VICTIMS OF LOVE. 119 



In the first place, the chief nerve mass is cut 

 asunder, and even thus a large portion of the life is 

 destroyed. But the chief breathing tubes are also 

 severed, and a drop of poison deposited at their 

 severed portions. Consequently, at the next inspira- 

 tion, either the poison itself or its subtle atmosphere 

 rushes to every part, and to every joint of the insect, 

 thus carrying death through its whole substance. 



The male insect is very different in appearance to 

 the female, and in general is hardly more than two- 

 thirds of her size. The colours, too, are very diffe- 

 rent ; for in the male insect the wings are partially 

 of a dark chestnut brown, with a light ba,nd running 

 round them, as may be seen in the engraving ; while 

 in the female the wings are almost entirely of a 

 uniform yellowish brown. 



The antennae, too, of the male are deeply cleft, 

 like the teeth of a comb ; while those of the female 

 are narrow, and comparatively slightly toothed. 



As is the case with several other moths, the male 

 oak eggers are sad victims to the tender passion, 

 and fall in love not only at first sight, but long 

 before they see the object of their affection at all. 



If a female egger is caught immediately after her 

 entrance into the regions of air, and placed in a 

 perforated box near an open window, her unseen 

 charms will be so powerfully felt by gentlemen of 

 her own race that they will flock to the casket that 

 contains their desired treasure, and fearlessly run 



