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LOCKED 
CASE 


CONTENTS. 


?AGH 

;MOIR  OF  MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN        ...          17 
PIDOPTERA — INTRODUCTION  .        .  47 

rlESPERID.fi 108 

Grizzled  Skipper. 

Thymele  Alveolus.     Plate  I.  Fig.  1.         .         .         110 

The  Dingy  Skipper. 

Thymde  Tages.     Plate  I.  Fig.  2.     .         .         .         112 

Chequered  Skipper. 

Pamphila  Paniscus.     Plate  I.  Fig.  3.      .         .         114 

Small  Skipper, 

Pamphila  Linea.     Plate  I.  Fig.  4.  .         .         116 

Large  Skipper. 

Pamphila  Sylvanus.     Plate  II.  Fig.  1.     .         .         117 

Pearl  Skipper. 

Pamphila  Comma.     Plate  II.  Fig.  2.       .         .         119 

Pamphila  Actseon 121* 

JEPIDOPTERA  CREPUSCULARIA      .        .        .        .        121 

The  Green  Forester. 

Ino  Statices.     Plate  II.  Fig.  3.        ...         123 

Six-spotted  Burnet-moth. 

Anthrocera  Filipendulce.     Plate  II.  Fig.  4.       .         124 

Five-spotted  Burnet-moth. 

Anthrocera  Loti.     Plate  II.  Fig.  5.          .         .         126 


CONTENTS. 

Eyed  Hawk-moth.  PAGE 

Smerinthus  Ocettatus.     Plat    III.  Fig.  1.  .         .         127 

Poplar  Hawk-moth. 

Smerinthus  Populi.     Plate  III.  Fig.  2.  .         .         129 

Lime  Hawk-moth. 
Smennthus  TUice.     Plate  IV.  Fig.  1.  .         .         131 

Death's-head  Hawk-moth. 

Acherontia  Atropos.     Plate  V 133 

Genus  SPHINX 139 

Privet  Hawk-moth. 

Sphinx  Ligustri.     Plate  IV.  Fig.  2.     .         .         .         140 

Unicorn  Hawk-moth. 
Sphinx  Convdvuli.     Plate  VI 142 

Pine  Hawk-moth. 

Sphinx  Pinastri.     Plate  VII.  Fig.  1.  .         .         144 

Genus  DEILEPHILA 146 

The  Madder  Hawk-moth. 

Deilephila  Galii.     Plate  VII.  Fig.  2.  .         .         147 

Spotted  Elephant  Hawk-moth. 

Deilephila  Euphorbia.     Plate  VIII.     .         .         .         149 

Rayed  Hawk- moth. 

Deilephila  Lineata       .         .         .         .         .         »         152 

Genus  METOPSILUS 154 

Oleander  Hawk-moth. 

Metopsilus  Nerii.     Plate  IX.      .         .         .         .         156 

Sharp-winged  Hawk-moth. 

Metopsilus  Celerio.     Plate  X 159 

Elephant  Hawk-moth. 

Metopsilus  Elpenor.     Plate  Xt  Fig.  I.       .         .         161 

Small  Elephant  Hawk-moth. 

Metopsilus  Porcellus.     Plate  XI.  Fig.  2.      .         .         163 

Humming-bird  Hawk-moth. 

Macroglossa  Stellatarum.     Plate  XII.  Fig.  1.      .         164 

Broad-bordered  Bee  Hawk-moth. 

Sesia  Fuciformis.     Plate  XII.  Fi     3.          .         .         168 
Narrow-bordered  Bee  Hawk-moth 

Sesia  Bombyliformis.     Plate  XI?    /'ig  4.     .         .         170 


CONTENTS. 

Bee  Clear-wing.  PAGE 

Trocliilium  Apiforme.     Plate  XIII.  Fig.  1.  .          171 

Breeze  Clear-underwing. 

JEgeria  Asiliformis.     Plate  XIII.  Fig.  2.    .         .          174 

Black  and  White  Horned  Clear-wing. 

jEgeria  Spheciformis.     Plate  XIII.  Fig.  3.  .         175 

Ruby-fly  Clear-wing 

JEyeria  Chrysidiformis.     Plnte  XIII.  Fig.  4.        *         111 

LEPJDOPTERA  NOCTURNA,  or  MOTHS         .  178 

Orange  Swift. 

Plypialus  Sylvinus.     Plate  XIV.  Fig.  1.      .         .          179 

Goat-moth. 

Cossus  Ligniptrda.     Plate  XIV.  Fig.  2.      .         .         1 82 

Wood  Leopard-moth. 

Zeuzera  jEsculi.     Plate  XV.  Fig.  1.  .         .         1U; 

Buff-tip  Moth. 

Pygcera  Bucepliala.     Plate  XV.  Fig.  3.       .         .          18? 

Puss-moth. 

Cerura  Vinula.     Plate  XVI.  Fig.  1.  .         .          189 

The  Kentish  Glory. 

Endromis  versicolor.     Plate  XVI.  Fig.  3.    .         .          193 

Emperor-moth. 

Saturnia  Pavonia-minor.     Plate  XVII.  Fig.  1.    .          195 

Oak  Egger-moth. 

Lasiocampa  Quercus.     Plate  XVII.  Fig.  3.  .          198 

Drinker-moth. 

Odonestis  Potatoria.    Plate  XVIII.  Figs.  1  and  2.         201 

Lappet-moth. 

Gastropacka  Querdfolia.     Plate  XVIII.  Fig.  3.  .         203 

Black  Arches. 

Psilura  MonacJia.     Plate  XIX.  Figs.  1  and  2.    .         205 

Scarlet  Tiger-moth. 

Hypercampa  Dominula.  Plate  XIX.  Figs.  3  and  4.        208 

The  Clouded  Buff. 

EutJiemonia  Russula.     Plate  XX.   Fig.  I.    .         ,         210 

Cream-spot  Tiger-moth. 

Arctia  Villica.     Plate  XX.  Fig.  2.     .         .         .         212 


CONTENTS. 

Ruby  Tiger-moth.  PAGB 

Phragmatobia  fuliginosa.     Plate  XX.  Fig.  3.  214 

Wood  Tiger-moth. 

Nemeophila  Plantaginis.     Plate  XXI.  Fig.  1.      .         216 

The  Cinnabar  Moth. 

CaUimorpha  Jacobs.     Plate  XXI.  Fig.  2.         .         218 

Crimson  Speckled  Footman. 

Deiopeia  pukhella.     Plate  XXI.  Fig.  4.      .         .         220 

Broad-Bordered  Yellow  Underwing. 

Triphcena  Fimbria.     Plate  XXII.  Fig.  1.    .         .         222 

Large  Sword-grass  Moth. 

Calocampa  Exoleta.     Plate  XXII.  Fig.  2.  .         .         224 

The  April  Miselia. 

Miselia  AprUina.     Plate  XXIII.  Fig.  1.    .         .         226 

Peach-blossom  Moth. 

Thyatira  Batis.     Plate  XXIII.  Fig.  2.        .         .         228 

Buff  Arches. 

Thyatira  Derosa.     Plate  XXIII.  Fig.  3.     .         .         230 

The  Herald-moth. 

Scoliopteryx  Libatrix.     Plate  XXIV.  Fig.  1.        .         231 

Mottled  Orange-moth. 

Gortynaflavago.     Plate  XXIV.  Fig.  2.       .         .         233 

The  Angle  Shades. 

PhlogopJiora  Meticulosa.     Plate  XXIV.  Fig.  3.   •.         235 

Pease-blossom  Moth. 

Chariclea  DelpUnii.     Plate  XXV.  Fig.  1.  .         .         236 

The  Gamma-moth. 

Plusia  Gamma.     Plate  XXV.  Fig.  2.         .         .         238 

Burnished-brass  Moth. 

Plusia  Chrysitis.     Plate  XXV.  Fig.  4.         .        .         240 

The  Clifden  Nonpareil. 

Catocala  Fraxini.     Plate  XXVI.  Fig.  1.     .         .         242 

Red  Underwing. 

Catocala  Nupta.     Plate  XXVI.  Fig.  2.       .         .         245 

The  Brimstone-moth. 

Rumia  Cratagata.     Plate  XX VII.  Fig.  1.  .         248 

Swallow-tail  Moth. 

Ourapteryx  Sambucaria.     Plate  XXVII,  Fig.  2.  249 


CONTENTS. 

Large  Emerald-moth.  PAGB 

Hipparchus  Papilionarius.    Plate  XXVII.  Fig.  3.         251 

Magpie  or  Gooseberry-moth. 

Abraxas  Grossulariata.     Plate  XXVIII.  Fig.  1.  253 

The  Mottled  Beauty 

Melanippe  Hastata.     Plate  XXVIII.  Fig.  3.       .         255 

Clifden  Beauty. 

Zerene  AUMlata.     Plate  XXVIII.  Fig.  4.          .         256 

The  Beautiful  China  Mark. 

Hydrocampa  Nymphxata.     Plate  XXIX.  Fig.  1.         258 

Green  Silver-lines. 
Hylophila  Prasinana.     Plate  XXIX.  Fig.  2.       .         260 

Scarce  Silver-lines. 

HylopMa  Quercana.     Plate  XXIX.  Fig.  4.         .         262 
The  Dark  Porcelain. 

Argyromiges  Sylvetta.     Plate  XXX.  Fig.  1.         .         263 

Linnaeus'  Glyphipteryx. 

GlypUpteryx  Linneetta.     Plate  XXX.  Fig.  2.       .         265 

White-plumed  Moth. 

Pterophorus  Pentadactylus.     Plate  XXX.  Fig.  3.          266 

Many-plumed  Moth. 
Alucita  Hexadactyla.     Plate  X  XX.  Fig.  4.         .        267 


MEMOIR 


OP 


MARIA  SIBILLA   MEEIAN. 


IN  the  earlier  annals  of  the  physical  sciences,  we  find 
very  few  female  names  included  in  the  lists  of  those 
who  successfully  devoted  themselves  to  such  pursuits. 
The  mode  in  which  they  were  usually  studied,  the 
learned  languages  in  which  it  was  thought  necessary 
that  every  thing  relating  to  them  should  be  written, 
together  with  an  unnecessary  profusion  of  techni- 
calities, and  a  most  barbarous  nomenclature,  were 
ill  fitted  to  recommend  them  to  notice  in  any  case, 
and  must  have  made  them  unattainable,  if  not  al- 
together repulsive,  to  most  of  the  gentler  sex.  The  - 
branches  relative  to  natural  history,  in  particular, 
laboured  greatly  under  these  disadvantages ;  and  a 
prejudice  likewise  existed  against  the  study  of  some 
departments,  which  long  continued  to  operate  un- 
favourably. To  this  general  neglect  of  these  pur- 
suits by  her  sex,  at  the  period  in  question,  the  lady 
to  whom  the  following  notices  refer,  forms  a  signaV 
exception.  Not  that  she  can  lay  claim  to  high  dis- 


18  MEMOIR  OP 

tinction  as  a  scientific  naturalist,  nor  can  it  be 
affirmed  that  either  her  powers  of  observation  or 
the  capacity  of  her  judgment  were  of  the  first  order. 
But  the  extraordinary  zeal  she  shewed  in  the  study 
of  that  branch  to  which  her  attention  was  directed, 
the  sacrifices  and  inconveniences  to  which  she  sub- 
mitted in  prosecuting  it,  the  excellent  delineation 
which  she  has  made  of  many  natural  objects,  and 
the  mass  of  materials  which  she  has  thus  provided 
to  facilitate  the  labours  of  future  inquirers,  justly 
entitle  her  to  an  honourable  place  in  a  biographical 
series  of  those  worthies  who  have  exerted  them- 
selves to  promote  the  study  of  nature,  with  which 
it  has  been  our  anxious  endeavour  to  enrich  the 
volumes  of  the  NATURALIST'S  LIBRARY. 

Unfortunately  not  many  particulars  of  her  life 
have  been  preserved,  but  the  following  notices  may 
not  be  void  of  interest  to  those  who  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  examining  the  works  by  which  her  name 
has  become  known  to  the  public.  She  belonged  to  a 
family  of  which  many  of  the  members  acquired  con- 
liderable  celebrity  as  painters  and  engravers.  Her 
father,  Mathew  Merian,  was  the  son  of  a  magistrate 
of  Bale,  and  was  born  in  that  town  in  1593.  After 
learning  the  art  of  engraving  at  Zurich,  under 
Dietrick  Meyer,  he  removed  to  Nanci,  where  he 
was  employed  in  aquafortis  engraving,  a  branch  of  the 
art  then  only  newly  invented,  and  in  which  he  par- 
ticularly excelled.  He  subsequently  went  to  Paris, 
and  having  entered  into  partnership  with  an  artist 
of  some  note,  named  Jacques  Callot,  continued  to 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MER1AN.  19 

reside  there  for  several  years,  exercising  his  profes- 
sion with  diligence  and  success.  He  was  not  long, 
however,  in  returning  to  his  native  country,  and  after 
travelling  through  various  parts  of  the  continent, 
finally  settled  at  Frankfort,  where  he  remained  till 
his  death,  which  happened  in  1651.  During  his 
residence  in  that  place  he  published  various  topo- 
graphical and  other  works,  illustrated  with  engrav- 
ings, which  are  said  to  he  executed  in  a  style  greatly 
superior  to  similar  productions  of  that  period.  Of 
these  we  may  mention,  the  Topography  of  Zeiler, 
in  twenty-seven  folio  volumes ;  Theatrum  Europe- 
urn;  Florilegium  Plantarum;  Itinerarium  Italiae; 
and  the  Dance  of  Death,  copied  from  the  famous 
work  so  named  at  Bale,  and  augmented  hy  the 
addition  of  several  new  designs.  Shortly  after  his 
settlement  at  Frankfort  he  had  married «the  daughter 
of  John  Theodore  tie  Bry,  the  mother  of  the  subject 
of  the  present  notice. 

Maria  Sibilla  Merian  was  horn  in  the  city  just 
named  in  the  year  1647.  Inheriting,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  the  talent  for  which  her  family  was  distin- 
guished, she  appears  to  have  early  devoted  herself 
to  painting  and  drawing,  and  soon  to  have  attain- 
ed considerable  skill  in  these  branches.  It  is 
probable  that  she  enjoyed  the  instructions  of  her 
brother,  Matthew  Merian,  an  individual  to  whom  we 
shall  afterwards  allude,  who  was  so  much  older 
than  herself  as  to  have  acquired  high  distinction  as 
a  painter  while  she  was  yet  a  child.  It  is  affirmed, 
however,  that  the  chief  care  of  her  education  de- 


20  MEMOIR  OF 

volved  on  James  Morell,  likewise  a  painter  by  pro- 
fession, to  whom  her  mother  had  heen  married 
some  time  after  the  death  of  her  first  hushand. 
This  duty  he  is  said  to  have  discharged  with  much 
solicitude  and  affection,  and  was  rewarded  by  the 
rapid  progress  of  his  young  relative.  That  the  best 
means  of  instruction  might  be  afforded  to  one  who 
held  out  the  promise  of  much  future  excellence,  he 
placed  her  under  the  charge  of  Abraham  Mignon, 
with  whom  she  continued  for  a  considerable  time. 
She  appears  first  to  have  practised  miniature  paint- 
ing ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  to  have  devoted  much 
of  her  attention  to  drawing  plants  and  insects.  To 
the  latter  she  soon  began  to  shew  a  decided  par- 
tiality, and  received  much  commendation  for  the 
accuracy  and  elegance  with  which  she  coloured  and 
delineated  them.  By  tracing  the  forms  of  insects, 
and  collecting  them  for  representation,  she  was 
naturally  led  to  attend  to  their  habits  and  history  ; 
a  subject  wrhich  she  found  so  fruitful  in  interesting 
facts,  that  she  began,  at  an  early  period,  to  collect 
materials  for  a  work  on  the  subject. 

In  the  mean  while,  however,  she  continued  to 
exercise  the  more  profitable  occupation  of  portrait 
painting,  chiefly  or  exclusively  in  miniature,  till  she 
reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  she  was  married  to 
a  painter  of  Nuremberg,  named  John  Andrew  Graf. 
This  marriage  did  not  prove  a  fortunate  one.  A 
few  years  after  it  took  place,  Graf's  affairs  became 
so  much  involved,  and  his  conduct  in  other  respects 
so  censurable,  that  he  was  obliged  for  a  time  to 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  21 

leave  the  country.  In  consequence  of  this  separa- 
tion, the  lady  never  assumed  her  hushand's  name  in 
any  of  her  publications,  hut  hecame  known  to  the 
public  hy  her  maiden  appellation.  After  this  event, 
experiencing  perhaps  the  expediency  of  having  some 
means  of  emolument  in  addition  to  her  more  habi- 
tual occupation,  she  is  said  to  have  employed  a 
portion  of  her  time  in  executing  pieces  of  em- 
broidery; and  it  is  asserted  that  she  handled  her 
needle  with  as  much  skill  as  she  did  her  pencil,  her 
productions  being  distinguished  by  an  elegance  and 
delicacy  of  execution  which  made  them  resemble 
paintings.  In  order  to  encourage  others  of  her  sex 
to  cultivate  this  elegant  accomplishment,  she  pub- 
lished a  book  of  designs,  which  she  named  "  The 
New  Book  of  Flowers." 

The  resolution  which  she  had  formed  to  illustrate 
by  her  pencil  the  appearance  and  metamorphoses 
of  insects,  was,  however,  by  no  means  forgotten. 
On  the  contrary,  so  zealous  was  she  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  this  object,  that,  according  to  her  own  account, 
she  abandoned  for  a  time  all  kind  of  company,  and 
applied  herself  exclusively  to  painting  insects,  in 
order  that  she  might,  if  possible,  be  enabled  to 
represent  them  with  sufficient  accuracy  to  give 
satisfaction  to  natural  philosophers.*  The  result  of 
her  labours  in  this  department  appeared  in  1679. 
in  a  volume  published  at  Nuremberg,  entitled  "  Eru- 
carum  ortus,  alimenta,  et  paradoxa  metamorphosis." 
the  plates  engraved  by  herself.  Two  omer  parts 
*  Pref.  to  Insects  of  Surinam. 


22  MEMOIR  OF 

were  subsequently  added,  the  last  printed  under  the 
care  of  her  youngest  daughter.  This  work  has  heen 
translated  both  into  German  and  French,  and  there 
seems  to  be  more  than  one  edition  of  the  original. 
That  now  before  us  is  printed  at  Amsterdam,  and 
the  date,  which  appears  only  at  the  bottom  of  the 
frontispiece,  is  1717«  It  forms  a  quarto  volume, 
written  in  Dutch,  consisting  of  three  parts,  and 
containing  one  hundred  and  fifty  plates,  besides 
ornamented  frontispieces.  The  objects  represented 
are  chiefly  European  lepidoptera,  with  their  larvee, 
generally  accompanied  with  a  figure  of  the  plant 
on  which  the  latter  feed.  A  few  coleopterous  and 
dipterous  species  are  occasionally  introduced,  and 
the  pupae  in  most  cases  are  likewise  represented 
Although  the  engraving  is  rather  coarse,  and  the 
drawing  often  faulty,  these  plates,  upon  the  whole, 
afford  not  inaccurate  representations  of  a  considerable 
number  of  insects,  most  of  them  in  all  their  different 
stages ;  and  must  have  been  a  useful  and  even  an 
elegant  contribution  to  the  entomology  of  the  period, 
which  was  sufficiently  meagre  both  in  descriptive 
and  illustrated  works.  The  accompanying  text,  it 
is  true,  is  not  of  much  value ;  but  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind,  in  estimating  its  merit,  that  this  branch  of 
natural  history,  as  well  as  every  other,  was  still  in 
its  infancy.  The  ponderous  volumes  of  Ulysses 
Aldrovanus,  the  works  of  Gesner,  Goedart,  and  a 
few  others,  who  studied  Aristotle  more  closely  than 
they  did  nature,  were  almost  the  only  accessible 
sources  of  information  on  the  subject ;  for  the  more 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  23 

philosophical  investigations  of  Redi  and  Swammer- 
dam,  though  at  this  time  in  progress,  and  even  in 
part  published,  were  as  y  °x  hut  little  known.  It  in 
not,  therefore,  surprising  that  Madam  Merian  should 
occasionally  have  fallen  into  error,  the  more  espe- 
cially as  she  seems  to  have  been  but  imperfectly 
acquainted  even  with  the  little  that  had  been 
accomplished  by  her  predecessors  in  the  same  field 
of  labour. 

