Xll CONTENTS. 



erroneous opinon, that it stores up food, originated. Beauti- 

 ful description by Wordsworth. But once mentioned by 

 Shakspeare. Its connection with the aphides. The 

 honey-dew. Former opinions and present knowledge 

 respecting its origin .... page 113 



LETTER IX. 



LEPIDOPTERA. 



Beauty and variety of the insects belonging to this order 

 Their "mealy wings." Universal diffusion. Found at all 

 seasons. Ideas of the ancients respecting the butterfly. 

 Notice of the insect by several British poets. Its pur- 

 suit by boys. Tlie brimstone butterfly. Vision in the 

 silver-streak butterfly. Some species extremely local. 

 Enumeration of those found in the neighbourhood of 

 Belfast. Some " gilded butterflies" widely diffused. — 

 Sphinxes found in this \icinity. The word " moth," how 

 used by Shakspeare. Size of some species. Enumeration 

 of the most conspicuous. The puss-moth ; injury it occa- 

 sioned. Grass-moths taken by a bird. Night-flying in- 

 sects attracted by a light. Leaf-mining caterpillars. The 

 gratification derivable from trifling objects, a high re- 

 commendation to the study of Entomology. Sensation in 

 the Lepidoptera not analogous to that sense in man. Num- 

 ber of eggs deposited by the ghost-moth . . 147 



LETTER X. 



DIPTERA AND APHANIPTERA. 



Distinguishing characteristics of the Diptera. Flesh-flies ; 

 their larvae or maggots. Utility of these flies. Their 



