vanish, as it were, before these little agents of supreme power, and room is consequently left for Nature to manifest herself once more in varied but generous profusion. This class in England is comparatively small -about eighty species. They are found in old woods, and in the stumps of trees. The Prionus coriarius is the largest we possess, and, unlike its congeners, its flight is during the evening. Its larva inhabits the oak. Zeuzera Esculi, (The Leopard-Moth.) A very beautiful and interesting species, nearly allied to the Goat-Moth, but of far less frequent occurrence. In the larva state it inhabits the Elm and Pear trees, and the perfect insect makes its appearance about the beginning of July. It is of a snowy white, spotted with round, greenish, or bluish spots; which, together with its large size, soft, downy body, and somewhat hyaline anterior wings, give it a very delicate appearance. It has twice occurred near Nottingham. |