XXV111 
THE HABITS AND STRUCTURE OF MOTHS. 
be seen in the Clearwings (Sesiidse), which resemble various 
stinging insects; and the Hornet Clearwing (Sesia apiformis) 
in particular, when resting on the trunks of poplars near the 
roots, as is its accustomed habit, looks exactly like a large 
hornet, so much so that even an entomologist who was not 
used to its appearance might be excused for not caring to 
touch it with his fingers. Many of the Looper Caterpillars 
are in the habit of attaching themselves to a twig by their 
claspers and single pair of prolegs; and they sometimes 
remain in that position for many hours, when they perfectly 
resemble a green or brown twig. The peculiar struc¬ 
ture of the caterpillar of the Lobster Moth, with its long 
sprawling legs, has been thought to give it some resem¬ 
blance to a spider; but spiders are peculiarly liable to 
the attacks of wasps and birds, and do not appear to be 
mimicked for protective purposes by any insects, and the 
supposed protective resemblance of the Lobster Caterpillar 
to a spider is probably a mere fancy. Many birds prefer 
certain kinds of caterpillars to others, especially uniformly 
coloured green and brown ones, which are protected by the 
colour of their surroundings or by their own appearance, 
but they avoid hairy caterpillars and brightly coloured 
ones. Brightly coloured caterpillars are often not only 
gregarious, but frequently feed on poisonous plants, and 
their bright colours have been thought to operate as a 
warning to birds to avoid them, as in the Spurge Hawk- 
Moth (Deilephila euphorbias ). Hairy caterpillars are protected 
by the irritant qualities of their hairs, which produce on the 
human skin an irritation like that caused by the stinging 
nettle. The procession ary caterpillars which are common 
in many places on the Continent, but are not British, possess 
this quality in such a degree, that death is said to have 
occurred in a few extreme cases. The larvae of some 
of our British moths, such as the Fox Moth (Bombyx rubi), 
are provided with sharp and brittle hairs which are liable 
to produce great inflammation and inconvenience if by 
any chance they have got into the eye. Other moths, or 
their larvae, have a remarkable resemblance to bird-droppings, 
and are doubtless protected by this circumstance. 
Moths may be caught on the wing by means of one of 
the many patterns of ring-net. One of the best forms of 
net consists of a slender iron ring having a diameter of about 
fifteen to eighteen inches. This is jointed in such a way 
that it can be folded up into small dimensions, and carried 
in the pocket. On one side of the ring is a screw, by which 
it is attached to a walking-stick when required for use. To 
