^34 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 tlie 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 con- 

 sume 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 develope 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 



