32 DIRECT INJURIES FROM MOTHS. 



completely destroys the plant, that it never cab- 

 bages.* The Pot-herb Moth {Noctua olevacea of 

 Fabricius) is no less consuming to this and other 

 esculent vegetables. Besides the Fapilio brasska, 

 cabbages are infested with a moth which is equally 

 destructive, called by Fabricius the Noctua brassica, 

 which does not confine its depredations to the leaves, 

 but penetrates to the very core of the plant, thereby 

 causing its total demolition. 



By a wise provision in natui'ej many of these 

 caterpillars are limited to become the destroyers of 

 specific plants ; but there are others whose depreda- 

 tions are universal, laying waste the whole produce 

 of our gardens. The Gamma Moth (Noctua gam- 

 ma') — so named from having a character represented 

 in gold on its primary wings, exactly corresponding 

 with that Greek letter — may be numbered among 

 these. In different countries, at certain seasons of 

 the year, this larva commences its work of devasta- 

 tion, and holds up a strong proof of the power of 

 Providence in working great ends by simple means. 

 This insect, though a common uihabitant of Britain, 

 has seldom been known to commit much mischief 

 with us. In other countries of Europe it is far other- 

 vjrise ; for, in the year 1 735, it propagated to such an 

 alarming degree, that it overspread nearly the whole 

 of France. Every road was filled with them, tra- 



• Reaumur, ii. 471. De Geer, ii. 440. 



