. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. C24 THE DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH. IKF. TnK splomlul insect appropriately named the Dkath's-iiead Moth, is tolerably commn. in our island, thou-h, its natural luibits, the instinct of concealment with wEl 110 caterpillar is endo\v(>d, it is not so frequently seen as many rarer insects / the remarkably taithful d(>lineatioii of a siaiU and bones upon the back of the thonv fl insect IS often an objoct of great trt tiie illiterate,
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. C24 THE DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH. IKF. TnK splomlul insect appropriately named the Dkath's-iiead Moth, is tolerably commn. in our island, thou-h, its natural luibits, the instinct of concealment with wEl 110 caterpillar is endo\v(>d, it is not so frequently seen as many rarer insects / the remarkably taithful d(>lineatioii of a siaiU and bones upon the back of the thonv fl insect IS often an objoct of great trt tiie illiterate, and has more than once throw, wliole province into consternation, the popular idea being that it was some inira-intnn being tliat was sent upon the earth as a inessengiu- of pestilence and woe, if not iJZ the shape assumed by some witch residing in the neighbourliood. _ I once saw a whole congregation checked wliile coming out of church, and assemM.,l in a wide and terrihed circle around a poor Death's-head Moth that was nuietlv nnk- n its way across the cluirchyard-walk. No one dared to approach the terrible 'u, ii at last the village blacksmith took heart of grace, and with a long jump, leaped uiwn moth and crushed it beneath his hobnailed feet. I keep the iiattened insect in 1 cabinet, as an example of popular ignorance, and the destructive nature with which 'â J, Ignorance is always accompanied. _ Although in itself a perfectly harmless creature, it yet has one unpleasant habit and i\ said to make its way into beehives for the purpose of feeding on the honey Still i numbers are so inconsiderable, that it could do but little harm in an apiary, and need'nnt be dreaded by the owner. ^ â¢""' The caterpillar of this moth is enormously largo, sometimes measuring five inches in length, and being very stoutly made. It feeds on various plants, the jessamine mi,' potato being its lavourites, and may bo best four \ by traversing potato-grounds iu 'tli,' night, and
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