After  residing  about  fourteen  years  at  Nuremberg, 
Madam  Merian  returned,  in  1684,  to  Frankfort, 
along  with  her  husband,  who  had  again  rejoined 
her  some  years  previously.  Not  long  after,  how- 
ever, she  left  him,  in  company  with  her  two  daugh- 
ters, for  the  purpose  of  uniting  themselves  to  a  sect 
of  religionists,  named  Labbadists,  who  had  esta- 
blished themselves  at  Bosch,  between  Franeker  and 
Leuwarden.  These  enthusiasts  were  followers  of 
the  famous  John  Labadie,  a  native  of  Bourg  in 
Guienne,  who  had  renounced  the  doctrines  of  the 
church  of  Rome,  and  promulgated  a  set  of  opinions 
bearing  some  resemblance  to  those  of  the  Quietists, 
but  mingled  with  several  peculiar  notions  of  his 
own.  His  supposed  sanctity  and  remarkable  elo- 
quence had  given  him,  notwithstanding  the  extra- 
vagance of  some  of  his  opinions,  a  great  influence 
over  many,  particularly  females, — a  class  of  fol- 
lowers which  Bayle  affirms,  significantly,  he  was 
always  much  more  anxious  to  conciliate  than  the 
opposite  sex.  Besides  Madam  Merian,  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  of  his  converts  was  Anna  Maria 


24  MEMOIR  OF 

Schurman,  of  Utrecht,  whose  extensive  learning 
causes  her  to  be  ranked  among  the  ornaments  of 
the  seventeenth  century.  Some  of  his  tenets  were 
not  unlike  those  of  the  well  known  Antoiiia  Bou- 
rignon,  who  flourished  at  the  same  period  and  in 
the  same  country,  whose  partiality  in  the  choice  of 
votaries  seems  to  have  inclined  in  an  opposite  direc- 
tion from  that  of  her  cotemporary ;  at  least  if  we 
may  judge  from  the  influence  she  acquired  over  the 
distinguished  John  Swammerdam,  in  whose  mind 
her  fanaticism  found  a  ready  reception,  after  it  had 
lapsed  into  a  state  of  gloom  and  hypochondriasm 
brought  on  by  excessive  study.  Madam  Merian's 
zeal,  however,  never  appears  to  have  reached  such 
a  height  as  to  unfit  her  for  attending  to  the  ordinary 
duties  of  life,  as  was  unfortunately  the  case  in  the 
instance  just  referred  to.  On  the  contrary,  she 
availed  herself  of  the  opportunity,  while  at  Bosch, 
of  examining  the  rich  cabinet  of  insects  in  the  pos- 
session of  M.  Sommerdyck,  which  rekindled  all  her 
zeal  for  the  study  of  that  branch  of  natural  history. 
She  likewise  went  to  Amsterdam,  and  visited  the 
different  museums  in  that  city,  taking  every  means 
in  her  power  to  extend  her  acquaintance  with  the 
subject.  She  mentions,  in  particular,  the  gratifica- 
tion and  instruction  she  received  from  the  collections 
of  Nicolas  Witsen,  director  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, and  those  of  Dr.  Frederic  Ruisch  and  Levin 
Vincent.  It  appears  to  have  been  the  admiration 
excited  by  a  view  of  the  many  splendid  productions 
of  tropical  America,  preserved  in  these  cabinets. 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  25 

that  first  inspired  her  with  the  'desire  of  crossing 
the  Atlantic  for  the  purpose  of  delineating  them  as 
they  appeared  in  their  native  haunts  and  localities. 
The  beauty  of  the  insect  tribes,  especially,  so  far 
surpassed  what  she  had  been  accustomed  to  con- 
template, that  her  partiality  for  them  was  fully 
confirmed,  and  she  determined  to  enjoy  the  pleasure 
of  observing  them  in  their  living  state.  What 
tended  not  a  little  to  confirm  her  in  this  design, 
was  observing  how  much  was  wanting  to  complete 
the  natural  history,  even  of  the  most  common  and 
interesting  kinds;  almost  nothing  being  known  of 
any  of  them  in  the  states  in  which  they  exist  before 
acquiring  their  final  form.  The  difficulty  of  pre- 
serving caterpillars  and  other  larvae,  sufficiently 
accounts  for  the  small  number  of  these  to  be  found 
in  cabinets,  even  at  the  present  day ;  and  the  most 
obvious  method  of  making  up  for  this  deficiency  is 
by  coloured  drawings  taken  from  living  examples. 
The  desire  of  supplying  this  important  desideratum 
in  regard  to  some  of  the  more  remarkable  insects  of 
America,  as  well  as  of  determining  the  nature  of 
their  metamorphosis  and  kind  of  food,  had  more 
influence  in  leading  Madam  Merian  to  visit  that 
country,  than  a  wish  to  delineate  the  perfect  insects, 
many  of  which  were  already  well  known  in  Europe 
from  preserved  specimens. 

She  accordingly  made  arrangements  for  leaving 
Europe,  but  did  not  finally  set  sail  till  the  year 
1699,  taking  one  of  her  daughters  along  with  her. 
"  It  was  a  kind  of  phenomenon,"  says  Reaumur, 


26  MEMOIR  OF 

"  to  see  a  lady  actuated  by  a  love  for  insects  so 
truly  heroic,  as  to  induce  her  to  traverse  the  seas  for 
the  purpose  of  painting  and  describing  them/'  The 
inconveniences  to  which  she  must  have  submitted 
in  leaving  the  comforts  of  home,  and  repairing  to  a 
distant  land,  where  her  health  was  endangered  by 
exposure  to  a  burning  sun  and  a  most  unwholesome 
climate,  must  indeed  be  admitted  to  imply  a  degree 
of  zeal  of  which  we  do  not  find  many  examples,  and 
which  renders  the  epithet  employed  by  the  French 
naturalist  by  no  means  inapplicable. 

The  place  of  her  destination  was  Dutch  Guiana, 
often  called  Surinam,  from  a  river  of  that  name  on 
which  the  capital  (Paramaribo)  is  situated.  As  a 
Dutch  colony,  it  naturally  afforded  her  advantages 
which  could  not  easily  have  been  obtained  else- 
where. Its  situation,  too,  was  highly  favourable  to 
the  purpose  she  had  in  view.  Lying  between  4° 
45 "  and  6°  of  north  latitude,  the  temperature  is 
very  high ;  and  as  the  rains  are  copious,  and  many 
parts  of  the  country  low  and  marshy,  vegetation 
is  sustained  in  the  greatest  luxuriance  throughout 
a  great  part  of  the  year,  affording  appropriate  places 
of  resort  to  many  of  the  most  gorgeous  produc- 
tions of  the  tropics.  In  this  fruitful  region,  so  po- 
pulous in 

.-    ..  bees  and  birds, 

And  fairy  formed,  and  many-coloured  things, 

her  ardent  curiosity  found  ample  means  of  gratifica- 
tion, and  she  remained  nearly  two  years  diligently 
employed  in  collecting  and  painting  insects,  shells. 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  27 

and  plants.  She  designed  to  remain  for  a  much 
longer  time,  but  the  heat  of  the  climate  had  such 
an  injurious  effect  on  her  health,  that  she  was  un- 
der the  necessity  of  leaving  the  country  before  her 
plans  had  been  fully  accomplished.  She  returned  to 
Europe  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1701,  and  on 
showing  her  drawings  to  the  lovers  of  natural  his- 
tory, they  were  judged  so  much  superior  to  any 
productions  of  the  kind  they  had  previously  wit- 
nessed, that  she  was  urged  to  publish  them  imme- 
diately. But  the  expense  of  executing  engravings 
on  such  a  scale,  caused  this  to  be  delayed  for  some 
years,  and  it  was  not  till  1705  that  they  were  given 
to  the  public,  under  the  title  of  Metamorphosis 
Insectorum  Surinamensium,  &c.  the  text  drawn  up 
by  Gaspar  Commelin,  from  the  manuscripts  of  the 
author. 

Before  attempting  to  give  some  account  of  this, 
the  most  important  of  her  publications,  it  may  be 
proper  to  narrate  the  few  additional  particulars 
which  we  have  been  able  to  collect  regarding  her, 
and  to  notice  some  of  the  subsequent  editions  of  her 
works.  The  costly  volume  just  mentioned  originally 
consisted  of  sixty  plates ;  with  a  view  to  extend  it 
and  render  it  more  complete,  she  is  said  to  have  sent 
her  eldest  daughter  a  second  time  to  America,  to 
collect  additional  materials.  She  received  in  conse- 
quence many  new  drawings  and  manuscripts,  which 
she  was  preparing  for  publication,  when  she  became 
unwell,  and  died  on  13th  January,  1717-  These 


28  MEMOIR  OP 

new  designs  were  added  to  a  second  edition  of  the 
Surinam  Insects,  published  two  years  after  the 
author's  death  hy  her  youngest  daughter,  Dorothea 
Maria  Henrietta.  They  are  twelve  in  number, 
making  the  entire  amount  of  plates  seventy-two, 
but  are  regarded  as  very  inferior  in  execution  to  the 
others.  Another  edition  subsequently  appeared  at 
the  Hague  (1726)  with  the  text  in  Latin  and 
French ;  and  mention  is  made  of  a  fourth,  wTitten 
in  the  Dutch  language,  which  is  not,  however,  ac- 
counted of  much  value. 

Another  work  is  occasionally  referred  to  as  the 
production  of  Madam  Merian,  under  the  title  of 
"  Histoire  des  Insectes  de  1'Europe  dessines  d'apres 
nature  et  expliques  par  M.  S.  Merian;"  translated 
into  Dutch  and  French  by  J.  Marret  (Amsterdam, 
1730.)  This  we  have  had  no  opportunity  of  ex- 
amining, but  it  is  said  to  be  little  more  than  a 
reprint  of  the  Erucarum  ortus,  &c.  with  some 
additions  and  alterations. 

Many  of  this  lady's  beautiful  drawings  are  still 
preserved.  A  considerable  number,  purchased  at 
a  high  price  by  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  and  subsequently 
deposited  along  with  his  other  collections  in  the 
British  Museum,  are  asserted,  however,  to  exhibit 
traces  of  the  graver*,  but  the  colouring  is  entirely 
executed  by  her  own  hand.  These  are  done  on 

*  Surely  there  must  be  some  mistake  here,  for  if  these 
coloured  drawings  be  done  on  vellum,  there  can  be  no  trace 
of  the  graver. 


UNIVERSITY 

MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  29 

rellum.  Numerous  others  are  to  be  found  in  public 
collections  at  Petersburg!!,  and  in  the  cabinets  of 
Holland  and  Germany. 

The  acquirements  of  Madam  Merian  are  certainly 
upon  the  whole  very  remarkable,  but  her  abilities 
as  an  artist,  and  the  taste  displayed  in  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  objects  which  she  depicts,  may  be  said 
to  be  in  some  measure  unique.  Many  ladies  have 
distinguished  themselves  as  successful  aspirants  after 
distinction  in  the  Fine  Arts,  but  none,  excepting 
the  subject  of  the  present  memoir,  have  been  cele- 
brated for  the  performance  of  a  work  so  replete 
with  artist-like  feeling,  as  that  of  the  insects  of 
Surinam,  which  is  certainly  more  elegant  and  taste- 
ful in  the  composition  of  the  objects  brought  together 
upon  the  plates  than  any  of  its  cotemporaries ;  and 
without  instituting  any  unnecessary  or  invidious 
comparison,  we  rather  think,  in  these  respects,  her 
pictures  have  not  been  surpassed  by  any  works  of 
art  of  a  similar  description,  by  the  moderns,  to  whom 
her  method  of  arranging  and  combining  her  figures 
may  serve  as  a  lesson.  Her  manner  of  introducing 
the  insects  in  their  various  stages  of  metamorphosis, 
in  connexion  with  the  plants  upon  which  they 
feed,  is,  in  our  opinion,  not  only  very  instructive 
but  extremely  elegant,  and  her  skill  in  composition 
has  almost  invariably  led  her  to  do  this  in  an  artist- 
like  pleasing  way. 

Her  opportunities,  no  doubt,  eminently  served  her 
in  these  respects,  for  she  may  be  said  to  have  been 
born  an  artist,  surrounded  at  the  period  of  her  early 


30  MEMOIR  OF 

education  with  a  perfect  gallaxy  of  talent  on  every 
side,  both  in  her  domestic  circle  and  by  so  many  of 
her  gifted  countrymen  in  Flanders  and  Holland.  The 
great  and  deserved  celebrity  of  Rubens,  Vandyke, 
Rembrandt,  and  others  of  the  Flemish  school  of 
painting,  was  a  means  of  inducing  many  others  to 
tread  in  the  same  path,  emulous  of  the  honours 
and  wealth  which  had  been  heaped  upon  these 
bright  ornaments  of  a  country  at  that  time  distin- 
guished alike  by  the  transcendant  abilities  of  these 
men,  and  by  the  wealth  which  poured  into  it  from 
its  colonial  possessions,  and  extensive  and  almost 
monopolising  commercial  enterprise.  These  circum- 
stances mainly  contributed,  in  our  opinion,  to  foster 
the  genius  of  that  nation  for  the  Fine  Arts; 
and  this  taste  continued  to  prevail  in  the  Low 
Countries  many  years  after  the  time  which  we  have 
adverted  to,  and  only  declined  when  the  enter- 
prize  of  other  more  fortunate  and  active  competitors 
stepped  forward  to  divide  with  them  the  empire  of 
the  seas  and  the  sway  of  their  foreign  possessions. 
Flower  painting  as  well  as  the  cultivation  of  parti- 
ticular  flowers,  have  ever  been  favourite  luxuries 
with  the  Dutch,  and  we  find  the  works  of  Van 
Huisum,  Van  Os,  and  many  others,  were  produced 
about  the  period  of  which  we  are  writing,  and  no 
doubt  were  treasured  by  Madam  Merian  as  models 
for  her  study  and  imitation,  along  with  the  other 
fine  pictures  which  she  must  have  been  in  daily 
habit  of  examining. 

Several   of  the   members    of  Madam   Merian's 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  31 

family  acquired  considerable  distinction  by  their 
talents  and  attainments.  Besides  rivaling  her  mo- 
ther in  the  use  of  the  pencil,  the  youngest  daughter, 
Dorothea  Maria,  was  remarkable  for  possessing  an 
extensive  knowledge  of  the  Hebrew  language.  Her 
brother,  like  most  of  her  other  relations,  devoted 
himself  to  painting,  and  had  the  singular  advantage 
to  enjoy  the  occasional  instructions  of  Vandyke, 
Rubens,  Youet,  Lesiieur,  Sacchi,  and  Charleo  Ma- 
ratti.  These  he  had  the  capacity  to  turn  to  such 
good  account,  that  he  became  one  of  the  most 
popular  portrait  painters  in  Germany,  being  em- 
ployed by  the  emperor  and  members  of  the  court, 
who  loaded  him  with  honours  and  presents.  He 
was  entrusted  with  the  management  of  public  affairs 
at  Frankfort,  and  raised  to  the  rank  of  an  aulic 
counsellor.  The  most  celebrated  of  his  numerous 
paintings  is  the  Artemisia,  and  the  portrait  of  Pierre 
Serini,  who  was  beheaded  in  1671.  Of  these  pro- 
ductions it  has  been  said,  that  they  are  equal  to  the 
highest  efforts  of  Rembrandt  and  Rubens ;  a  degree 
of  praise  which  may  readily  be  admitted  to  be  over- 
charged, but  which  may  be  assumed  as  sufficient 
proof  that  they  possessed  merits  of  a  very  high 
order. 

Madam  Merian's  great  work  was  originally  en- 
titled "  Metamorphosis  Insectorum  Surinamensium, 
in  qua  erucaa  et  vermes  ad  vivum  delineantur  et 
describuntur,"  &c. ;  but  in  the  subsequent  editions, 
containing  twelve  additional  plates,  the  title  was 
slightly  changed.  In  the  edition  printed  at  the 


32  MEMOIR  OP 

Hague,  which  is  the  only  one  to  which  we  have 
had  access,  the  title  is  as  follows, — "  Dissertatio  de 
generatione  et  metamorphosibus  insectorum  Surina- 
mensium ;  in  qua,  praeter  vermes  et  erucas  Surina- 
menses,  earumque  admirandam  metamorphosin, 
plantae,  flores  et  fructus,  quibus  vescuntur,  et  in 
quibus  filer unt  inventse,  exhibentur.  His  adjun- 
guntur  Bufones,  Lacerti,  Serpentes,  Aranea3,  aliaque 
admiranda  istius  regionis  animalcula,  omnia  manu 
ejusdem  Matronae  in  America  ad  vivum  accurate 
depicta  et  mine  aeri  incisa.  Accedit  appendix 
transformationum  Piscium  in  Ranas,  et  Ranarum 
in  Pisces."  At  the  time  of  its  publication,  this  was 
justly  considered  a  magnificent  volume,  far  sur- 
passing any  illustrated  work  previously  devoted  to 
this  tribe  of  animals.  The  dimensions  of  the  plates 
— of  that  description  which  is  technically  called  atlas 
folio — allowed  most  of  the  objects  to  be  represented 
in  their  natural  size ;  and  as  many  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  striking  are  selected,  they  form  a  series 
of  as  shewy  and  imposing  pictures  as  can  well  be 
conceived.  Many  of  the  figures,  both  of  plants  and 
animals,  are  delineated  and  coloured  with  great 
elegance  and  accuracy ;  but  this  commendation  can 
by  no  means  be  extended  to  the  whole,  or  even  the 
larger  proportion  of  them.  The  author  is  frequently 
led  into  serious  errors,  by  having  but  an  imperfect 
acquaintance  with  the  objects  of  her  study,  and 
she  is  far  from  being  free  from  the  bad  taste  of  the 
period,  in  occasionally  placing  her  figures  in  fanciful 
and  unnatural  positions.  In  this  respect,  some  of 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  33 

them  exhibit  more  of  the  artist  than  of  the  naturalist, 
being  disposed  with  a  view  to  effect,  rather  than  for 
the  purpose  of  displaying  their  habitual  and  charac- 
teristic attitudes.  When  circumstances  did  not 
admit  of  personal  observation,  she  gave  far  too  easy 
belief  to  the  reports  of  the  Indians,  who  seem 
occasionally  to  have  imposed  upon  her.  Hence  it 
is  that  she  has  introduced  many  idle  stories  into  her 
work,  for  which  her  only  authority  is,  persuasum 
e$t  mihi  ah  Indis ;  and  also  the  fictitious  figure  in 
Plate  XLIX.  composed  of  the  body  of  a  Tettigonia, 
surmounted  by  the  mitred  head  of  a  lantern  fly,  the 
manufacture,  in  all  probability,  of  some  cunning 
negro,  who  doubtless  turned  the  unique  specimen 
to  good  account.  The  work,  besides,  is  preeminently 
liable  to  the  objection  which  applies  so  forcibly  to 
all  the  pictorial  illustrations  published  both  in  that 
and  the  succeeding  age ;  namely,  a  want  of  precision 
and  finishing  in  the  minute  details,  which  are 
indispensable  requisites  in  every  delineation  de- 
signed to  be  of  service  in  natural  history. 

