Phryganidia Californica

Phryganidia californica

The moth, which is obscurely colored, is one of the least attractive insects belonging to the family which it represents. Many of the species are very bright and gay in color, as any student of the fauna of South America knows. The home of the species, as the name implies, is California, to the southern portion of which it is confined.

"Happy insect, what can be

In happiness compared to thee?

Fed with nourishment divine,

The dewey morning's gentle wine !

Nature waits upon thee still,

And thy verdant cup does fill;

'Tis filled wherever thou dost tread

Nature's self thy Ganymede.

"Thou dost drink and dance and sing,

Happier than the happiest king !

All the fields which thou dost sec,

All the plants belong to thee,

All the summer hours produce,

Fertile made with early juice,

Man for thee does sow and plough,

Farmer he, and landlord thou."

From the Greek of Anacreon.