i6 5 
THE TUSSOCK MOTH 
We seldom admire the beauty of a creeping insect. 
The rich markings and glowing colours of Moths and 
Butterflies may be appreciated while they sail dizzily 
through the air or perch a moment among nectar- 
laden flowers. But the creeping, crawling, leaf-eating 
thing, with feet that hook, and clasp, with bristly 
projections and abnormal rings and joints, is generally 
looked upon with aversion. A few weeks ago the 
Tussock Moths were crawling about with the 
timidity of a persecuted race. Their picturesque 
forms and gay contrasts of colour won no popular 
admiration. Their rich markings in red, black, 
yellow, and grey were chaste and delicate, even if they 
did present an unfinished appearance. There is no 
right way to stroke the Tussock Moth Caterpillar. 
His long horns and tail suggest the most repellent 
personage imaginable. The four diminutive paint- 
brushes rising from his back, and moving with every 
undulation of his lively, crawling body, seem an 
unnecessary decoration, and while they may help to 
win admiration they do not encourage familiarity. 
There are handsome but repellent bushy tufts 
of yellow hair along his sides, and these seem to 