But  notwithstanding  these  defects,  some  of  which 
are  almost  inseparable  from  the  nature  of  the  un- 
dertaking, while  others  are  to  be  ascribed  to  the 
imperfect  state  of  engraving  at  that  period,  as  ap- 
plied to  the  representation  of  natural  objects,  the 
work  in  question  forms  an  important  contribution 
to  the  library  of  the  naturalist,  and  is  a  striking 
memorial  of  the  zeal  and  ability  of  its  fair  author, 
ne  fidelity  with  which  many  tropical  plants  are 


34  MEMOIR  OP 

represented  has  rendered  it  useful  to  the  hotanist*, 
and  the  student  of  entomology  may  still  refer  to  it 
for  information  on  many  points  which  he  will  not 
easily  find  elucidated  elsewhere.  It  has  been 
already  mentioned  that  her  principal  object  was  to 
figure  the  larvae  and  pupae  of  lepidopterous  insects, 
and  these  accordingly  will  be  found  to  constitute  by 
far  the  most  valuable  portion  of  the  book,  the 
drawing  and  engraving  of  these  being  obviously  much 
more  carefully  executed  than  in  the  case  of  the  com- 
plete insect.  But  in  order  that  the  nature  of  the  work 
may  be  more  fully  understood,  it  will  be  proper  to 
describe  a  few  of  the  more  remarkable  plates  in 
detail ;  and  in  doing  so,  we  shall  occasionally  avail 
ourselves  of  the  observations  made  on  them  by  tha 
late  Rev.  Lansdown  Guilding,  who  was  eminently 
qualified  to  form  an  estimate  of  their  character,  not 
only  by  his  skill  as  a  draughtsman  and  naturalist, 
but  likewise  by  his  residence  for  a  time  in  a  country 
similar  to  that  whose  productions  they  were  de- 
signed to  illustrate  t. 

The  two  first  plates  are  more  remarkable  for  the 
plants  which  they  exhibit  than  the  insects,  the 
former  being  the  well  known  pine  (Bromelia 
ananas,  L.),  first  in  a  state  of  inflorescence,  with 

*  To  commemorate  Madam  Merian's  services  in  this  de- 
partment, although  it  was  with  her  a  secondary  object,  Swartz 
has  named  after  her  his  genus  Meriana,  which  comprehends 
two  species  of  exotic  plants,  belonging  to  the  class  clecandria 
and  order  monogynia. 

t  See  Loudons  Mag.  of  Nat.  Hist.  vol.  vii.  p.  335. 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  35 

the  crown  and  basilar  offsets  just  developed,  and 
secondly  in  a  ripe  state,  cut  out  of  its  cluster  of 
serrated  leaves,  and  prepared  for  the  table ;  both  of 
the  figures  extremely  well  executed.  The  insects 
are  rather  coarsely  engraved.  Those  towards  the 
top  of  Plate  i.  are  the  kakkerlac  or  American  cock- 
roach (Blatta  Americana,  L.),  which  infests  most 
of  the  houses  of  tropical  America.  The  four  upper 
figures  in  Plate  n.  represent  the  Coccinella  cacti, 
and  the  four  lower  ones  the  different  states  of  Pa- 
pilio  Dido,  Fab.,  the  caterpillar  somewhat  remark- 
able for  having  two  long  pilose  spines,  springing 
from  the  incisure  of  the  anal  segment.  Plate  m, 
represents  the  different  stages  of  a  gigantic  hawk- 
moth,  which  does  not  appear  to  have  been  known 
to  Fabricius.  The  pupa,  which  is  beautifully  drawn, 
has  the  case  of  the  proboscis  of  great  length,  and 
incurved  like  a  ram's  horn.  The  pupa  and  exuviae 
of  the  larvae  are  improperly  attached  to  a  plant 
(the  Anona  muricata,  or  soursop),  as  the  sphingidaa 
undergo  their  change  in  the  earth,  and  envelope 
themselves  in  a  loose  cocoon.  Plate  v.  likewise 
represents  a  large  and  finely  marked  sphinx  (Sphinx 
Tetrio,  Fab.),  together  with  its  pupa  and  larva. 
The  latter  is  placed  on  a  cassava  plant,  the  root  of 
which  is  figured  to  show  the  tubers,  which  afford  a 
common  and  valuable  article  of  food.  The  author 
states,  that  when  the  tubers  are  well  scraped,  all  the 
juice  is  pressed  out  of  them,  as  it  is  of  a  poisonous 
quality.  They  are  then  placed  on  a  plate  of  iron, 
under  which  a  fire  is  kept  up,  until  the  remaining 


36  MEMOIR  OP 

moisture  entirely  evaporate.  When  thus  prepared, 
the  remaining  mass  is  as  palatable  as  the  best 
European  biscuit.  If  the  expressed  juice  be  swal- 
lowed by  either  man  or  beast,  death  ensues,  ac- 
companied with  excruciating  pains ;  but  when  the 
juice  is  boiled,  it  forms  an  innoxious  and  even  a 
pleasant  beverage.  Mr.  Guilding  mentions,  that 
by  the  act  of  boiling  only,  this  juice  is  (in  the 
Demerara  settlement)  converted  into  the  rich  and 
dark  sauce  called  cassaripe.  The  native  Indians 
form  of  dark  clay  their  pots  which  bear  the  name 
of  this  sauce,  serving  to  season  the  hunter's  daily 
meal ;  and  the  colonist  has  introduced  the  custom 
into  his  more  luxurious  dwelling.  The  plan  is,  to 
throw  into  the  cassaripe  pot,  which  is  never  cleaned 
or  altogether  emptied,  the  remains  of  meat  and 
poultry ;  to  add  the  sauce,  and  stir  the  compound 
preparation,  which  is  said  to  form  a  most  delicious 
meal.  In  order  still  further  to  embellish  the  above 
plate,  Madam  Merian  has  introduced  a  fine  mottled 
snake  in  a  gravid  state,  together  with  a  group  of 
its  eggs.  The  figure  not  noticed  in  the  text,  which 
is  miserably  engraved,  is  the  curious  Membracis 
foliata.  Plates  vn.  vui.  and  ix.  illustrate  respec- 
tively the  various  conditions  of  three  splendid  but- 
terflies, Pap.  Achilles,  Nymphalis  Amphinome,  and 
Pap.  Nestor.  The  former  of  these  plates  is  of  con- 
siderable value,  as  aifording  an  excellent  repre- 
sentation of  one  of  the  largest  and  most  highly 
ornamented  of  tropical  butterflies,  accompanied  with 
a  good  figure  of  the  larva,  which  seems  to  be  of 


MARIA  BIBILLA  MERIAN.  3? 

rare  occurrence,  and  likewise  of  the  pupa,  worthy 
of  notice  for  its  short  ovate  shape.  The  caterpillar 
of  Nymphalis  Amphinome  (drawn  on  a  plant  which 
our  author  calls  Indian  Jasmine,  but  which  is  the 
Plumieria  rubra  of  Linn.)  is  distinguished  by 
having  its  head  surrounded  with  a  coronet  of  eight 
occipital  spines,  and  two  long  anal  horns,  similar  to 
those  in  the  caterpillar  of  the  common  puss  moth 
( Centra  vinula)^  but  to  all  appearance  not  en- 
closing tentacula,  as  is  the  case  in  the  instance  just 
mentioned.  Although  Pap.  Nestor  is  asserted  to 
have  been  produced  from  the  caterpillar  on  the 
pomegranate  branch  (Plate  ix.),  there  is  some  reason 
to  doubt  the  accuracy  of  this  statement,  as  its  form 
and  oblique  lateral  stripes  rather  indicate  its  con- 
nexion with  the  crepuscular  or  nocturnal  lepidoptera. 
Plate  xi.  affords  good  representations  of  the  two 
sexes  of  a  conspicuous  moth,  Attacus  Erythrince, 
and  a  beautiful  species  of  the  plant  from  which  the 
insect  obtains  its  name.  "  If  we  can  depend  on 
the  drawings  of  the  Iarva3,"  says  Mr.  Guilding, 
"  and  the  accompanying  statements,  we  have  here 
an  extraordinary  instance  of  the  change  which 
takes  place  during  the  development  of  the  larva. 
I  have  myself,  as  well  as  other  observers,  witnessed 
the  disappearance  of  spots,  the  alteration  of  colour, 
and  the  variations  in  the  clothing  of  caterpillars, 
but  have  never  noticed  such  great  changes  as  are 
here  described.  The  yellow  larva  at  its  first  moult* 
ing  exchanges  its  transverse  bands  for  lateral  spots ; 
at  the  second,  the  six  strong  spines  which  defend 


38  MEMOIR  OF 

the  body  are  laid  aside,  and  the  general  colouring 
of  the  animal  undergoes  a  change."  On  Plate  xn. 
along  with  a  flowering  branch  of  the  plantain 
fMusa  pwradisiacay  L.),  to  whose  magnificent  di- 
mensions even  Madam  Merian's  plates  cannot  do 
justice,  is  figured  a  male  moth  of  the  genus  Sa- 
turnia,  conjectured  by  Mr.  Guilding  to  be  the  same 
species  as  one  drawn  by  himself  in  all  its  stages, 
and  sent  for  insertion  in  the  costly  zoological 
illustrations  of  Mr.  Wilson  of  Edinburgh,  and 
which  he  has  named  Attacus  Wilsonii,  in  honour 
of  that  gentleman*.  The  xvith  plate  may  be 
mentioned  as  affording  an  unpardonable  instance  of 
our  fair  author's  carelessness,  and  of  the  readiness 
with  which  she  listened  to  the  stories  of  those  who 
procured  her  subjects  for  her  pencil.  In  represent- 
ing a  branch  of  the  cashew-nut  tree  (Anacardium 
occidentals ),  she  has  reversed  the  ripe  fruit,  and 
placed  it  by  means  of  an  imaginary  peduncle  under 
the  leaves,  where  it  never  grows.  The  white  cater- 
pillar on  one  of  the  lower  leaves  is  a  very  remarkable 
creature,  being  entirely  covered  with  thick  tufts  of 
hairs  of  great  length. 

The  xviuth  plate  is,  in  some  respects,  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  in  the  book,  and  has  not  improperly 
been  described  as  an  entomological  caricature.  The 
animals  themselves  are  not  inaccurately  figured, 

*  We  are  enabled  to  state,  that  Mr.  Guilding's  beautiful 
drawing  will  be  represented  on  the  ivth  plate  of  the  2d  vol. 
of  these  valuable  illustrations,  the  publication  of  which  wiH 
V*e  resumed  forthwith. 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  39 

but  the  manner  in  which  they  are  represented  to  be 
employed  seems  entirely  fanciful,  and  probably  sug- 
gested by  the  idle  stories  of  the  natives.  The  prin- 
cipal figures  are  those  of  the  gigantic  bird-spider 
(My gale  avicularia,  Walck.),  the  hunting-spider 
(Thmmsus  venatorim^  Latr.),  and  parasol  ant  (For- 
mica cephalotes,  Fabr,)  Of  the  former,  one  of  the 
figures  is  represented  as  destroying  a  humming-bird, 
which  it  has  just  dragged  from  its  nest ;  and  the  other 
as  issuing  from  the  huge  cocoon  of  a  kind  of  moth, 
which  it  is  asserted,  without  probability,  to  be  in 
the  habit  of  adopting  for  its  dwelling.  As  the  story 
of  this  spider  devouring  small  birds  seems  to  have 
originated  with  Madam  Merian,  we  shall  translate 
what  she  says  on  the  subject ;  and  this  account,  along 
with  that  of  Formica  cephalotes  appended  to  it,  may 
be  taken  as  an  example  of  the  descriptive  portion 
of  her  work.  "  I  found,"  she  says,  "  many  large 
dark  coloured  spiders  on  the  guava  tree  (Psidium)^ 
which  take  up  their  abode  in  the  large  cocoon  of  a 
caterpillar;  for  they  do  not  spin  webs,  as  some 
travellers  have  tried  to  make  us  believe.  Their 
bodies  are  entirely  covered  with  hair,  and  they  are 
armed  with  long  pointed  teeth,  with  which  they 
bite  severely,  and  inflict  dangerous  wounds  by  in- 
jecting some  kind  of  liquid.  Their  common  food 
is  ants,  which  they  capture  with  ease  as  they  run 
upon  the  trees ;  for,  like  all  other  spiders,  they  are 
furnished  with  eight  eyes,  two  placed  above  and 
two  below,  two  on  the  right  side,  and  a  like  number 


40  MEMOIR  OF 

on  the  left.  When  they  cannot  obtain  ants,  they 
carry  off  even  small  birds  from  their  nests,  and  suck 
the  blood  from  their  bodies.  They  occasionally 
change  their  skin,  in  the  same  manner  as  cater- 
pillars ;  but  I  hare  never  found  them  flying.  These 
spiders  seize  upon  humming-birds  when  sitting  in 
their  nests.  This  bird  was  formerly  used  by  the 
priests  of  Surinam  as  an  article  of  food,  and  I  am 
assured  that  they  were  prohibited  from  eating  any 
other  kind  of  food. 

fcC  Ants  of  a  large  size  are  found  in  America, 
which  in  a  single  night  sometimes  strip  trees  of 
their  foliage  so  completely  as  to  make  them  re- 
semble stakes  rather  than  trees.  They  are  armed  with 
two  curved  teeth  which  cut  across  each  other  like 
the  blades  of  a  pair  of  scissors,  by  means  of  which 
they  cut  off  the  leaves,  which  fall  to  the  ground, 
leaving  the  branches  as  naked  as  winter  makes 
them  in  Europe.  Thousands  of  ants  are  waiting  at 
the  bottom  to  receive  these  leaves  as  they  fall,  and 
they  immediately  carry  them  to  their  nests,  not  as 
food  for  themselves  but  for  their  young,  which  are 
as  yet  only  small  worms ;  for  it  is  to  be  observed, 
that  the  winged  ants  lay  eggs  in  the  same  manner 
as  flies,  from  which  are  produced  small  worms  or 
acari  of  two  different  kinds,  some  of  them  enclosing 
themselves  in  a  web,  but  the  greater  number  passing 
into  nymphs.  These  nymphs  some,  who  are  igno- 
rant of  the  matter,  call  eggs,  but  the  eggs  are  much 
smaller.  The  nymphs  are  employed  at  Surinam 
for  feeding  chickens,  and  they  form  a  more  nourish- 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  41 

ing  food  than  either  oats  or  barley.  From  these 
the  ants  are  produced,  which,  after  changing  their 
skin,  acquire  wings  and  lay  eggs,  from  which  spring 
the  worms,  for  whose  support  the  ants  labour  with 
such  unceasing  diligence ;  in  these  warm  countries, 
however,  they  have  no  occasion  to  make  provision 
against  the  cold,  since  there  is  no  winter.  They 
excavate  passages  in  the  earth  to  the  depth  of  eight 
feet,  so  neatly  formed  that  they  might  be  supposed 
to  be  the  work  of  human  art.  When  they  wish  to 
cross  from  one  place  to  another  between  which 
there  is  no  passage,  they  form  a  bridge  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner, — the  first  clings  to  a  piece  of  wood, 
which  he  seizes  firmly  between  his  teeth,  a  second 
follows  the  first  and  adheres  to  him,  and  in  like 
manner  a  third  and  fourth,  each  supported  by  his 
predecessor ;  in  this  state  they  hang  exposed  to  the 
wind,  till  a  blast  brings  the  free  end  in  contact  with 
the  point  which  they  desire  to  reach,  and  a  bridge 
is  thus  formed,  which  serves  for  the  passage  of 
thousands.  The  ants  carry  on  a  perpetual  war 
with  spiders  and  all  other  insects  that  inhabit  this 
country.  When  they  issue  from  their  excavations, 
which  they  do  twice  in  the  year,  their  numbers  are 
so  great  that  they  fill  the  houses,  and  run  from  one 
apartment  to  another,  killing  all  the  smaller  animals 
and  sucking  their  juices.  They  devour  one  of  the 
large  spiders,  formerly  mentioned,  in  a  moment, 
attacking  it  in  such  crowds  that  it  is  wholly  unable 
to  escape.  Even  man  himself  is  obliged  to  take 


42  MEMOIR  OP 

flight,  such  multitudes  traverse  the  houses  in  all 
directions.  When  one  house  has  heen  in  this 
manner  stripped  and  cleared,  they  pass  on  to  the 
next,  till  at  length  they  return  to  their  holes*." 

The  ahove  accounts,  there  can  he  little  doubt,  are 
to  a  considerable  extent  fabulous.  That  the  fero- 
cious spider  could  easily  overcome  the  tiny  hum- 
ming-birds, if  it  succeeded  in  catching  them,  is  by 
no  means  unlikely,  but  it  is  very  improbable  that  it 
would  attempt  to  feed  on  them.  The  mygale  in 
fact  is  scarcely  ever  seen  on  trees,  but  resides  in 
tubes  under  ground,  and  generally  remains  close  to 
the  surface,  while  the  humming-birds  never  alight 
but  on  branches.  Its  food  consists  of  wood-lice, 
subterranean  crickets,  and  cockroaches ;  and  when  a 
humming-bird  was  once  placed  for  experiment  in  one 
of  its  tubes,  it  was  not  only  not  eaten  by  the  spider, 
but  the  latter  actually  quitted  its  hole  and  left  it  in 
possession  of  the  intruder.  The  existence  of  any 
bird-catching  spider  in  America,  is  therefore  regarded 
by  those  who  have  had  ample  opportunities  of  obser- 
vation, as  wholly  improbable  t.  The  nest  is  very  ill 
drawn,  and  ought  to  have  contained  only  two  eggs. 

Plate  xx.  is  one  of  the  best  finished  of  the  whole, 
and  is  highly  interesting  to  the  entomologist,  as 
containing  excellent  figures  of  the  caterpillar  and 
cocoon  of  the  giant  owl-moth,  Erebus  Strix,  Fair., 

*  Insects  of  Surinam,  p.  18. 

*}•  A  communication  on  this  subject,  made  by  Mr.  M'Leay 
to  the  Zoological  Society,  will  be  found  in  Taylor's  PhiL 
Mag.  vol.  iv.  p.  460.  third  series. 


MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN.  43 

the  glory  of  the  noctuidrx,  as  it  has  been  de- 
servedly called.  This  caterpillar  is  black  with  a 
green  band  on  each  segment,  and  is  furnished  with 
a  strong  anal  horn  like  those  of  the  hawk-moths, 
but  it  differs  from  these  in  having  tufts  of  hair 
springing  from  each  side  The  figures  of  the  moth 
are  much  more  carefully  engraved  than  usual. 
Plate  xxni.  represents  Morpho  Teucer  with  its 
curious  armed  caterpillar  placed  on  the  ripe  fruit  of 
the  banana  (Musa  sapientum,  Linn.)  ;  and  the  fol- 
lowing plate  is  entirely  devoted  to  the  coleoptera, 
containing  figures  of  Cerambyx  farinosus,  Cerambyx 
spinibarbis,  and  Prionus  melanopus,  with  the  larva 
of  the  latter.  The  plant  is  the  Mexican  poppy 
C Argemone  Mexicana),  drawn  in  a  very  character- 
istic manner. 

