30 
PART III. NATURAL HISTORY. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
Article I. — Some circumstances connected with the NatU' 
ral History of the Goat Moth. By Edward Murphy, 
Esq. Agent to the Horticultural and Arboricultural So- 
cieties of Ireland. 
Gextlemen, 
Ix an excursion \\'liicli I made some time since to tlie far- 
famed Dargle and VYaterfall in the county of Wicklow, my attention 
was arrested by observing the devastation committed by the Cater- 
pillars of the Goat Moth, (^Ccssus Ligniporda,) on some trees in 
the vicinity of the latter place; and although I cannot hope to affoi'd 
much information on a subject to which I have devoted ver)^ little 
attention, yet being desirous to promote by every means within my 
pov/er, the success of an undertaking, which I earnestly hope will 
prove an invaluable boon to the rising generation of gardeners in this 
counh'y, and being aware that the prudent caution, which persons 
really competent, usually observe towards an infant Work, cannot 
fail to embarrass its Conductors, I take the liberty of presenting you 
'\\ith the few following observations, and at the same time hoping 
that a pressure of more valuable matter may enable you to exclude s6 
crude an essay. 
The accompanying outline (3) will enable those who have not seen 
this beautifid insect, to form an idea of its dimensions ; the thorax, or 
anterior part of the body is of a rich brown colour; the abdomen is 
greyish ; the first pair of wings are of a purple and reddish broA\'n, 
clouded with yellowsh grey, and are larger than the luider M'ings, 
M'liich are of a brown colour. It is beautifully figured in the second 
volume of Curtis's British Entomology, (plate 60,) a ^^'ork Avhich 
should be in the hands of every person engaged in the study of Ento- 
mology. A figure of it is also given in Vol. IV of Donovan's British 
Insects. This Moth was ranked amongst the Phalccna of Linneus, 
arid forms one of the tribe of Bambycidcs of modern Entomological 
AVTiters ; it is well kno'^vn as having been the subject of the celebrated 
Lyonnett's researches, whose minute investigations of its economy, and 
splendid Illustrations of the anatomy of the larva, have immortalized 
that naturalist, and are a credit to the pictorial art. 
The Catei'pillars are produced fi-om eggs, deposited by the female 
Moth, in the crevices in the bark of such trees as she knows are fit 
for the support of her offspring ; of these eggs it is said she deposits 
