GREAT GOAT MOTH. 275 



flitters of their own division, but also the " painted populace " 

 which sip honey in open day. 



Now for our select few amongst the numerous night-fliers. 

 But how to choose out of such a phalanx ? That is the ques- 

 tion ; and suppose taking a cursory review of it, with reference 

 to size, colour j and form we note a few individuals among 

 the most distinguished for either attribute. 



For size, we may give priority to the Great Goat Moth, of 

 whose bulky body and dusky wings, of from three to four 

 inches of expansion, we are not unlikely to catch a glimpse 

 by the light of this August moon. This is the great Cossus, 

 of whose proceedings as a carpenter caterpillar we have already 

 given some description. 



" And no great loss either, this dingy insect owl, to the 

 world of grace and beauty!" might some, perhaps, be ready 

 to exclaim, on seeing a specimen of the Great Goat Moth. 

 But differing, with all courtesy, from the taste which can dis- 

 cern no beauty save in varied colours, we must be allowed to 

 express, for ourselves, no little admiration of the sober paint- 

 ing the silvery or ashy grey, clouded with brown and striated 

 with black which, not unlike the plumage of some veritable 

 owls, adorns the plain-cut pinions of this " owlish " moth. 



In accordance with that beautiful harmony prevalent 

 throughout the works of Nature, the general colouring of 

 moths, both of evening and night, is of that subdued tone 

 which, like night-blowing flowers the " Flores tristes colore 

 et odore " seems to correspond best with the hours of their 

 appearance. This usual absence of brilliant tints is, as we 

 have already exemplified, amply atoned for by the soft, richly- 

 blended shading, and exquisitely pencilled variety of pattern, 

 which render the wings of moths perfect bijoux of natural 

 mosaic; but there are not wanting among them scattered 

 specimens painted in another style in bright and glowing 

 colours, laid on in broad effective masses. Of this we have a 

 ready example in one of the commonest, yet withal hand- 