The  xxixth  plate  merits  attention  as  a  very 
successful  representation  of  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful butterflies  known,  the  Urania  Leiliis  of  Fabr., 
lately  named  Leilus  Surinamensis,  from  being  rather 
hastily  supposed  to  be  confined  to  that  country.  A 
singular  larva  is  likewise  figured,  from  which  our 
author  affirms  that  the  butterfly  was  produced.  It 
is  thickly  beset  with  sharp  hairy  spines  of  great 
length,  some  of  them  half  as  long  as  the  body,  and 
as  rigid  as  iron  wire.  But  a  celebrated  entomologist, 
who  has  lately  investigated  the  metamorphosis  of 
another  species  of  Urania  (U.  Fernandince)  has 
given  it  as  his  opinion  that  Madam  Merian's  figure 
and  description  of  this  larva  are  unworthy  of  credit. 


44  MEMOIR  OF 

The  fruit  introduced  into  this  plate  is  the  shaddock 
(Citrus  decumana),  the  largest  and  one  of  the  finest 
of  the  citrine  tribe. 

Passing  over  numerous  plates  devoted  to  the 
illustration  of  many  fine  lepidopterous  species,  some 
of  them  of  considerable  merit,  and  a  few  (such  as 
Plate  XLII.)  unworthy  of  commendation,  we  shall 
extract  Mr.  Guilding's  notice  of  plate  XLIX.,  which 
affords  an  excellent  delineation  of  both  sexes  of  the 
great  lantern-fly.  "  The  subterraneous  larva  and 
the  smaller  expanded  figure  belong  to  a  true  cicada, 
but  not,  I  think,  the  Tettigonia  tibicen,  Fair.  The 
larger  figures  well  represent  the  noble  Fulgora  lan- 
ternaria,  one  of  the  most  singular  of  all  insects,  and 
a  precious  addition  to  any  cabinet.  The  creature 
at  the  bottom  is  fictitious.  The  hollow  lantern- 
shaped  head  of  the  Fulgora  has  been  glued  on  a 
Tettigonia,  and  probably  sold  to  our  good-tempered 
author  by  some  cunning  negro.  From  her  words, 
*  persuasum  mihi  ab  Indis  est,'  she  had  evidently 
no  better  authority  for  presenting  us  with  this 
strange  figure.  The  sounds  of  the  cicada,  so  like 
those  of  the  razor-grinder  s  wheel,  are  not  produced 
by  the  proboscis,  but  by  the  wonderful  and  complex 
tympanum,  which  occupies  half  the  abdomen  of  the 
clamorous  and  impatient  male.  From  the  peculiar 
shrillness  of  the  confused  notes  drawn  from  the 
quickly  agitated  organ,  the  creature  is  heard  not 
only  at  a  great  distance,  but  is  superior  in  attracting 
the  attention  to  any  thing  I  know.  Often,  as  the 


MARIA  S1BILLA  MERIAN.  45 

sun  has  been  descending,  and  I  have  been  perform- 
ing the  solemn  service  of  the  dead,  one  of  these 
creatures  has  lighted  on  a  neighbouring  plant,  and 
there  commenced  his  evening  hymn,  and  thus 
disturbed  me.  At  other  times,  attracted  by  the 
lights  at  evening  service,  the  noisy  intruder  will 
enter  my  parish  church,  and  distress  the  preacher 
with  his  rival  voice.  If  its  jarring  notes  cannot  be 
said  to  drown  my  powerful  organ,  they  are  certainly 
heard  distinctly  above  every  thing  by  the  still 
assembly.  Madam  Merian  gives  us  an  account  of 
her  first  discovery  of  the  shining  property  of  the 
Fulgora,  and  tells  us  of  the  horror  which  seized  her 
when  she  opened  the  box  to  separate  the  quarrelling 
inmates  and  saw  it  filled  with  fire.  A  glass  full  of 
any  of  our  luminous  insects,  when  in  health,  is, 
indeed,  a  splendid  show.  The  plant  is  the  mon- 
strous or  double  variety  of  the  pomegranate  (Punica 
Granatum^  L.),  sometimes  cultivated  as  an  orna- 
ment of  our  gardens." 

We  have  now  mentioned  some  of  the  principal 
plates  of  this  splendid  work,  and  although  there  are 
many  others  of  great  interest  and  value,  an  account 
of  them  would  exceed  the  limits  which  we  can 
assign  to  the  present  notice.  Towards  the  close  of 
the  volume,  the  drawing  and  engraving  are  in  ge- 
neral less  carefully  executed,  and  the  objects 
represented  are  of  a  more  miscellaneous  description. 
Serpents,  lizards,  shells,  and  frogs,  are  occasionally 
introduced,  and  one  of  the  last  plates  is  occupied  by 


46  MEMOIR  OF  MARIA  SIBILLA  MERIAN. 

showing  the  process  of  transformation  by  which  a 
Surinam  frog  (Rana  paradoxa^  Cuv.)  is  converted 
into  a  fish !  The  closing  plate  presents  a  heteroge- 
neous assemblage  of  various  objects,  disposed  in  a 
most  fantastical  manner,  and  is  utterly  worthless. 


LEPIDOPTERA. 


INTRODUCTION. 

IN  a  previous  volume  of  our  entomological  series, 
we  have  given  a  view  of  such  of  the  day-flying 
lepidoptera,  or  butterfly  tribes,  as  have  been  ascer- 
tained to  inhabit  Britain.  Their  extreme  beauty 
renders  them  by  far  the  most  attractive  of  our 
native  insects,  and  we  trust  that  few  can  have  their 
attention  directed,  however  briefly,  to  their  history, 
without  having  their  curiosity  gratified  by  the  in- 
stances of  singular  instinct  and  economy  with  which 
it  abounds.  These  constitute,  however,  only  one 
section  of  the  lepidopterous  order,  and  that  by  no 
means  one  of  the  most  extensive.  The  hawk-moths, 
and  moths  properly  so  called,  form  the  other  divi- 
sions ;  and  to  these  we  propose  to  devote  the  present 
volume,  with  the  same  limitation  as  formerly  in 
regard  to  locality  A  view  will  thus  be  afforded  of 
the  entire  order  of  our 


-  painted  populace 


That  live  in  fields  and  lead  ambrosial  lives, 

comprehending  an  account  of  the  most  interesting 
and  remarkable  native  species  which  it  contains. 


48  INTUODUCriON. 

Several  of  the  hawk-moths  are  among  the  most 
conspicuous  insects  we  possess,  one  of  them  the 
largest  found  in  Europe ;  and  their  caterpillars  are 
likewise  remarkable  for  their  size  and  beautiful 
colour.  Although  moths  in  general  yield  to  the 
diurnal  kinds  in  richness  of  decoration  and  colours 
which  seem  as  if  they  caught  their  glowing  tints 
from  the  pure  skies  and  cloudless  sunshine  under 
which  these  gay  creatures  delight  to  roam,  they 
yet  present  much  to  please  the  eye  even  in  their 
mode  of  embellishment.  Their  subdued  and  occa- 
sionally almost  sombre  hues  are  finely  adapted  to 
the  seasons  in  which  they  are  destined  for  active 
life,  and  are  often  blended  and  intermixed  in  so 
harmonious  a  manner  as  to  produce  a  most  pleasing 
effect.  Neither  is  this  "  sober  livery"  by  any  means 
universal  among  the  tribe  ;  many  are  decorated  with 
the  richest  colours,  displayed  in  strongly  contrasted 
bands  and  spots,  and  sometimes  glossed  with  a 
metallic  lustre.  In  the  form  of  caterpillars,  too 
they  become  objects  of  the  highest  interest  and 
curiosity.  In  that  condition  they  exhibit  examples 
of  the  most  laborious  industry  and  of  the  greatest 
ingenuity,  together  with  a  variety  in  their  modes 
of  living,  and  peculiarity  of  form  and  appearance, 
scarcely  surpassed  by  any  other  race  of  little  crea- 
tures. Then  also  they  afford  those 


•  millions  of  spinning  worms 


That  in  their  green  shops  weave  the  smooth-hair 'd  silk  ; 
thus  adding  to  the  other  considerations  recommend- 


INTRODUCTION.  49 

ing  them  to  notice,  that  which  arises  from  contri- 
buting directly  to  our  interests. 

Hawk-moths  and  moths  possess,  of  course,  many 
properties  in  common  with  butterflies,  besides  the 
peculiar  consistency  of  the  wings.  In  the  confor- 
mation of  the  mouth,  mode  of  propagation,  character 
of  the  metamorphosis,  and  many  other  particulars, 
there  is  a  general  agreement,  as  may  be  inferred 
from  their  being  associated  together  in  the  same 
ordinal  division  of  their  class%  Instead,  therefore, 
of  repeating  what  has  been  already  said  respecting 
the  various  organs,  their  functions,  and  several 
other  general  properties,  it  will  suffice  to  mention 
what  peculiarities  are  observable  in  the  tribes  in 
question.  Their  habits  and  economy,  however,  are 
in  many  cases  so  remarkable  and  interesting,  that 
in  order  to  do  that  part  of  the  subject  any  thing 
bike  adequate  justice,  it  will  require  to  be  treated  in 
considerable  detail. 

They  are  distinguished  from  butterflies,  among 
other  characters,  by  having  at  the  base  of  the  under 
wings,  near  the  anterior  edge,  a  stiff  bristle  or  hair 
which  passes  through  a  hook  on  the  under  side  of  the 
anterior  wings  and  maintains  them  when  at  rest  in 
a  horizontal  or  somewhat  inclined  position.  The 
most  characteristic  and  destinctive  mark  of  the 
hawk-moths,  the  tribe  to  which  we  shall  first  direct 
our  attention,  is  to  be  found  in  the  form  of  the 
antennae,  which  increase  in  diameter  from  a  slender 
base  £early  to  the  apex,  forming  a  prismatic,  fusi- 
form club  <ind  usually  terminating  in  a  subulated 


feO  INTRODUCTION. 

point  which  is  occasionally  somewhat  curved.  This 
thickening  of  the  antennae  upwards  indicates  affi- 
nity to  the  diurnal  lepidoptera,  but  in  most  of  their 
other  properties  they  are  more  closely  allied  to  the 
moths  or  nocturnal  kinds.  The  wings  are  narrow 
and  elongated,  of  a  firm  consistence,  and  never 
borne  perpendicularly  in  repose,  but  either  parallel 
to  the  plain  of  position  or  slightly  deflexed.  The 
suctorial  trunk  (maxillce)  is  usually  of  great 
length,  often  equal  to  that  of  the  whole  body  ;  and 
appears,  at  least  in  some  instances,  to  be  of  a  more 
simple  structure  than  among  butterflies,  consisting 
only  of  a  simple  semi-cylindric  canal.  When.,  for 
example,  that  of  the  death's-head-moth,  which  is 
short  and  rigid,  and  so  sharply  pointed  as  to  be 
able  to  pierce  the  skin  of  the  hand,  is  cut  across, 
only  a  single  perforation  of  an  oval  shape  is  visible. 
The  palpi  embrace  the  base  of  the  trunk,  consist  of 
three  articulations,  and  are  so  densely  invested  with 
hairs  and  scales,  that  their  jointed  structure  is  not 
discernible  till  these  are  rubbed  off.  The  eyes  are 
large,  globose,  and  prominent,  composed  of  a  great 
number  of  facettes.  The  tarsi  are  all  divided  into 
five  joints ;  the  intermediate  tibiae  are  furnished 
with  two  spines,  and  the  hinder  ones  with  four ; 
and  in  the  anterior  pair,  which  are  destitute  of 
spines,  there  is  a  slender  lobe  lying  along  a  part  of 
the  under  side  of  the  tibia,  and  attached  to  it  by 
the  upper  extremitv. 

These  insects  constituted  the  genus  SPHINX  ot 
Linnseus,  and  they  compose  tW  family  named  Ore- 


INTRODUCTION.  51 

puscularia  by  Latreille.  The  latter  term  has  been 
applied  to  them,  because  many  of  the  most  conspicu- 
ous species  are  observed  on  the  wing  chiefly  during 
the  morning  and  evening  twilight ;  others,  however, 
do  not  shun  the  "  garish  eye  of  day,"  but  may  be  seen 
darting  about  in  the  sunshine  in  company  with  but- 
terflies and  other  exclusively  diurnal  kinds.  Their 
flight  is  exceedingly  rapid,  and  continued  nearly  in  a 
direct  line,  somewhat  like  that  of  a  bird,  differing 
greatly  in  this  respect  from  the  devious  zig-zag  motion 
of  most  other  lepidoptera,  many  of  which  seem  to 
float  rather  than  to  be  impelled  by  muscular  exertion. 
The  wings,  notwithstanding,  are  rather  of  small  size 
compared  with  the  body ;  but  the  thickness  and  mas- 
siveness  of  the  latter  admits  of  great  development  in 
the  muscles  by  which  these  organs  are  moved,  and 
a  momentum  is  thus  communicated  to  them  more 
than  sufficient  to  compensate  for  their  somewhat 
limited  extent  of  surface.  By  their  rapid  vibration, 
the  taper  body  of  the  insect  is  poised  in  the  air  like 
that  of  a  hawk,  while  it  hovers  over  the  petals  of  a 
flower,  and  extracts  the  mellifluous  juices  by  means 
of  its  long  tubular  proboscis.  The  resemblance  just 
alluded  to  has  caused  them  to  be  named  hawk- 
moths  ;  and  as  many  of  them,  when  thus  hoveling 
in  the  air,  produce  a  humming  sound,  and  in  this 
respect,  as  well  as  in  feeding  on  the  wing  and  in  the 
darting  rapidity  of  their  movements,  bear  some  like- 
ness to  humming-birds,  a  few  are  named  after  these 
"  winged  gems,"  and  are  well  known  under  the  some- 
what composite  title  of  humming-bird  hawk-moths. 


52  INTRODUCTION. 

The  number  of  these  insects  found  in  Britain  is 
not  inconsiderable,  and  includes  all  the  kinds  in- 
digenous to  Europe,  except  a  few  species.  Several 
conspicuous  kinds  hare  been  admitted  into  our 
native  lists,  in  consequence  of  the  occurrence  of  one 
or  two  examples ;  but  from  what  we  know  of  their 
history  and  geographical  distribution,  it  seems  more 
proper  to  ascribe  their  appearance  in  this  country 
to  fortuitous  causes, — such  as  accidental  importation 
along  with  foreign  productions,  than  to  their  being 
aboriginal  natives  of  the  soil.  Such  seems  to  be  the 
case  with  Sphinx  Carolina,  b-maculatus,  Daucus, 
and  Qruroei,  some  of  which,  when  caterpillars,  feed 
on  exotic  plants  for  which  the  vegetation  of  this 
country  can  scarcely  be  supposed  to  afford  any  ade- 
quate substitute.  But  on  this  subject  it  is  difficult 
to  speak  decisively,  as  many  species  which  were 
once  thought  to  be  exclusively  confined  to  one  kind 
of  plant  have  been  found  to  subsist  readily  on  others, 
when  their  ordinary  pabulum  was  not  to  be  pro- 
cured. DeilepJdla  nerii,  for  example,  has  occurred 
in  the  larva  state  in  Britain,  and  is  frequent  in 
certain  years  in  the  north  of  Germany  and  other 
parts  of  the  continent,  where  the  tender  shrub  from 
which  it  derives  its  name  (the  nerium  oleander J, 
and  which  was  thought  to  be  its  only  food,  does  not 
grow  spontaneously,  and  could  therefore  seldom  if 
at  all  be  obtained. 

The  caterpillars  of  the  typical  sphinxes  are  ol 
large  size,  ornamented  with  fine  colours,  and  pos- 
sessed of  as  distinctive  characters  as  the  perfect 


INTRODUCTION.  53 

insects.  They  have  six  pectoral  legs,  eight  abdo- 
minal or  membranous  legs,  and  two  anal  ones,  a 
number  corresponding  to  that  of  the  majority  of 
butterfly  larvae,  to  which  also  they  are  perfectly  like 
in  structure.  The  body  is  usually  rather  narrow 
anteriorly,  and  encreases  slightly  in  diameter  to  the 
eleventh  or  penultimate  segment,  which  bears  a 
long  dorsal  horn,  somewhat  curved  and  having  its 
]>oint  directed  backwards.  In  some  cases  two  or 
three  of  the  anterior  segments  become  rather  sud- 
denly attenuated  towards  the  head,  which  thereby 
acquires  some  resemblance  to  a  pig's  snout,  and 
has  given  occasion  to  the  French  name  chenille* 
cockonnes*.  The  surface  is  without  hair,  sometimes 
%  smooth,  but  more  commonly  shagreened,  or  covered 
with  hard  grains  like  a  piece  of  seal  skin ;  the 
prevailing  colour  fine  green,  the  sides  often  adorned 
with  oblique  stripes  of  yellow,  purple,  or  blue.  The 
caudal  horn,  which  appears  under  a  glass  to  be  co- 
vered with  small  points,  arranged  after  the  manner 
of  scales,  has  been  conjectured  to  be  a  weapon  of 
offence  or  defence,  but  the  animal  has  never  been 
observed  to  employ  it  for  such  purposes.  When  at 
rest,  they  usually  elevate  the  anterior  part  of  the 
body,  and  retract  the  head  under  the  second  or 
third  segment,  thus  assuming  a  peculiar  attitude  in 
which  they  have  been  thought  to  bear  some  resem- 

*  This  form  is  exemplified  in  tbe  caterpillars  of  Deilephila 
Elpenor,  D.  Porcellus,  and  others  belonging  to  the  group  which 
we  have  distinguished  as  a  subgenus  under  the  name  of  Mi- 
topsilug. 


54  INTRODUCTION. 

blance  to  the  fabled  sphinx  of  antiquity,  which  led 
Linnaeus  to  distinguish  them  by  that  name.  They 
in  general  live  singly,  and  feed  on  the  leaves  of 
plants,  principally  of  the  herbaceous  kind.  When 
about  to  be  transformed,  they  undergo  a  sudden 
and  total  change  of  colour,  their  usual  bright  hues 
being  converted  into  dull  grey  or  brown.  Prepara- 
tory to  the  same  important  operation,  they  merely 
scoop  out  an  oval  chamber  in  the  earth,  without  en- 
closing themselves  in  a  silken  cocoon,  being  satisfied 
with  the  protection  afforded  by  the  slightly  agglu- 
tinated particles  of  the  circumjacent  soil.  The 
chrysalis  is  generally  without  angular  projections, 
and  in  some  instances  the  sheath  containing  the 
proboscis  is  prominent  and  detached,  and  curved, 
downwards  over  the  breast. 

The  larvae  of  the  Zygenidae  and  ^Egeridae,  how- 
ever, which  likewise  pertain  to  the  crepuscular  sec- 
tion, recede  considerably  from  the  more  characteristic 
forms  and  habits  just  described.  They  are  destitute 
of  a  caudal  horn,  and  those  of  the  latter  family 
gnaw  the  woody  portions  of  trees  and  shrubs,  form- 
ing a  rude  cocoon  of  the  triturated  fragments  and 
undergoing  their  transformations  in  the  interior; 
while  those  of  the  former  live  exposed  on  the  foliage 
of  plants,  and  spin  a  long  oval  or  spindle-shaped 
cocoon,  of  a  coreaceous  texture,  which  they  attach 
to  the  stem  or  branches. 

