THE GOAT MOTH. 203 
the edges, to effect its escape. With us they chiefly 
inhabit the ash ; and we very commonly see at the roots 
of our aged trees the fragments removed by them in 
forming their passages. In breaking up the decayed 
pollards, we not unusually find the grub in all the stages 
of its growth ; but more generally observe them with- 
out inhabitants, yet perforated with paths large enough 
to admit the finger. I suspect that these “ augerworms” 
are the primary cause of the decay of the tree ; having 
often observed their perforations, and found them, both 
large and small, in the solid spur or root of the tree, 
when the upper portion, having been bored and in a 
state of decline, is abandoned by them. Those that are 
full fed appear to form their cases in that part which 
has lost coherency, while the younger and imperfected 
creatures mine their way, and obtain nutriment in the 
solid timber, thus killing the tree by inches ; when rain 
and moisture find lodgment, and complete the dissolu- 
tion. One year’s preparation is the period usually as- 
signed to the larvae of most insects, before they arrive 
at their perfect state ; but by the goat moth three years 
are required before it attains its winged state from the 
egg. Consequently, for the larger portion of its life it 
is occupied in these destructive operations; and thus 
this creature becomes a very powerful agent in reducing 
these Titans of the vegetable world, crumbling them 
away to their original dust : for what was decreed to be 
the termination and punishment of man is found in 
active operation throughout the whole chain of nature’s 
works, which are but dust, and unto dust return, con- 
tinuing an endless series of production and decay, of 
restoration and of change. All these larvae which I have 
observed in the colder portions of our year, were hard, 
stiff, and torpid, but soon became relaxed and animated 
by the warmth of the hand : thus they probably remain 
quiet during the winter months, but revive in spring, 
and recommence their ravage in the tree. The cater- 
pillar of this moth I believe to be the largest of any 
of those of the British lepidopterae ; and when full fed 
exceeds in size that of the death’s-head sphinx. To 
those who dislike the appearance of things of this nature, 
