202 
THE GOAT MOTH. 
from us with such reluctance, that, should the autumn 
be fine, we not uncommonly find it in some piece of 
aftergrass, enjoying there the few flowers which linger 
out the approaches of November. 
In the autumn of the year 1827, the larvae of the 
goat moth (phalaena cossus) abounded beyond any cus- 
tomary proportion, and we could commonly see the 
traces made by these creatures in the dust. They had 
apparently fed during the summer in the earth, and 
were now proceeding in search of a retreat during 
winter to some old hedge-row tree, a part to repose, 
and those which approached maturity, to abrade the 
softer wood, and form their cases, preparatory to changing 
to a final perfect state in the spring. At times we ob- 
served them coursing along our paths with great strength 
and activity ; and when not seen, that peculiar subtle 
smell, which proceeds from them, and has been thought 
to resemble that of the goat, was perceptible in all 
our walks. The object and seat of this odor seem not 
well understood. Some have conjectured it to proceed 
from a fluid evacuated from the mouth, and discharged 
to soften the wood in which they burrow. But it seems 
inconsistent with any probability, that this creature, 
which is furnished with such very powerful mandibles, 
should be gifted with an auxiliary aid to accomplish 
its object; while of the many insects that perforate 
timber, most of them with inferior means, no other 
possesses an equivalent agent to facilitate its labors ; 
for not one of them, as far as we know, is so supplied. 
Besides, if such were the purpose, the discharge would 
be made only when required, and thus this unpleasant 
odor not always perceptible. The microscope too does 
not manifest the exudation of any fluid. The larva is 
furnished with eight curious retractile processes on its 
under side, in the manner of what entomologists call 
the “ prolegs.” These are encircled with little hooks, 
made use of probably to remove the fragments of the 
wood, when broken off by the mandibles above, and 
clear the passages. The strength of these jaws is so 
great, that they will very soon destroy any common chip 
box in which the animal may be placed, by abrading 
