THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
207 
it was carefully examined. In texture it is as 
strong as leather, and bears no small resem¬ 
blance on the interior to the hair side of a piece 
of polished morocco. It is perfectly impervious 
to water, and has a soft padding between the 
outer and inner surfaces, after the manner of 
a comfortable or quilt; and altogether it fur¬ 
nishes a remarkable instance of special adapta¬ 
tion which only a divine mind could devise and 
consummate. 
“ The death’s-head moth has very much the 
same history as the last named, which need not 
be repeated. The peculiar differences are in 
form and adornment, from one of which cha¬ 
racteristics it takes its name. Turn the head 
of the insect upward, and a striking resemblance 
to a human face will be readily recognized be¬ 
tween the upper pair of wings. Harmless as 
the creature is, this singular mark, combined 
Avith its peculiar notes, has been sufficient to 
inspire the ignorant with great terror, for they 
regard it as the dread harbinger of contagion 
and death. 
“ The moths constitute a large family in the 
insect kingdom—a fact which can be easily 
proved. All the moth tribes are peculiarly 