The  last,  and  by  far  the  most  extensive  section 
of  the  lepidopterous  order,  is  that  containing  the 


INTRODUCTION.  55 

insects  known  by  the  familiar  name  of  MOTHS. 
This  numerous  assemblage,  which  the  minute  in- 
vestigations of  modern  observers  have  caused  to  be 
arranged  in  a  multitude  of  generic  groups,  was 
originally  comprehended  within  the  ample  boun- 
daries of  the  single  genus  Phalama^  as  defined  by 
Linn&us  and  the  older  naturalists.  They  present 
many  remarkable  variations,  both  in  their  general 
appearance  and  in  the  details  of  their  structure. 
Their  manners  and  economy  are  likewise  so  diver- 
sified and  curious,  that  a  minute  account  of  these 
would  afford  ample  materials  for  a  work  of  con- 
siderable extent,  exclusive  of  any  description  of  the 
insects  themselves.  In  the  space  here  designed  to 
be  allotted  to  the  subject,  in  conformity  with  the 
endeavour  we  have  hitherto  made  to  combine  two 
objects,  which  have  been  frequently  disjoined,  to  the 
material  hinderance  of  accurate  knowledge  in  natural 
history,  viz.  a  general  account  of  the  habits  of  ani- 
mals, with  a  correct  view  of  their  specific  forms  and 
appearance,  we  shall  first  mention  what  is  peculiar  to 
these  insects  in  their  winged  state,  and  then  describe 
their  external  structure  and  habits  as  caterpillars. 
An  opportunity  will  thus  be  afforded  of  presenting 
what  is  most  striking  in  their  ways  and  instincts, 
which,  taken  in  connexion  with  what  has  been  said 
in  a  previous  volume  regarding  the  phenomena  of 
transformation,  &c.  and  what  is  subsequently  sup- 
plied in  notices  of  the  respective  genera  and  species, 
will  form  at  least  what  is  most  material  to  be  known, 
and  all  that  is  likely  to  interest  a  general  reader,— 


56  INTRODUCTION. 

it  may  be  something  more — in  the  histoiy  of  the 
lepidopterous  tribes. 

These  insects  are  best  distinguished  by  the  shape 
of  the  antennae,  which  are  setaceous  or  diminishing 
in  thickness  from  the  base  to  the  apex.     They  are 
generally  long  and  flexible,  and  composed  of  oblong, 
subquadrate,  or  transverse  joints.     In  many  cases 
they  are  toothed  or  serrated,  and  often  emit  a  series 
of  parallel  branchlets  on  one  or  both  sides,  some- 
what resembling  the  teeth  of  a  comb,  whence  they 
are  said  to  be  pectinated  or  bipectinated.     These 
branchlets  are  sometimes  themselves  furnished  with 
a  secondary  row,  and  have  two  or  three  divergent 
spines  at  the  tip,   all  of  them  placed  with  much 
regularity,  and  presenting  a  very  beautiful  appear 
ance  under  a  magnifying  lens.     They  are  generally 
more  or  less  clothed  with  scales,  which  sometimes 
(as  in  Hypena  proloscidalis )  are  very  long  and  not 
unlike  feathers.     Whenever  they  deviate  from  a  • 
simply  articulated  structure,  the  antennae  are  more 
developed  in  the  male  than  in  the  female  ;  if  serrated 
in  the  former,  for  example,  they  are  often  simple  in 
the  latter ;  and  if  those  of  the  male  are  pectinated, 
his  partner  usually  has  them  merely  serrated,  or  at 
most  imperfectly  pectinated.     In  a  group  of  small 
silver-spotted  moths  ( Aryyromiges ) ,  which  suspend 
their  slender  cocoon  to  the  under  side  of  a  leaf  by 
means  of  four  threads  at  each  end,  exactly  after  the 
manner  of  a  hammock,  the  antennae  when  in  repose 
are  bent  backwards  and  lodged  beneath  the  wings. 
The  superficial  scales  are  greatly  more  varied  in 


INTRODUCTION.  57 

shape  than  among  butterflies ;  indeed,  it  has  been 
asserted  that  they  assume  a  different  form  in  each 
species.  This,  however,  is  by  no  means  the  case, 
hut  they  are  frequently  dissimilar  on  different  parts 
of  the  same  individual.  Many  of  them  are  so  long 
and  slender  that  they  have  the  appearance  of  hairs, 
but  the  application  even  of  a  faint  magnifying  power 
shows  that  they  are  more  or  less  dilated  at  the  tip, 
and  frequently  bifid,  trifid,  or  palmate.  Of  this 
nature  are  the  kinds  composing  the  hair-like  tufts 
and  crests  on  many  of  the  noctuidse,  as  may  be  seen 
by  examining  the  gamma-moth  (Plusia  gamma), 
a  common  species  in  most  parts  of  the  country. 

The  proboscis  is  apparently  of  the  same  structure 
as  in  the  day-flying  tribes,  and  presents  nothing 
peculiar  in  its  appearance.  It  is  seldom  of  great 
length,  and  in  many  instances  it  is  merely  rudi- 
mentary, while  in  others  it  is  altogether  wanting. 
The  Swifts  or  Ghost-moths  (Hepiali),  the  Goat- 
moth,  and  many  others,  are  so  circumstanced,  and 
they  are  probably  in  consequence  incapable  of  taking 
any  nutriment.  Moths  are  occasionally  observed  to 
feed  on  solid  substances,  such  as  sugar;  this  they 
are  enabled  to  do  in  the  same  manner  as  flies 
(Diptera),  by  discharging  a  liquid  from  their  trunk, 
which  softens  and  dissolves  the  particles  till  they 
become  sufficiently  fluid  to  be  absorbed. 

The  palpi  generally  consists  of  three  joints,  but 
in  some  cases,  as  in  the  genus  Lithosia,  they  are 
only  two  jointed.  These  organs  are  sometimes  very 
diminutive,  but  in  general  they  are  well  developed, 


58  INTRODUCTION. 

and  at  times  so  much  elongated  as  to  form  a  length- 
ened muzzle  in  front  of  the  head.  From  this  cir- 
cumstance some  of  these  insects  are  named  Snout- 
moths.  In  a  group  of  small  species,  distinguished 
by  the  name  Peronea,  they  aie  directed  obliquely 
downwards  and  much  thickened  towards  the  tip, 
forming  a  scaly  somewhat  hatched -shaped  mass. 
One  species  (Anacampsis  longicornis)  receives  its 
name  from  the  length  and  unusual  appearance  of 
the  appendages  in  question,  which  are  curved  up- 
wards on  each  side  of  the  head,  appearing  like  two 
long  divergent  horns ;  and  in  another,  they  are  ad- 
vanced in  front  of  the  head  and  curved  towards 
each  other  after  the  manner  of  a  lobster's  claws, 
whence  the  insect  is  named  the  Lobsterclawed-moth 
(  Chelaria  rhomboidella) .  These  are  what  are  called, 
from  the  place  of  their  insertion,  the  labial  palpi, 
and  are  the  only  organs  of  the  kind  with  which  the 
generality  of  moths  are  provided.  In  certain  groups, 
however,  there  is  likewise  a  maxillary  pair,  some- 
times conspicuous  and  uncovered,  but  usually  mi- 
nute and  concealed  among  the  frontal  hairs.  Such 
is  the  case  with  the  family  TENEITES  of  Latreille, 
and  a  few  others  allied  to  them.  On  the  other 
hand  the  palpi,  like  the  trunk,  are  sometimes  wholly 
wanting,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  Ghost  and  Emperor 
moths. 

The  thorax  is  shorter,  and  generally  more  robust 
than  among  butterflies.  Besides  the  patayia  or 
tappets  which  they  possess  in  common  with  the 
latter,  many  of  them  have  an  irregularly  shaped 


INTRODUCTION.  59 

appendage  on  each  shoulder,  having  the  appearance 
of  a  lappet ;  these  are  named  tegulce  or  base-  covers, 
and  are  well  exemplified  in  the  genus  Lithosia  and 
its  affinities.  This  part  of  the  hody  often  bears  one 
or  more  conspicuous  dorsal  tufts  of  feathery  hair- 
like  scales,  of  which  the  anterior  and  posterior  are 
sometimes  concave ;  in  which  case  the  former  has 
the  concavity  directed  forwards,  and  the  latter  has 
it  turned  in  an  opposite  direction. 

As  appendages  of  the  thorax,  the  legs  next  require 
a  brief  notice,  but  they  present  nothing  very  peculiar 
in  their  formation.  An  exception  to  this  character, 
however,  is  perhaps  to  be  found  in  the  occasional 
great  length  of  the  coxae,  which  in  the  anterior  legs 
of  certain  species  (Hypena  proboscidalis,  for  ex- 
ample) are  as  long  as  the  tibiae,  and  not  much 
shorter  than  the  thighs.  The  two  last  named 
divisions  of  the  leg  are  often  densely  clothed  with 
long  hairs,  and  the  tibiae,  in  the  fore  pair,  are  usually 
furnished  with  a  strong  spine  on  the  inner  side, 
which  sometimes  assumes  the  appearance  of  a  rigid 
compressed  lobe.  In  most  cases  this  is  the  only 
projection  on  the  anterior  legs ;  the  intermediate 
tibiae  generally  have  two  spurs  at  the  apex,  and 
besides  a  similar  pair  in  the  hinder  ones,  there  are 
often  two  others  in  the  middle.  The  latter  arrange- 
ment is  frequently  observed  also  in  the  intermediate 
tibiae.  This  portion  of  the  leg  often  bears  a  pen- 
dant tuft  of  loose  hair,  which  probably  assists  in 
balancing  the  body  during  flight  5  and  in  some  in- 
stances (as  in  the  genus  Alcis)  the  tibiae  have  a 


60  INTRODUCTION. 

groove  internally  which  receives  the  tuft  within  it 
when  at  rest.  The  tarsi  are  always  pentamerous, 
the  joints  usually  elongated,  the  basal  one  being 
sometimes  longer  than  the  tibiae.  Hepialus  Hectus 
is  anomalous  in  this  respect,  the  tarsi  being  entirely 
wanting  in  the  hinder  legs. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  wings  of  the 
night-flying  lepidoptera  are  never  held  in  a  vertical 
position  when  at  rest ;  but  this  negative  character 
is  almost  the  only  general  one  that  can,  in  this  par- 
ticular, be  ascribed  to  them.  In  other  respects, 
their  position  and  bearing  are  so  varied,  that  the 
distinctions  arising  therefrom  have  been  sometimes 
employed  to  divide  the  whole  tribe  into  separate 
groups.  In  many  they  are  parallel  to  the  plain  of 
position,  or  slightly  inclined,  and  the  upper  pair 
folded  along  the  back  in  such  a  manner  that  the 
one  overlaps  the  other,  thus  rendering  the  two  an- 
terior margins  parallel  with  each  other  and  with  the 
body,  while  the  under  pair  are  folded  up  beneath 
somewhat  after  the  manner  of  a  fan.  It  frequently 
happens,  in  an  arrangement  similar  to  this,  that  the 
internal  edges  do  not  overlap  but  are  simply  applied 
to  each  other ;  or  the  internal  edges  are  parallel  and 
more  or  less  remote  from  each  other,  leaving  a  portion 
of  the  back  of  the  abdomen  exposed,  while  the  line 
of  the  anterior  edge  of  the  upper  wings  gradually 
recedes  from  the  body  to  the  hinder  extremity,  and 
thus  forms  the  side  of  an  isosceles  triangle.  In  many 
instances  the  upper  wings  meet  at  their  internal 
edges,  and  are  elevated  above  the  body  in  such  a  way 


INTRODUCTION.  0 1 

as  to  form  a  kind  of  roof  over  it,  the  ridge  of  which 
is  some  times  sharp,  at  other  times  rounded.  The 
Cinnabar-moth  (PL  21.  fig.  2.)  affords  an  example 
of  the  former,  the  Goat-moth  (PI.  14.  fig.  2.)  of  the 
latter.  Many  of  the  smaller  moths  (Tinice)  have 
their  wings  convoluted,  or  rolled  round  the  hody  so 
as  completely  to  embrace  it.  Others,  contrasting 
with  these,  keep  them  always  fully  expanded,  so 
that  the  posture  maintained  in  flight  is  scarcely 
changed  when  they  alight ;  of  this  description  are 
several  of  the  brindled-moths,  common  in  gardens, 
produced  from  geometer  caterpillars  which  feed  on 
fruit  trees.  In  some  genera  the  under  wings  project 
considerably  beyond  the  upper,  as  may  be  seen  in 
the  Lappet-moth.  It  may  likewise  be  noticed  that 
several  of  the  small  Tortricidce  are  remarkable  for 
having  a  sudden  and  deep  emargination  on  the 
anterior  edge  of  the  upper  wings,  as  if  a  semicircular 
portion  were  cut  out ;  whence  they  are  known  to 
collectors  by  the  epithet  of  Notch-wing  moths. 

A  difference  in  the  port  of  the  wings  is  sometimes 
a  sexual  distinction,  but  that  is  often  marked  in  a 
more  decided  manner.  On  this  subject  it  may  be 
regarded  as  the  most  general  rule,  that  the  female, 
contrary  to  what  is  observed  in  many  of  the  higher 
animals,  is  larger  than  the  male,  sometimes  even 
double  the  size*.  The  greater  or  less  development 
of  the  antennae  has  been  already  mentioned  as  occa- 

*  In"  the  clouded  Buff-moth  (Euthemonia  Rir9ula),  and  a 
few  other  species,  the  female*  however,  is  constf  iab>  small 
Pa:  the  other  sex. 


62  INTRODUCTION. 

sionally  affording  an  obvious  indication  of  the  re- 
spective sexes.  In  several  cases  the  colours  and  the 
mode  of  their  distribution  are  so  dissimilar,  that 
when  taken  in  connexion  with  other  strongly  marked 
differences,  they  would  lead  an  observer,  ignorant  of 
the  relations  that  subsist  between  them  as  proved 
by  other  circumstances,  to  refer  the  two  sexes  to 
entirely  different  genera.  An  example  of  this  is 
seen  in  the  Gipsey-moth  (Hypogymna,  dispar)  and 
several  others.  A  few  female  moths  are  entirely 
apterous,  or  have  wings  of  such  a  rudimentary  kind 
as  to  be  wholly  unfit  for  flight,  a  peculiarity  which 
may  be  witnessed  in  the  well-known  species  named 
the  Yapourer  (Qrygia  antiqua). 

In  such  instances  as  that  just  mentioned,  it  is 
evident  that  the  sexes  would  often  experience  the 
utmost  difficulty  in  discovering  each  other,  unless 
they  were  possessed  of  some  peculiar  means  for 
that  purpose.  The  case,  indeed,  is  precisely  analo- 
gous to  that  of  the  glow-worm,  whose  "  nuptial 
lamp  "  has  been  long  regarded,  and  to  all  appearance 
with  perfect  propriety,  as  a  special  provision  to  meet 
this  exigency.  Even  when  both  sexes  are  winged, 
as  is  usually  the  case,  a  speedy  introduction  to 
each  other's  society  is  too  necessary  a  step  to  be  left 
to  the  chances  of  a  casual  encounter,  as  many  of 
them  are  extremely  short-lived,  and  not  very  loco- 
motive in  their  habits ;  and  an  opportunity  might 
thus  be  wanting  to  execute  a  function  for  which 
alone,  in  many  cases,  they  seem  to  enter  upon  their 
winged  state.  The  males,  accordingly,  particularly 


INTRODUCTION.  63 

of  certain  kinds,  possess  an  extraordinary  acuteness 
in  the  sense  of  smell  (or,  it  may  be,  are  gifted  with 
some  peculiar  faculty  the  nature  of  which  is  un- 
known to  us),  by  the  intimations  of  which  they  can 
discover  the  opposite  sex  at  a  great  distance,  and  in 
the  most  secret  situations.  Advantage  is  often  taken 
by  collectors  of  this  circumstance  to  secure  specimens 
of  the  rarer  kinds,  and  the  following  plan,  as  de- 
scribed by  Mr.  Haworth,  may  frequently  be  followed 
with  success  when  most  others  are  unavailing.  "  It 
is  a  frequent  practice,"  he  says,  "  with  London 
Aurelians,  when  they  breed  a  female  of  this  and 
some  other  day-flying  species  (he  speaks  of  Lasio- 
campa  Quercus)^  to  take  her,  while  yet  a  virgin, 
into  the  vicinity  of  woods,  when,  if  the  weather  be 
favourable,  she  never  fails  to  attract  a  numerous 
train  of  males,  whose  only  business  seems  to  be  an 
incessant,  rapid,  and  undulating  flight  in  search  of 
their  unimpregnated  females.  One  of  which  is  no 
sooner  perceived,  than  they  become  so  much  ena- 
moured of  their  fair  and  chaste  relation,  as  absolutely 
to  lose  all  kind  of  fear  for  their  own  personal  safety, 
which,  at  other  times,  is  effectually  secured  by  the 
reiterated  evolutions  of  their  strong  and  rapid  wings. 
So  fearless  indeed  have  I  beheld  them  on  these 
occasions,  as  to  climb  up  and  down  the  sides  of  the 
cage  which  contained  the  object  of  their  eager 
pursuit,  in  exactly  the  same  hurrying  manner  as 
honey-bees,  which  have  lost  themselves,  climb  up 
and  down  the  glasses  of  a  window."  The  Chinese 
likewise  turn  this  ardour  in  pursuit  of  the  female 


64  INTRODUCTION. 

to  good  account,  by  fixing  individuals  of  that  sex, 
Dertaining  to  a  species  whose  caterpillar  produces 
valuable  silk,  by  a  thread  to  a  tree  in  an  exposed 
situation,  where  they  are  soon  visited  by  numerous 
males  to  the  great  increase  of  the  proprietor's  stock. 
The  eggs  produced  by  these  insects  present  endless 
variations  in  their  form,  substance,  and  colour. 
The  surface  is  often  very  beautifully  carved,  as  was 
formerly  described  to  be  the  case  with  those  of 
butterflies,  a  circumstance,  it  has  been  justly  re- 
marked, which  distinguishes  these  tribes  from  all 
other  oviparous  animals.  In  general  they  are  of 
one  colour,  the  prevailing  tints  being  white,  yellow, 
grey,  and  brown.  Sometimes,  however,  they  are 
speckled  like  the  eggs  of  birds,  and  at  other  times 
encircled  with  zones  of  different  shades,  a  mode  of 
distribution  of  which  those  of  the  feathered  race 
afford  no  example.  Thus,  for  example,  the  egg  of 
the  Brimstone-moth  (Rumia  Cratcegata),  otherwise 
remarkable  for  being  covered  with  hexagonal  reti- 
culations, is  yellow  spotted  with  bright  red;  and 
that  of  the  Lappet  ( Gastropacha  Quercifolia)  is 
Mue  with  three  circular  bands  of  brown.  In  some 
distances  the  colours  undergo  a  succession  of  changes 
is  the  egg  advances  to  maturity,  an  effect  which 
may  be  produced  either  by  the  changing  condition 
of  the  embryo  becoming  manifest  through  the  trans- 
parent integumeift,  or  the  chemical  action  of  air, 
moisture,  and  other  influences  on  the  substance  of 
which  the  latter  is  composed.  An  example  of  this 
description  is  afforded  by  the  eggs  of  a  rarfe  British 


INTRODUCTION.  65 

moth,  named  by  the  fancy  the  Glory  of  Kent 
(Endromis  versicolor),  which  are  bright  yellow  on 
their  first  exclusion,  and  then  become  successively 
green,  rose-colour,  and  black. 

