132 BUFF-TIP MOTH. 



not its position marked by the antennae. This is 

 the Buff-tip Moth, so called on account of the upper 

 wing-tips being marked with buff-coloured scales. 



The caterpillar, which is represented immediately 

 above, and marked 4 a, is a very singular creature, 

 its habits being indicated by the marks on its skin. 

 As soon as the young caterpillars are hatched, they 

 arrange themselves in, regular order, much after the 

 fashion of the dark stripes, and so march over leaf 

 and branch, devastating their course with the same 

 ease and regularity as an invading army in an 

 enemy's land. 



When they increase to a tolerably large size, they 

 disband their forces, and each individual proceeds on 

 its own course of destruction. Were it not for the 

 colours which they assume, these creatures would do 

 great damage ; but the ground being yellow and the 

 stripes black, the caterpillars are so conspicuous that 

 sharp-sighted birds soon find them out, and having 

 discovered a colony, hold revelry thereon, and ex- 

 terminate the band. 



Comparatively few escape their foes and attain 

 maturity. When they have reached their full age, 

 they let themselves drop from the branches, and 

 when they come to soft ground, bury themselves 

 therein to await their last change. Individuals may 

 often be seen crossing gravel paths, which they are 

 unable to penetrate, and getting over the ground 

 With such speed and in so evident a hurry that they 



