SCALE-WINGED INSECTS. 373 



of Muscovy tale : each of these transparent spots is followed by a 

 blajk border ; and across all the wings run lighter and darker bars, 

 exhibiting a very fine assortment of varying shades. The lower 

 wings are edged with a border of black spots on a pale buff-colorod 

 ground. The antennae have a most elegant appearance. This 

 kingly moth is a native of both the Indies, occasionally differing, 

 however, in size and color. 



There is a very beautiful specimen of moth belonging to the 

 assortment geometrx. Towards the middle of summer it is often 

 seen upon the elder. It is called pTialaena sambucaria. It is of a 

 pale sulphur color ; the wings are angular, and marked by narrow, 

 transverse lines. It proceeds from a green caterpillar, and walks 

 in a very peculiar manner, by raising up the body at each pro- 

 gressive movement into the form of an arch, or loop, the two ex- 

 tremities nearly meeting each other. In June or July it comes 

 out a beautiful moth from a black chrysalis. 



The Death's-head Moth is the largest of the British Le- 

 pidoptera, as it not unAequently measures nearly six inches across 

 the wings. Its rather ominous name is derived from the singular 

 marking in the thorax, ^hich does not require much imagination 

 to represent a skull and i-ross-bones. 



Some naturalists have asserted that this moth makes its 

 way into bee-hives, and robs the inhabitants of their honey, dis- 

 arming their resentment by a curious squeaking noise which it his 

 the power of producing. 



The uneducated rustics have a great horror of this insect, 

 and consider its appearance as a most disastrous omen. In a small 

 villao-e removed from the influence of railways, on one Sunday 

 morning, as the inhabitants were going through the churchyard, a 

 Death's-head Moth appeared on the patt. Every one recoiled in 

 dismay, and no one dared approach the dreaded object. Sundry 

 heads were shaken at the evil omen, and various prophetic remarks 

 made. At last, the blacksmith summoned up courage, and with a 

 great jump, came down on the unfortunate moth, and happily d& 

 stroyed it. The people were in blissful ignorance that as there 

 were several fields near planted with potatoes, on which vegetable 