The  profuse  fertility  of  most  insects  is  well  known, 
and  the  subjects  of  the  present  notice  partake  largely 
of  this  general  attribute  of  their  race.  The  Silk- 
worm-moth, for  example,  lays  about  500  eggs,  the 
Goat-moth  1000,  and  the  Tiger-moth  1600.  They 
are  deposited  either  singly  or  in  groups,  and  in  the 
latter  case  are  often  arranged  in  a  uniform  symme- 
trical order  by  the  parent  moth,  a  process  in  which 
she  manifests  great  ingenuity  and  prospective  care, 
both  for  the  preservation  of  the  eggs  and  the  welfare 
of  the  future  young.  The  insoluble  gum  with  which 
they  are  usually  covered,  protects  them  from  the  in- 
fluence of  the  weather  when  they  are  left  exposed. 
But  in  many  cases  they  are  placed  under  some  kind 
of  shelter,  and  several  species  cover  them  with  down, 
which  they  pluck  from  their  own  bodies  by  means 
of  a  pair  of  anal  pincers  with  which  they  are  pro- 
vided apparently  for  this  express  purpose. 

The  caterpillars  of  moths  are  much  more  varied 
in  their  general  forms  and  in  the  structure  of  their 
parts  than  those  of  butterflies,  and  indeed  they  may 
be  said  to  be  formed  on  a  greater  variety  of  models 
than  most  other  animals.  Their  clothing  and  ap- 
pendages are  likewise  extremely  various ;  every  kind 
of  the  former  found  in  butterfly-larvae  being  ob 
served  among  them,  besides  several  others  peculiar 
to  themselves.  One  of  their  most  important  varia 


66  INTRODUCTION. 

tions  is  in  the  number  of  feet,  a  circumstance  which 
necessarily  gives  rise  to  different  modes  of  progres- 
sion, and  occasions  striking  differences  in  habit  and 
appearance.  Before  alluding,  however,  to  the  num- 
ber and  arrangement  of  the  feet,  it  will  be  proper 
to  mention  what  peculiarities  are  observable  in  the 
structure  of  these  members.  In  many  instances 
there  is  no  fleshy  plate  at  the  extremity  of  the  pro- 
legs  capable  of  being  expanded  and  contracted  to 
serve  the  purposes  of  a  foot,  the  leg  being  simply  a 
conical  fleshy  prominence,  having  the  extremity 
surrounded  by  a  complete  coronet  of  hooks.  Ex- 
amples frequently  occur  in  which  the  prolegs  have 
very  much  the  appearance  of  a  wooden  leg,  the  upper 
part  being  thick,  succeeded  by  a  slender  cylindrical 
piece  which  terminates  in  a  circular  expansion  sur- 
rounded with  crotchets,  and  having  a  small  nipple 
in  the  centre  which  holds  the  place  of  a  foot. 
Although  these  small  hooks  are  generally  present, 
this  does  not  seem  to  be  universally  the  case,  for 
the  subcutaneous  larvae  of  a  small  moth  of  the 
Linnean  genus  Tinea,  and  a  few  others,  are  said  to 
be  without  them.  The  true,  or  pectoral  legs,  are 
always  six  in  number,  and  nearly  uniform  in  figure  ; 
the  most  remarkable  among  the  few  exceptions  to 
this,  is  to  be  found  in  the  caterpillar  of  the  Lobster- 
moth,  which  has  the  two  posterior  pairs  greatly 
elongated  and  terminating  in  a  kind  of  claw.  The 
amount  of  abdominal  legs,  however,  is  very  variable 
in  different  groups,  and  in  the  anomalous  caterpillars 
of  two  small  brownish-yellow  moths  (Heterogenea 


INTRODUCTION.  67 

Asellus  and  Limacodes  Testudo),  they  are  entirely 
wanting,  their  place  being  supplied  by  a  number  of 
small  simple  tubercles.  The  larvse  of  a  great  pro- 
portion of  the  largest  and  most  conspicuous  of  oar 
native  moths  are  provided  with  ten  prolegs,  like 
those  of  butterflies,  and  placed  in  the  same  order. 
In  many  others  there  are  only  eight,  either  one  of 
the  abdominal  pairs,  or  the  anal  one,  being  absent. 
When  the  latter  is  the  case,  the  hinder  extremity 
of  the  body  sometimes  bears  two  caudal  appendages 
(as  may  be  seen  in  the  caterpillars  of  the  Puss  and 
Lobster  moths),  with  the  free  motions  of  which  a 
pair  of  anal  legs  would  probably  interfere.  Many 
larvse  possess  only  six  prolegs,  others  four,  and  a 
few  of  the  smaller  kinds  merely  a  single  pair,  attached 
to  the  anal  segment.  Such  as  have  a  considerable 
number  of  intermediate  legs  generally  keep  their 
body,  when  walking,  parallel  with  the  plain  of  posi- 
tion, and  advance  by  the  rapid  and  successive  motion 
of  each  segment,  as  if,  as  has  been  happily  remarked, 
a  wave  were  flowing  over  or  pervading  their  bodies. 
But  such  a  mode  of  locomotion  evidently  cannot  take 
place  when  most  or  all  of  the  abdominal  segments 
$re  without  legs,  as  is  the  case  with  some  of  those 
just  mentioned.  These  accordingly  adopt  a  different 
method,  by  means  of  which  they  are  enabled  to 
move  about  with  ease  and  celerity.  They  first  fix 
their  prolegs  to  the  plain  of  position  and  stretch  the 
body  forward  to  its  full  extent ;  then  laying  hold 
with  the  anterior  legs,  the  tail  is  let  free  and  drawn 
towards  the  head,  the  intervening  portion  of  the 


DO  INTRODUCTION. 

body  being  bent  upwards  into  a  loop  or  arch.  Every 
progressive  movement  is  effected  by  a  repetition  of 
the  same  manoeuvre,  and  the  ground  is  thus  traversed 
by  regular  and  measured  steps,  each  of  which  is 
nearly  equal  to  the  length  of  the  insect's  body. 
These  peculiar  attitudes  have  caused  the  caterpillars 
to  be  termed  loopers  and  geometers ;  and  as  they 
possess  the  power,  from  the  great  strength  of  their 
muscles,  of  fixing  themselves  by  the  hinder  legs 
to  a  branch,  and  stretching  out  the  body  stiffly 
into  the  air,  a  position  which  they  often  maintain 
immovably  for  a  length  of  time,  they  are  likewise 
known  by  the  name  of  surveyors.  The  kind  of 
locomotion  just  described  is  best  exhibited  by  such 
larvae  as  have  only  two  or  four  prolegs,  but  it  is 
likewise  seen  in  those  that  have  six,  and  occasionally 
even  in  species  furnished  with  the  full  compliment 
of  ventral  legs. 

In  the  colour  of  their  bodies  these  caterpillars 
are  as  greatly  diversified  as  in  their  other  properties. 
Such  as  live  in  the  interior  of  trees,  and  in  places 
where  they  are  little  exposed  to  the  influence  of 
light,  are  frequently  of  a  dingy  white  or  yellowish 
brown  colour;  but  the  kinds  which  frequent  the 
foliage  of  plants,  constituting  by  far  the  largest 
proportion,  are  often  ornamented  with  the  most 
vivid  and  varied  tints.  Reaumur  asserts  that  they 
exhibit  examples  of  every  known  colour,  besides 
an  infinite  variety  of  shades,  of  which  it  would  be 
difficult  to  find  the  like  elsewhere.  Some  are  of 
one  uniform  hue,  but  the  majority  are  adorned 


INTRODUCTION.  69 

with  several,  often  very  vivid  and  strongly  con- 
trasted. Sometimes  they  are  distributed  in  rays  or 
longitudinal  stripes,  at  other  times  in  bands  which 
follow  the  contour  of  the  rings ;  often  in  waves  or 
spots  of  regular  or  irregular  figure ;  and  not  unfre- 
quently  in  insulated  points,  and  numerous  other 
forms  too  complex  and  varied  to  admit  of  being 
here  particularised*.  It  frequently  happens  that 
the  colours  of  larvae,  before  their  first  moult,  are 
entirely  different  from  those  afterwards  assumed  ; 
and  in  some  instances  they  undergo  a  considerable 
alteration  at  every  successive  change  of  skin.  Dif- 
ference of  colour,  in  individuals  of  the  same  species, 
sometimes  indicates  the  respective  sexes  of  the 
future  moth ;  thus,  according  to  De  Geer,  the  brown 
caterpillars  of  a  common  species,  the  Yellow  Un- 
derwing  ( Triphcena  pronuba)  produce  males  and 
the  green  ones  females. 

Many  of  these  caterpillars  are  distinguished  by 
horns  and  protuberances  of  various  sorts,  which  add 
greatly  to  the  singularity  of  their  aspect.  The 
curious  caudal  appendages  of  those  of  the  Puss  and 
Lobster  moths  have  been  already  alluded  to,  and  will 
be  more  particularly  described  hereafter.  Several 
have  a  kind  of  horn  on  the  hinder  extremity,  some- 
thing resembling  that  of  Hawk-moth  Iarva3,  but 
it  is  never  so  long  and  acute  as  in  the  latter,  at 
least  among  British  species,  but  rather  assumes  the 
form  of  an  elongated  tubercle.  An  example  of  this 

*  Reaumur,  Memoirs  pour  servir  a  Vhistoire  des  Insectes^ 
torn.  i.  page  76. 


70  INTRODUCTION. 

may  be  seen  in  the  conspicuous  caterpillar  of  the 
Lappet-moth,  which  is  further  deserving  of  notice 
under  this  head,  from  heing  provided  with  a  lateral 
series  of  fleshy  lobes,  hanging  one  from  each  segment 
and  giving  the  creature  the  appearance  of  having 
twenty  feet.  It  is  from  these  appendages  bearing 
some  resemblance  to  lappets  that  the  moth  has 
obtained  its  English  name.  The  larva  of  the 
Twin-spotted  underwing  (Miselia  bimaculosa),  of 
the  Coxcomb  ( Lophopteryx  Camelina),  and  some 
others,  have  the  penultimate  segment  armed  with  a 
pair  of  short  horns ;  and  that  of  a  geometer-moth, 
named  the  Lilac-beauty  (Pericallia  syringaria), 
has  two  long  recurved  ones  on  the  back  of  the  eighth 
segment.  Others  of  these  surveyors  have  a  variety 
of  dorsal  prominences,  which  contribute  greatly  to 
increase  the  remarkable  resemblance  many  of  them 
bear  to  a  withered  twig,  by  representing  the  knots 
and  other  projections  of  the  wood.  The  curiously 
formed  caterpillar  which  produces  one  of  the  most 
lovely  of  our  native  moths,  named,  from  the  rosy 
spots  on  its  upper  wings,  the  Peach-blossom  (  Thya- 
tira  Batis),  bears  a  large  tubercle  near  the  head, 
divided  at  the  top  into  two  short  horns.  A  still 
more  remarkable  projection  is  found  in  a  prettily 
marked  caterpillar  occasionally  met  with  in  gardens 
throughout  the  country.  It  is  an  obtuse  fleshy 
pyramid  rising  from  the  back  of  the  fourth  segment, 
of  a  black  colour,  fringed  with  hairs,  and  incapable 
of  motion ;  the  moth  named  the  Dagger  (Acronycta 
Psi)  originates  from  this  larva.  Several  have  the 


INTRODUCTION.  71 

power  of  emitting  a  short  retractile  vesicle  from 
some  one  of  the  abdominal  segments;  and  the 
caterpillar  of  the  Emperor-moth  has  a  perforated 
tubercle  in  front  of  the  pectoral  legs,  through  which, 
when  disturbed,  it  squirts  a  transparent  fluid.  This 
is  evidently  given  for  defence,  but  with  regard  to 
most  of  the  appendages  previously  mentioned,  and 
others  of  a  similar  kind,  we  are  wholly  unacquainted 
with  their  use. 

Many  of  them  are  almost  wholly  free  from  hairs 
and  pubescence,  but  in  numerous  instances  these 
form  one  of  the  most  striking  characters  belonging 
to  them.  Although  much  more  varied  in  the 
clothing  of  their  bodies  than  butterfly  larvae,  they 
are  devoid  of  the  strong  spines  formerly  described 
as  characterising  many  of  the  latter*.  These  haira 
are  of  different  kinds,  and  arranged  in  a  variety  of 
methods.  Sometimes  they  are  soft  and  decumbent : 
at  other  times,  long,  slender,  and  tortuous,  investing 
the  body  as  with  a  fleece  of  wool;  while  in  other 
instances  they  are  long  and  stiff  resembling  bristles. 
Frequently  they  are  all  directed  backwards,  at  other 
times  they  are  turned  towards  the  head,  and  in  some 
cases  they  are  nearly  all  pointed  upwards  or  down- 
wards so  as  to  cover  the  back  or  belly  and  leave  the 
opposite  half  of  the  body  almost  bare.  In  some 
they  are  scattered  promiscuously  over  the  surface, 

*  See  vol.  x.  p.  65.  The  above  remark,  however,  must  be 
understood  as  applying  only  to  the  caterpillars  of  British 
moths  ;  those  of  certain  exotic  species  are  armed  with  spines 
of  such  a  size  that  Mr.  Kirby  describes  them  as  "  tre- 
mendous." 


72  INTRODUCTION. 

and  in  others  issue  in  tufts  from  rounded  tubercles 
arranged  in  a  certain  order.  These  tufts  sometimes 
assume  a  very  peculiar  form,  especially  in  the  larvae 
of  Tussock-moths  (Qrygia,  Laria,  &c.)  and  a  few 
others.  Two  long  fascicles  stand  out  from  behind 
the  head  and  project  forwards,  the  hairs  of  which 
are  dilated  at  the  point  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make 
them  resemble  a  painter's  brush.  A  similar  fascicle 
springs  from  the  hinder  extremity  and  is  directed 
backwards,  and  along  the  back  there  is  a  series  of 
short  wedged-shaped  tufts  of  equal  length  formed 
by  thick-set  parallel  hairs.  These  elongated  tufts 
are  often  rendered  still  more  conspicuous  by  being 
of  a  different  colour  from  the  other  hairs ;  the  latter 
also  vary  greatly  in  their  tints,  which  are  often 
mingled  and  diversified  so  as  to  produce  a  very 
ornamental  effect.  When  the  hairs  are  long  and 
thickly  set,  as  is  often  the  case,  they  form  a  very 
efficient  clothing,  and  tend  to  save  the  larva  from 
injury  when  it  happens  to  fall ;  they  likewise  seem, 
at  least  in  many  cases,  to  be  organs  of  touch, 
for  the  slightest  impression  upon  them  produces 
movements  in  the  animal  which  indicate  that  it  is 
felt.  Lyonet  has  shown  that  those  of  the  Goat- 
moth  caterpillar  are  partly  hollow,  and  set  in  a 
scaly  ring  somewhat  elevated  above  the  skin,  through 
which  the  root  communicates  with  a  soft  integu- 
ment upon  which  the  nerves  form  a  reticular  tissue, 
a  structure  which  renders  it  highly  probable  that 
they  perform  the  function  just  alluded  to. 

With  so  much  difference  in  the  form,  members, 


INTRODUCTION.  73 

and  clothing  of  the  body,  the  caterpillars  of  moths 
are  adapted  to  lire  in  a  great  variety  of  situations 
and  circumstances.  By  far  the  greater  proportion 
are  to  be  found  on  the  foliage  of  plants ;  many 
occur  only  in  the  interior  of  the  stem  or  branches; 
not  a  few  burrow  in  the  earth  to  consume  roots  ; 
and  a  small  number  are  inhabitants  of  the  waters. 
Neither  are  they  less  varied  in  the  nature  of  their 
food.  Few  kinds  of  vegetable  produce  are  exempted 
from  their  ravages,  and  unhappily  their  taste  both 
for  these  and  various  sorts  of  fruits,  often  coincides 
with  our  own.  Corn  is  not  only  exposed  to  their 
depredations  while  in  the  blade,  but  even  after  it 
has  been  laid  up  in  supposed  security,  the  grain  is 
sometimes  converted  into  a  tenement  for  a  small 
worm,  the  offspring  of  a  moth,  which  speedily  con- 
sumes all  but  the  outer  covering.  They  eat  with 
avidity  the  most  bitter  plants  which  our  fields 
produce,  as  well  as  those  replete  with  a  caustic  and 
corrosive  juice,  which  on  that  account  are  left 
untouched  by  other  animals.  The  stings  of  the 
nettle,  and  the  prickles  of  various  other  plants,  are 
so  far  from  warding  off  their  attack,  that  these 
plants  seem  to  be  the  resort  of  a  greater  number  of 
caterpillars  than  those  that  are  without  any  such 
defence.  Wool,  feathers,  hair,  and  many  other 
substances  which  set  at  defiance  the  digestive  powers 
of  other  animals,  are  well  known  to  form  a  favourite 
repast  to  these  anomalous  creatures,  and  as  if  no 
limits  were  prescribed  to  their  voracity,  some  of 


74  INTRODUCTION. 

them  do  not  hesitate  to  devour  each  other  whenever 
they  have  an  opportunity. 

Most  of  these  caterpillars  feed  during  the  day, 
but  many  are  as  exclusively  nocturnal  in  their 
habits  as  the  moths  that  spring  from  them.  The 
geometers  especially  may  often  be  observed  during 
the  whole  day  perfectly  motionless,  either  stretched 
flatly  along  a  branch,  or  projecting  from  it  like  a 
broken  twig ;  but  the  gnawed  leaves  in  their  vicinity 
show  that  they  are  not  always  thus  inactive.  An 
example  of  this  kind  may  be  seen  in  a  species  of 
pretty  large  size,  common  in  autumn  on  cherry-trees 
throughout  the  south  of  Scotland  and  many  parts 
of  England,  which  so  closely  resembles  the  bark, 
that  it  is  detected  with  the  utmost  difficulty.  The 
same  circumstance  accounts  for  a  fact  sometimes 
mentioned  with  surprise,  that  the  extent  of  the 
injury  done  to  our  culinary  vegetables  is  often  quite 
disproportionate  to  the  number  of  depredators  seen 
upon  them — the  season  of  their  greatest  activity 
being  that  in  which  they  are  not  exposed  to  observa- 
tion. Others  take  their  food  only  in  the  morning 
and  evening,  the  middle  of  the  night  and  of  the 
day  being  their  seasons  of  repose. 

Although  the  enemies  of  caterpillars  are  numerous 
and  destructive,  consisting  of  birds,  parasitical  ich- 
neumons, &c.  and  although  they  are  occasionally 
subject  to  a  kind  of  epidemic  disorder  which  destroys 
them  in  great  numbers,  yet  they  often  increase  to 
an  undue  extent,  and  occasion  considerable  injury. 


