238 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



of the wings ; but more recent investigation has led to the 

 belief that the sound proceeds from the interior of the head, 

 where there appears to be an organ fit for the purpose. 

 The caterpillar, when alarmed, has likewise the power of 

 making a rather loud noise, like that caused by an electric 

 spark. These circumstances have produced a dislike and 

 apprehension of this innocent and beautiful insect, which it 

 will now be superfluous to assure my readers are perfectly 

 groundless ; though Reaumur tells us of the members of a 

 convent being thrown into the utmost consternation at the 

 appearance of one, which happened to fly in during the 

 evening at one of the dormitory windows. 



Bees have a just cause for fear when they see one of these 

 Moths enter their dwelling, as they have a great predilection 

 for honey, and will disperse the inhabitants of the hive to 

 obtain it, notwithstanding their numbers and their stings. 

 Huber, who first noticed this circumstance, seems to be of 

 opinion that the Bees are paralysed by fear, either from the 

 great size of the intruder, from the sound it emits, or some 

 other influence ; he also states that he saw the Bees in one 

 hive, as if expecting their enemy, barricade themselves by 

 means of a wall of wax, which completely obstructed the 

 entrance, but was penetrated by passages for one or two 



