238 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



vestigation 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, Hke 

 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 Eeaumur tells 

 us of the members of a convent being thrown into the 

 utmost consternation at the appearance of one, which hap- 

 pened 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 