INTRODUCTION.  75 

Instances  of  their  depredations  are  indeed  of  such 
ordinary  occurrence  as  to  have  fallen  under  the 
observation  of  almost  every  one,  and  absolve  us  from 
any  necessity  of  giving  many  details  on  the  subject. 
Perhaps  the  species  which  have  proved  most  in- 
jurious to  the  produce  of  our  fields  in  this  country, 
are  those  of  the  Brown-tail-moth  (Porthesia  auri- 
flua,  Steph.,  Bom.  phceorrhoea,  Curtis.  Don.),  the 
Gamma-moth  (Plusia  gamma),  the  Antler-moth 
(Charceas  gramims),  the  Lackey  (Clisiocampa 
neustria),  the  Buff-tip  (Pygcera  bueephala),  the 
Cabbage-moth  (Mamestra  BrassicceJ,  the  small 
Ermines  (  Yponomeuta),  and  a  few  others.  The  first 
mentioned  of  these  increased  to  an  extraordinary 
degree  in  several  parts  of  England  in  the  summer 
of  1782,  and  by  completely  defoliating  the  trees, 
occasioned  such  alarm  that  prayers  were  ordered  to 
be  read  in  the  churches  to  avert  the  calamity.  It 
was  apprehended,  by  those  ignorant  of  their  history, 
that  these  caterpillars  would  likewise  destroy  the 
growing  corn  and  grass ;  but  it  was  soon  shown  that 
the  leaves  of  trees  and  shrubs  form  their  only  food, 
and  that  these  valuable  productions  would  conse- 
quently escape  their  attack.  So  numerous  were 
these  creatures,  that  subscriptions  were  opened  in 
many  parishes,  and  poor  people  employed  to  cut  off 
the  webs  at  the  rate  of  a  shilling  a  bushel,  which 
were  burned  under  the  inspection  of  the  overseers 
of  the  parish;  and  it  is  stated  that  no  less  than 
fourscore  bushels  were  for  a  while  collected  daily  in 


76  INTRODUCTION. 

some  of  the  parishes*.  The  caterpillar  of  the 
Gamma-moth  is  common  in  all  parts  of  the  country, 
and  as  it  feeds  indiscriminately  on  a  great  variety 
of  vegetables,  it  probably  produces  more  damage 
than  most  of  the  indigenous  species.  The  larvfc, 
of  Charaeas  Graminis  has  sometimes  done  much 
mischief  to  the  pastures  in  the  south  of  Scotland 
and  northern  parts  of  England,  but  it  is  happily  of 
rather  rare  occurrence  in  the  south.  In  the  conti- 
nental countries  of  Europe,  the  ravages  of  some  of 
the  caterpillars  just  mentioned  are  sometimes  carried 
to  an  extent  of  which  our  own  country,  probably 
from  its  insular  situation,  affords  no  example.  On 
one  occasion  those  of  the  Gamma-moth  overran 
great  part  of  France,  devouring  almost  every  thing 
green,  with  the  fortunate  exception  of  the  different 
kinds  of  corn.  The  peasantry  of  Alsace  suffered  so 
severely  that  they  went  to  their  priests  and  entreated 
them  to  try  the  effect  of  religious  processions  in 
ridding  them  of  the  plague ;  and  the  people  of  Paris, 
under  the  idea  that  the  creatures  were  poisonous, 
ceased  for  a  time  to  use  any  kind  of  vegetable  for 
food.  Unhappily  no  effectual  means  of  easy  appli- 
cation has  yet  been  found  to  guard  vegetables  from 
their  attacks  or  speedily  to  diminish  their  numbers. 
Reaumur  suggests  that  in  times  of  scarcity  they 
might  be  used  as  an  article  of  food ! 

o 

Of  these  caterpillars  some  are  solitary  during  their 
whole  life,  appearing  to  hold  no  intercourse  whatever 
*  Hist,  of  Brown-tail-moth,  by  W.Curtis  London  1782. 


INTRODUCTION.  77 

with  the  rest  of  their  kind ;  many  live  in  societies  for 
some  time  after  they  are  hatched,  but  separate  as 
they  grow  up  ;  while  others  continue  together  all 
the  time  they  are  caterpillars,  even  undergoing  their 
metamorphoses  in  company,  and  not  scattering  till 
they  acquire  wings.  The  habitations  which  they 
construct,  and  many  particulars  in  their  economy, 
depend  to  a  certain  extent  on  their  habits  in  this 
respect,  and  in  noticing  this  branch  of  their  history, 
perhaps  the  most  interesting  that  belongs  to  it,  we 
shall  first  describe  some  of  the  most  remarkable 
structures  of  solitary  caterpillars,  and  next  advert  to 
those  formed  by  the  combined  exertions  of  several. 
The  habitations  of  the  former  sort  are  either 
formed  by  the  union  of  separate  pieces,  sometimes 
of  different  materials,  or  more  simply  by  folding  or 
rolling  together  the  leaves  of  plants  ;  and  they  are 
designed  either  for  the  protection  of  the  caterpillar 
during  its  lifetime,  or  the  reception  of  the  chrysalis 
into  which  it  is  subsequently  converted.  Several 
form  a  covering  for  their  bodies  similar  to  that  of 
the  Phryganidae,  or  Case-flies,  with  which  they  move 
about  like  a  snail  or  any  other  of  the  shell-bearing 
molluscae.  Of  these  one  of  the  most  curious  is  the 
larvae  of  a  small  Tinea,  which  has  not  unaptly  been 
named  the  stone-mason  caterpillar.  It  forms  a 
sheath  for  its  body,  or  a  kind  of  moveable  tent,  by 
agglutinating  into  a  compact  structure,  small  particles 
of  stone  detached  from  the  wall  on  which  it  lives. 
This  miniature  tent  is  of  a  conical  shape,  somewhat 
curved,  open  at  both  ends,  and  borne  rather  obliquely. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  head  and  anterior  part  of  the  little  inmate 
project,  when  it  moves,  from  the  opening  at  the 
widest  end,  and  when  the  moth  is  perfected  it  issues 
from  the  other,  which  has  heen  previously  widened 
to  allow  an  easy  passage.  Previous  to  its  change 
into  a  chrysalis,  the  caterpillar  fixes  its  dwelling 
securely  to  a  stone,  by  means  ot  a  strong  mooring 
of  silk.  The  gentleman  who  first  described  the 
proceedings  of  this  creature,  supposed  that  it  used 
the  particles  of  stone  for  food,  but  more  accurate 
observation  soon  proved  that  they  are  employed  only 
for  the  purpose  above  described.  Its  real  food 
seems  to  be  lichens  and  minute  mosses,  which 
usually  abound  on  old  walls. 

The  weight  of  such  a  covering  may  be  supposed 
to  impede  materially  the  insect's  movements,  for 
never,  says  Reaumur,  was  a  Roman  soldier  charged 
with  such  a  burden.  Others  accordingly  select  a 
lighter  material  to  cover  the  layer  of  silk  which 
they  invariably  place  next  their  bodies.  Some 
kinds  (such  as  Psyche  radiella,  Curtis  B.  E.  fol. 
332)  may  be  said  to  thatch  it,  for  they  invest  it 
with  small  pieces  of  withered  grass  of  different 
lengths,  which  lie  over  each  other  and  form  a  kind 
of  imbricated  coating.  Others  fabricate  this  outer 
vestment  from  fragments  of  leaves;  and  a  small 
species  described  by  Reaumur,  which  feeds  on  a 
kind  of  Astragalus,  ornaments  its  covering  with 
what  he, calls  furbelows  or  flounces,  resembling  those 
used  by  ladies  in  former  times*.  Similar  to  these 
*  Reaumur,  vol.  iii.  PI.  11.  fig.  1. 


INTRODUCTION.  79 

are  the  coverings  of  the  caterpillars  of  the  Clothes- 
moths,  in  the  fabrication  of  which  they  show  a 
degree  of  diligence  and  ingenuity,  which  it  would 
be  more  pleasing  to  contemplate  if  less  frequently 
exercised  to  our  disadvantage.  Their  mantle  con- 
sists of  a  small  somewhat  cylindrical  tube,  open  at 
both  ends,  and  rather  widest  in  the  middle.  The 
exterior  of  this  tube  is  a  tissue  of  wool  and  silk,  but 
the  interior  is  lined  with  pure  silk,  for  the  greater 
comfort  of  the  little  tenant,  whose  body  is  soft  and 
tender.  So  indispensable  to  its  welfare  is  a  fabric 
of  this  kind,  that  the  worm  begins  to  weave  it  soon 
after  it  issues  from  the  egg.  The  growth  of  its 
body,  however,  renders  it  necessary  that  the  do- 
micile should  be  frequently  enlarged  both  in  length 
and  width.  The  former  it  readily  accomplishes  by 
putting  out  its  head  from  one  end,  cutting  the 
filaments  of  the  wool  with  its  scissor-like  mandibles, 
and  then,  by  turning  its  head  backwards,  incorpo- 
rating them  with  the  rest  of  the  tissue;  it  then 
turns  itself  in  the  opposite  direction,  which  the 
wideness  of  its  tube  in  the  centre  enables  it  do  with 
facility,  and  repeats  the  same  operation  at  the  other 
extremity.  The  widening  of  the  tube  is  a  more 
difficult  task,  and  the  plan  which  it  adopts  to  ac- 
complish it  is  as  ingenious  as  if  it  were  the  result 
of  a  process  of  reasoning.  The  most  obvious  me- 
thod, and  that  which  we  would  probably  adopt  in 
such  a  case,  would  be  to  make  a  rent  the  whole 
length  of  the  garment,  and  again  fill  it  up  by  in- 
serting a  new  piece  sufficient  to  afford  the  extension 


80  INTRODUCTION. 

required.  But  such  a  proceeding  on  the  part  of 
the  worm  would  expose  its  body  for  a  time  with* 
out  adequate  protection,  an  accident  of  which  it 
seems  to  have  the  utmost  dread  and  guards  against 
it  with  every  precaution.  It  accordingly  makes 
the  rent  extend  only  half  way  along,  and  when  that 
fissure  is  filled  up,  forms  another  at  the  opposite 
end.  There  are  generally  two  fissures  made  in  each 
half,  the  one  being  opposite  the  other,  so  that  the 
widening  of  the  tube  is  effected  by  the  insertion  of 
four  separate  pieces.  The  colour  of  the  garment  is 
necessarily  the  same  as  that  of  the  cloth  which 
affords  the  raw  material,  and  if  the  latter  be  party- 
coloured  it  exhibits  a  corresponding  variety  of  hues. 
The  creature  feeds  on  the  same  material  with  which 
it  clothes  itself 

These  may  be  called  domestic  moths,  as  they  are 
found  only  in  houses,  where  they  live  at  the  expense 
of  the  proprietor.  Others,  of  more  innoxious  habits, 
frequent  the  foliage  of  trees,  and  fabricate,  with  still 
greater  ingenuity,  their  little  moveable  tents  from 
the  thin  membranes  which  form  the  outer  coats  of 
the  leaves.  Their  proceedings  were  first  accurately 
described  by  Reaumur,  whose  account  we  shall  there- 
fore follow,  using  as  nearly  as  possible  his  own  words. 
One  of  the  kinds  which  he  mentions  is  found  on 
the  leaves  of  the  elm,  and  its  method  of  working 
may  be  taken  as  an  example  of  the  plan  followed 
by  the  whole  tribe.  It  commences  by  mining  its 
way  into  the  substance  of  the  leaf  between  the  two 
enclosing  membranes,  consuming,  as  it  proceeds,,  the 


INTRODUCTION.  81 

parenchyma  or  pulp  which  constitutes  its  only 
food.  In  this  way  it  excavates  a  portion  of  the 
leaf,  leaving  nothing  but  the  thin  superficial  mem- 
branes, which  it  takes  particular  care  not  to  injure, 
as  they  form  the  material  from  which  the  mantle  is 
to  be  manufactured.  The  latter  is  composed  of  two 
equal  and  similar  pieces,  each  forming  one-half, 
shaped  and  united  with  as  much  regularity  and 
precision  as  if  executed  by  the  most  skilful  artist. 
The  difficulty  of  the  task  is  increased  by  the  pieces 
not  being  of  regular  figure,  each  of  them  being 
one-half  wider  at  the  one  end  than  the  other, 
and  each  side  presenting  a  different  curvature,  the 
one  slightly  concave  and  the  other  convex.  When 
the  two  pieces  are  cut  into  the  requisite  shape,  they 
still  continue  to  adhere  to  the  leaf  by  means  of  the 
small  crenatures  left  by  the  operator's  teeth,  and  it 
now  remains  only  to  sew  the  two  portions  together. 
For  this  purpose  it  employs  the  silken  thread,  which 
every  caterpillar  can  spin,  and  attaches  the  two  edges 
so  firmly  and  neatly,  that  it  is  difficult,  when  the 
habit  is  completed,  to  discern  the  point  of  junction 
even  by  the  aid  of  a  lens.  A  rounded  form  is 
given  to  it  by  its  being  at  first  moulded,  as  it  were>> 
on  the  body  of  the  insect  itself,  and  its  dimensions 
are  easily  increased  by  the  walls  being  pushed 
outwards.  The  interior  is  freed  from  inequalities 
by  the  pressure  of  the  insect's  head,  and  then  lined 
and  strengthened  with  a  coating  of  silk ;  those  parts 
being  made  strongest,  which,  from  their  prominence* 


82  INTRODUCTION. 

are  most  exposed  to  friction.  The  little  dwelling  is 
now  complete,  but  continues  attached  to  the  spot 
where  it  was  formed.  In  order  to  disengage  it,  the 
insect  puts  out  the  anterior  part  of  its  body,  and 
fixing  its  fore-legs  to  the  leaf,  drags  the  case  for- 
wards, retaining  its  hold  of  it  chiefly  by  the  small 
hooks  on  the  abdominal  legs.  It  is  now  in  a  con- 
dition to  transport  itself  from  one  leaf  to  another, 
and  select  the  portions  best  suited  to  its  taste, 
without  incurring  the  risk,  which  it  seems  so  much 
to  dread,  of  exposing  itself  to  the  air. 

Apparently  with  the  view  of  saving  themselves 
the  labour  of  sewing  up  one  of  the  sides  of  their 
domicile,  some  of  these  creatures  have  the  sagacity 
to  mine  the  leaf  close  to  one  of  the  edges,  and  thus 
preserve  the  membrane  unbroken  on  three  of  its 
sides.  "  Their  proceedings,"  says  one  of  the  authors 
of  the  Introduction  to  Entomology,  "  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  witnessing  a  short  time  since  upon  the 
alders  in  the  Hull  Botanic  Garden.  More  ingenious 
than  their  brethren,  and  willing  to  save  the  labour 
of  sewing  up  two  sides  in  their  dwellings,  they 
insinuate  themselves  near  the  edge  of  a  leaf  instead 
of  in  its  middle.  Here  they  form  their  excavation, 
mining  into  the  very  crenatures  between  the  two 
surfaces  of  the  leaf,  which,  being  joined  together 
at  the  edge,  there  form  one  seam  of  the  case ;  and 
from  their  dentated  figure,  give  it  a  very  singular 
appearance,  not  unlike  that  of  some  fishes  which 
have  fins  on  their  backs.  The  opposite  side  they 


INTRODUCTION.  83 

are  necessarily  forced  to  cut  and  sew  up ;  but,  even 
in  this  operation,  they  show  an  ingenuity  and  con- 
trivance worthy  of  admiration/' 

A  numerous  tribe  of  small  caterpillars  feed,  like 
those  just  described,  on  the  pulp  of  leaves,  but  form 
no  tent,  contenting  themselves  with  the  protection 
afforded  by  the  walls  of  their  galleries.  These  have 
been  named  leaf-miners,  and  are  very  common  on  a 
variety  of  plants.  Their  tracks  appear  on  the  surface 
of  the  leaf  like  white  tortuous  lines,  sometimes  ex- 
panding into  areas,  and  often  intersecting  each  other. 
They  are  mostly  very  diminutive,  as  may  be  inferred 
from  the  nature  of  their  haunts,  many  of  them  finding 
ample  scope  and  accommodation  within  the  dimen- 
sions of  a  leaf  "not  equal  in  thickness  to  this  paper. 

The  most  cursory  observer  cannot  fail  to  have 
noticed  that  the  leaves  of  trees  and  shrubs  are  often 
rolled  together  into  hollow  cylinders,  folded  in  a 
variety  of  forms  or  collected  into  packets,  and  that 
they  are  held  in  these  positions  by  a  series  of  silken 
ligaments.  Each  of  these  will  be  found  to  contain 
a  small  caterpillar,  generally  belonging  to  the  tribe 
of  insects  now  under  consideration,  which  has 
adopted  this  method  of  sheltering  itself  from  the 
weather,  and  feeding  at  its  ease  in  concealment 
from  its  numerous  enemies.  Leaves  of  great  strength 
and  elasticity  are  frequently  seen  twisted  and  con- 
voluted for  this  purpose,  and  it  is  not  a  little 
surprising  that  creatures  of  such  small  dimensions, 
frequently  not  exceeding  two  or  three  lines  in  length, 
should  be  able  to  overcome  the  resistance  of  thg 


84  INTEODUCTIOX. 

fibres  and  nervures  over  so  comparatively  large  a 
surface.  This,  however,  they  accomplish  with 
apparent  ease,  instructed  by  the  same  beneficent 
Power  that  teacheth  man  knowledge,  and  who  has 
conferred  even  on  the  lowest  of  his  sentient  creatures 
an  instinct  which  operates  with  the  most  salutary 
regularity,  and  is  perfectly  adequate  to  the  supply 
of  all  their  wants. 

Before  a  caterpillar  of  this  sort  commences  its 
operations,  it  seems  to  take  a  survey  of  the  leaf,  in 
order  to  discover  the  part  best  adapted  to  its  purpose. 
By  availing  itself  of  some  natural  inflection  or  cur- 
vature, such  as  may  generally  be  found  even  in  the 
flattest  leaves,  its  labour  is  sometimes  considerably 
lessened.  It  then  takes  up  its  position  nearly  mid- 
way between  the  edge  of  the  leaf  and  the  place  to 
which  it  desires  to  draw  it, — the  latter  being  gene- 
rally the  mid-rib,  or  some  one  of  the  principal 
nervures, — and  spins  a  multitude  of  threads  between 
these  two  points.  These  threads  are  the  mechanical 
means  by  which  the  operation  is  to  be  accomplished. 
The  curvature  once  formed,  they  easily  prevent  the 
recoil  of  the  leaf,  but  it  is  not  so  obvious  in  what 
manner  they  cause  it  to  roll  up.  One  of  the  most 
philosophical  observers  that  ever  laboured  in  this  field 
of  natural  history,  confesses  that  he  was  unable  to 
satisfy  himself  how  this  effect  was  produced,  although 
the  operation  was  going  on  under  his  eyes.  "  Le 
paquet,"  he  says,  "  ii'est  que  Tassemblage  des  fils  files 
successivement.  Dans  1'instant  que  chaque  fil  vient 
de  sortir  de  la  filiere,  pendant  qu'il  est  encore  mol, 


INTRODUCTION.  85 

pour  ainsi  dire,  1'insecte  1'applique  contre  la  feuille, 
il  est  asses  gluant  pour  s'y  coller :  il  peut  bien  avoir 
&e  tire  droit  d'une  partie  de  la  feuille  a  1'autre,  mais 
il  ne  S9auroit  avoir  ete  asses  tendu  pour  faire  un 
effort  capable  de  ramener  une  des  deux  parties  de 
la  feuille  vers  1'autre.  Je  S9ais  que  ce  fil,  quoique 
extremement  delie,  a  quelque  force;  je  lai  vu  en 
bien  de  circonstances,  suspendre  la  chenille  en  Tair, 
mais  il  n'a  pas  ete  possible,  que  quand  il  a  ete  attache 
avec  le  degre  de  tension  necessaire  pour  forcer  une 
des  parties  d'une  feuille  a*  s'approcher  de  1'autre. 
Si  apres  avoir  ete  file,  il  se  raccourcissoit  en  sechant, 
ce  raccourcissement  le  mettroit  en  etat  d'agir; 
mais  ou  peut  aller  le  raccourcissement  d'un  fil  si 
court?  Combien  seroit  petite  la  courbure  qu'il 
pourrait  donner  a  la  feuille* !"  It  is  very  likely, 
however,  that  the  thread  suffers  some  contraction  as 
the  moisture  evaporates  by  the  action  of  the  air,  and 
however  slight  that  contraction  may  be,  that  it  co- 
operates with  other  causes  to  produce  the  curvature. 
The  only  other  means  which  the  insect  has  been 
observed  to  employ,  are  drawing  the  threads  towards 
itself  by  its  fore  legs,  and  hanging  upon  them  with 
the  whole  weight  of  its  body.  These  threads  are  not 
placed  at  random,  but  arranged  in  small  bundles  or 
fascicles,  each  of  which  consists  of  two  parallel  rows, 
crossing  each  other  in  the  centre.  When  the  insect 
has  formed  the  lower  series,  it  passes  to  the  other  side 
and  spins  the  second,  making  use  of  the  former,  while 
so  doing,  as  a  kind  of  platform  for  the  support  of  its 
*  Reaumur,  Mem.  ii.  p.  215. 


