trees. It lives three years in the 

 larva state, and then scoops a hollow in the wood, which it 

 lines with a warm fabric composed of the raspings of wood 

 and layers of silk. Within this nest the chrysalis remains 

 till the moth is matured, when the apparently difficult task 

 awaits it, of coming to the surface, as it is impossible for 

 the moth to emerge and develop its wings in the confined 

 cell ; this is accomplished by means of a series of small spines 

 projecting from the hinder segments, which, when one side is 

 moved forwards, prevents its sliding back, and the other is 

 brought up in the same manner. The caterpillar diffuses a 

 very peculiar odour, which is said to resemble that of the 

 goat ; it is much more common than the perfect insect. 

 In spite of this powerful scent, strong enough to betray 