86  INTRODUCTION. 

body.  Its  whole  weight  consequently  tends  to  draw 
the  leaf  forwards,  while  every  successive  thread  of 
the  superior  set  that  is  fixed,  immediately  secures 
the  additional  curve  gained  by  the  continued  pressure. 
The  effect  of  this  mode  of  proceeding  soon  becomes 
visible  in  the  appearance  of  the  threads ;  the  lower 
ones  become  loose  and  floating,  and  those  last  spun 
alone  continue  tight.  One  convolution  of  the  leaf 
being  in  this  manner  secured,  the  laborious  little 
workman  proceeds  to  form  a  second,  by  fixing  his 
cords  further  back  on  the  bent  part  of  the  leaf,  and 
managing  them  as  before.  When  the  last  roll  is 
completed,  the  whole  is  secured  by  a  series  of  silken 
bands,  one  or  two  of  which  are  placed  at  each  ex- 
tremity of  the  cylinder;  or  it  is  fastened  with 
irregular  threads,  which  form  a  kind  of  thin  web 
along  the  whole  extent  of  the  leaf.  The  caterpillar 
now  takes  up  its  abode  in  the  interior,  and  finds 
ample  means  of  subsistence  in  the  internal  layers  of 
its  dwelling,  without  injuring  the  outermost  roll ;  or 
if  the  latter  be  likewise  consumed,  it  is  under  the 
necessity  of  constructing  another  tenement. 

Reaumur,  and  several  authors  who  have  followed 
him,  assert,  that  when  these  leaf-rollers  are  unable 
to  overcome  the  resistance  of  the  leaf  by  the  mecha- 
nism just  described,  they  render  it  more  flexible  by 
purposely  gnawing  the  nervures  and  the  thickest  por- 
tions ;  but  others  are  inclined  to  regard  this  state- 
ment as  erroneous.  As  they  are  often  occupied  a 
considerable  time  in  forming  their  habitations,  it  is 
scarcely  to  be  supposed  that  they  always  abstain 


INTRODUCTION.  87 

from  food  till  their  task  is  completed,  and  if  they 
do  not,  they  may  frequently  increase  the  suppleness 
of  the  leaf,  although  we  do  not  allow  them  credit 
for  being  sufficiently  sagacious  to  gnaw  its  fibres  for 
that  express  purpose. 

The  proceedings  of  different  caterpillars,  in  forming 
dwellings  of  this  kind,  vary  considerably ;  but  the 
mechanical  means  which  they  employ  are  in  most 
cases  similar  to  the  above.  Some  roll  the  leaves 
from  the  point  down  the  mid-rib,  others  from  the 
side  towards  the  centre.  Many  compose  their 
habitations  by  rolling  two  leaves  together,  while 
others  draw  the  two  sides  towards  each  other  and 
convert  the  whole  leaf  into  a  capacious  tube.  A 
few,  less  laborious  than  their  fellows,  select  the  long 
and  nearly  parallel  leaves  which  terminate  the 
young  shoots  of  the  willow,  and  very  expeditiously 
adapt  them  to  their  own  purposes,  simply  by  wind- 
ing round  them  a  number  of  silken  cords.  Such 
kinds  show  a  wonderful  degree  of  instinctive  fore- 
sight, in  carefully  gnawing  the  bud  at  the  extremity 
of  the  shoot,  which  is  enclosed  in  the  centre  of  the 
packet,  and  thereby  preventing  it  from  sprouting,  as 
its  doing  so  would  have  the  effect  of  disarranging 
the  whole  tenement,  and  probably  rupturing  the 
bands  by  which  it  was  held  together.  A  small 
number  take  up  their  abode  in  the  centre  of  um- 
belliferous herbs.  It  is  well  known,  that  in  many 
of  these  plants  the  little  umbels  gradually  become 
longer  as  they  recede  from  the  centre,  and  that 
consequently  when  they  approyimate  to  each  other, 


Htf  INTRODUCTION. 

as  they  sometimes  do  naturally  for  the  protection  of 
the  seed,  they  form  a  little  hollow  or  cup  in  the 
middle,  a  circumstance  so  well  exemplified  in  the 
wild  carrot  (Daucus  Carota)^  that  it  has  procured 
for  it  the  name  of  the  bird's  nest.  Ingeniously 
availing  itself  of  this  tendency,  the  caterpillar  draws 
the  pedicles  closely  together  with  ligaments  of  silk, 
and  thus  provides  for  itself  a  pretty  secure  lodge- 
ment in  the  interior. 

The  larvae  which  follow  the  modes  of  architecture 
hitherto  described,  spend  their  lives  in  solitude, 
each  confining  himself  to  his  own  leafy  tenement, 
as  closely  as  a  hermit  to  his  cell.  Others,  however, 
are  of  a  more  social  and  convivial  disposition,  and 
not  only  feed  in  company,  but  form  tents  which  are 
common  to  the  whole  community.  These  little 
commonwealths  are  the  offsprings  of  one  mother, 
originating  from  eggs  which  she  has  deposited  in 
clusters  on  the  plant  best  adapted  to  the  nourishment 
of  the  young.  In  some  cases,  as  has  been  already 
mentioned,  the  latter  continue  together  only  for  a 
certain  time  after  they  are  hatched  and  then  separate, 
probably  in  order  to  obtain  a  more  abundant  supply 
of  food.  But  in  other  instances,  it  seems  essential 
to  their  economy  that  they  continue  to  associate 
until  they  reach  their  perfect  condition.  Of  the 
former  description  are  the  caterpillars,  so  abundant 
in  some  years  on  fruit  trees,  which  produce  a  moth 
of  a  beautiful  snow-white,  with  the  apex  of  the 
abdomen  bright  yellow  (Porthesia  Chrysorrhcea}, 
whose  nests  may  be  taken  as  an  example  of  the 


INTRODUCTION.  89 

kinds  generally  formed  by  these  family  associations. 
When  they  first  issue  from  the  egg,  they  arrange 
themselves  side  by  side  in  regular  lines,  two  or  three 
deep,  and  eat  their  way  along  the  surface  of  the 
leaf,  advancing  simultaneously  and  with  as  much 
regularity  as  if  they  were  executing  a  military 
manoeuvre.  In  this  systematic  way  they  speedily 
consume  the  leaf  for  rather  more  than  half  its  thick- 
ness ;  leaving,  however,  untouched  the  inferior  epi- 
dermis and  the  nervures,  as  these  are  to  form  the 
canvass  and  cordage,  if  it  may  be  so  expressed,  of  a 
portion  of  their  future  tent.  At  an  early  period 
some  of  them  may  be  seen  carrying  their  lines  of 
silk  from  one  side  of  the  leaf  to  the  other,  and  as 
these  increase  in  number^  the  latter,  now  become 
thin  and  pliable,  gradually  acquires  a  concave  shape. 
By  the  aid  of  additional  spinners,  the  threads  are 
multiplied  till  they  form  a  continuous  web  or  veil, 
the  silk  of  which  is  remarkable  for  its  whiteness. 
Under  this,  as  a  kind  of  roof,  they  find  shelter  from 
the  weather,  and  make  little  excursions  when  in 
want  of  additional  food. 

Now  busily  convened,  upon  the  bud 
That  crowns  their  genial  branch,  they  feast  sublime  ; 
And  spread  their  muslin  canopy  around, 
Pavilioned  richer  than  the  proudest  kings. 

Several  leaves,  prepared  in  this  manner,  are  gene- 
rally necessary  to  afford  accommodation  to  an  entire 
colony.  These  slight  erections,  however,  are  de- 
signed merely  for  temporary  protection,  and  are  all 
abandoned  for  one  of  a  more  durable  construction. 


90  INTRODUCTION. 

in  which  they  pass  the  winter  and  continue  to  dwell 
all  the  time  they  remain  in  society.  This  they 
generally  form  near  the  extremity  of  some  of  the 
twigs  that  afforded  them  food.  It  presents,  when 
completed,  the  appearance  of  a  large  packet  of  silk 
and  leaves  rudely  interwoven,  and  of  no  uniform 
shape,  the  latter  heing  regulated  entirely  by  the 
disposition  of  the  shoots  which  support  it.  The 
whole  colony  work  busily  at  this  new  edifice,  and 
stretch  their  strong  nets  in  all  directions  till  they 
have  enclosed  a  sufficient  space.  The  different 
webs  divide  the  interior  of  the  nest  into  several 
compartments  of  very  irregular  form,  but  each  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  contain  a  number  of  caterpil- 
lars. When  the  interior  is  laid  open,  a  number  of 
cells  are  visible,  forming  such  a  complete  labyrinth, 
that  it  is  difficult  to  comprehend  how  the  larvas  that 
lodge  in  the  centre  find  means  to  reach  their 
quarters.  This,  however,  they  are  enabled  to  do 
by  means  of  doors  or  passages,  which  they  take 
care  to  leave  open  at  convenient  places  as  the 
structure  advances.  The  texture  of  these  nests  is 
so  strong  that  they  withstand  all  the  storms  of 
winter  and  spring,  and  protect  their  little  inmates 
till  the  beginning  of  summer,  when  they  disperse 
in  order  to  undergo  their  metamorphosis. 

The  nests  of  other  kinds  of  social  caterpillars  are 
frequently  formed  with  less  art  than  the  above. 
Those  found  in  such  profusion  in  certain  seasons 
on  apple  trees,  made  by  caterpillars  which  produce  a 
small  pearl-white  moth,  sprinkled  with  black  dots, 


INTRODUCTION.  91 

are  of  this  description,  although  these  larvae  are 
among  the  species  which  continue  in  company  till 
they  become  pupae,  a  circumstance  which  might  be 
supposed  to  render  a  secure  protection  more  neces- 
sary. Their  nests  appear  like  an  assemblage  of 
irregular  webs,  very  transparent,  and  almost  resem- 
bling those  spun  by  certain  spiders.  These  form  a 
kind  of  hammock  on  which  the  caterpillars  repose, 
not  even  leaving  it  when  they  feed,  but  merely 
stretching  their  heads  over  the  sides.  They  seem 
to  be  very  sensitive,  and  on  the  slightest  touch  draw 
back  or  advance  on  their  silken  couch.  This  they 
are  observed  to  do  nearly  in  a  straight  line,  without 
turning  to  the  right  or  left ;  and  on  careful  exami- 
nation, it  is  found  that  this  is  occasioned  by  each 
being  enclosed  in  a  kind  of  long  sheath  of  filigree 
work,  of  so  delicate  a  texture  as  to  be  invisible  to  the 
naked  eye.  In  the  course  of  their  lives  each  society 
makes  seven  or  eight  of  these  nests,  a  new  one 
being  requisite  every  time  they  shift  their  quarters 
in  search  of  food. 

These  larvae,  as  well  as  a  large  proportion  of  the 
species  formerly  alluded  to,  are  converted  into  chry- 
salides in  the  same  abodes  they  occupied  during 
their  reptile  state ;  but  many  provide  for  their 
safety,  while  in  that  comparatively  defenceless  con- 
dition, by  constructing  cells  of  great  strength  and 
solidity.  Most  pf  these  will  be  described  here- 
after, in  connexion  with  the  particular  history  of 
the  species  which  form  them.  They  are  usually 


92  INTRODUCTION. 

composed  of  particles  of  earth  or  sand,  agglutinated 
or  held  together  by  an  intermixture  of  silk  threads. 
Such  are  a  few  of  the  structures  of  these  minia- 
ture architects,  and  it  is  impossible  to  peruse  even 
the  most  brief  and  imperfect  account  of  them  with- 
out being  struck  with  the  admirable  skill  and 
foresight  which  they  manifest.  The  almost  unde- 
viating  uniformity  of  the  cells  of  the  hive-bee  has 
been  sometimes  adduced  as  an  argument  against 
the  intelligence  of  these  industrious  insects,  their 
operations,  being  thought  to  be  thereby  assimilated 
to  those  of  a  piece  of  unconscious  mechanism.  But 
this  objection,  if  it  be  one,  does  not  apply  to  the 
creatures  we  have  just  been  considering.  There  is 
always  sufficient  variety  in  the  circumstances  under 
which  they  work  to  require  the  exercise  of  con- 
siderable intelligence.  They  must  discriminate  and 
select,  and  adapt  their  plans  to  new  contingencies 
which  are  continually  occurring  in  the  course  of  their 
proceedings.  The  facility  with  which  they  do  this 
has-  been  often  exemplified.  We  have  already  men- 
tioned a  small  larva  which  forms  a  moveable  tent 
of  the  epidermis  of  a  leaf,  and  which,  to  save  the 
trouble  of  sewing  up  one  of  the  sides,  makes  its 
excavation  close  to  the  edge,  where  it  leaves  the 
membrane  entire  to  form  one  of  the  walls.  While  the 
operation  was  going  forward,  Reaumur  cut  off  with 
a  pair  of  scissors  the  whole  of  the  outer  edge,  and 
left  it  in  a  great  measure  open.  Thus  unexpectedly 
exposed  and  defeated  in  its  object,  the  worm  was 


INTRODUCTION.  93 

not  long  in  determining  what  steps  it  would  be 
necessary  to  take  in  order  to  repair  the  disaster. 
It  almost  immediately  began  to  connect  the  two 
dissevered  membranes  by  means  of  silk  threads,  a 
task  which  it  completed  in  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
continued  its  operations,  as  if  it  had  experienced  no 
material  interruption. 

The  chrysalides  of  butterflies  were  formerly  de- 
scribed as  being,  with  very  few  exceptions,  of  an 
angular  shape,  and  suspended  either  by  the  tail  or  a 
band  round  the  middle ;  those  of  moths,  however,  are 
generally  of  an  oval  or  elliptical  form,  somewhat 
inclining  to  conical,  and  scarcely  ever  suspended*. 
In  a  few  instances  they  assume  the  figure  of  an  elon- 
gated cone,  and  in  others  they  approach  to  cylindrical. 
They  have  no  projections  or  protuberances  on  the 
body,  but  the  head  is  occasionally  armed  with  one  or 
two  sharp  points,  and  the  abdominal  segments  with 
a  series  of  spines  directed  backwards.  The  hinder 
extremity  is  sometimes  furnished  with  a  number  of 
small  hooks,  similar  to  those  in  butterfly  pupae, 
although  they  are  not  employed  for  the  same  purpose, 
fhe  colour  of  these  pupae  is  very  uniform,  being  in 
general  a  deep  chestnut-brown,  sometimes  approach  - 

*  Among  the  few  instances  of  suspension  afforded  by  our 
native  species,  we  may  mention,  as  examples,  some  of  the  small 
plumed  moths  (Alucitula),  and  a  few  Geometers  belonging 
to  the  genus  Ephyra,  which  have  their  chrysalides  attached 
to  the  under  side  of  leaves,  &c.  by  the  tail  and  middle,  nearly 
in  the  same  manner  as  practised  by  the  caterpillars  of  the 
white-cabbage  butterfly. 


94  INTRODUCTION. 

ing  to  black.  Occasionally,  however,  they  are  of 
brighter  hues ;  that  of  Geometra  alniaria  is  bluish  ; 
that  of  the  dark  crimson  under  wing  (Catocala 
sponsa),  lilac;  and  that  of  the  common  Magpie- 
moth  (Abraxas  grossulariata),  a  species  remarkable 
for  the  similarity  of  its  colours  through  all  its  diffe- 
rent stages,  is  ornamented  with  alternate  rings  of 
black  and  yellow. 

The  security  which  arises  to  the  pupse  of  butter- 
flies from  being  hung  out  of  the  way  of  danger,  is 
provided  for  among  moths,  by  enveloping  them  in 
a  dense  tissue  of  silk  or  extraneous  substances,  and 
frequently  by  burying  them  in  the  earth  or  in  the 
interior  of  plants.  This  covering  of  the  chrysalis, 
of  whatsoever  materials  it  is  composed,  is  named  the 
cocoon.  Silk  is  almost  always  used  in  its  composi- 
tion, and  in  very  many  cases  it  is  the  only  substance 
employed.  In  structure,  texture,  and  many  other 
properties,  cocoons  vary  extremely.  Sometimes  the 
caterpillars  content  themselves  with  filling  a  certain 
space  with  threads,  crossing  each  other  in  various 
directions,  and  leaving  many  voids  between  them  : 
in  the  centre  of  this  loose  web  the  chrysalis  is  placed. 
In  other  instances  the  fabric  is  more  closely  woven, 
but  still  sufficiently  open  to  allow  the  chrysalis  to 
be  seen,  and  apparently  inadequate  to  protect  it 
from  the  weather.  In  such  cases,  however,  addi- 
tional shelter  is  often  obtained  by  drawing  round 
it  a  few  of  the  leaves  among  which  it  is  usually 
placed.  Many  hairy  larvae  increase  the  compactness 
of  their  cocoons  by  stripping  their  own  bodies  and 


INTRODUCTION.  95 

pushing  the  hairs  into  the  interstices  of  the  silk. 
Others  employ,  for  the  same  purpose,  particles  of 
earth,  or  the  raspings  and  gnawed  portions  of  the 
wood  on  which  they  subsist.  Most  of  the  species 
which  retire  under  ground  to  pass  this  inactive 
period  of  their  existence,  form  structures  of  con- 
siderable strength,  in  which  very  little  silk  is  em- 
ployed ;  but  in  nearly  all  cases  the  interior  is  lined 
with  a  fine  tapestry  of  that  material,  by  which  it  is 
rendered  smooth  and  warm.  In  addition  to  this, 
some  use  an  internal  layer  of  varnish,  and  others  a 
soft  substance  resembling  paste,  which  they  apply 
with  their  head  to  the  whole  of  the  inside,  which 
is  thus  coated  over  something  after  the  manner 
of  a  blackbird's  nest.  But  the  cocoons  most  fre- 
quently met  with  are  composed  of  pure  silk,  united 
into  a  pretty  compact  fabric,  which  renders  them 
impervious  to  air  and  moisture.  Of  these,  one 
of  the  handsomest  and  most  familiarly  known  is 
that  of  the  silk- worm.  Such  cocoons  are  formed  by 
a  single  continuous  thread,  not  wound  in  a  circular 
direction,  but  in  a  succession  of  zigzags,  the  vis- 
cosity of  the  thread  when  it  first  issues  from  the 
spinneret  enabling  it  to  adhere  wherever  it  is  ap- 
plied. The  greater  number  of  the  more  closely 
woven  kinds  are  enclosed  in  a  loose  web,  which  is 
first  spun  as  a  kind  of  scaffolding  for  the  caterpillar, 
while  employed  in  rearing  its  interior  an>d  mora 
substantial  structure.  In  a  few  cases,  however,  this 
exterior  envelope  is  a  compact  tissue,  closely  em- 
bracing the  other,  so  that  the  chrysalis  appears  to 


96 

be  enclosed  in  two  separate  cocoons.  An  example 
of  this  may  be  seen  in  the  Yellow  Tussock-moth 
(Dasychira  pudilunda). 

The  perfect  insect  extricates  itself  from  the  pupa- 
case  nearly  in  the  same  way  as  butterflies  ;  but  the 
majority  have  the  additional  task  awaiting  them  of 
making  their  way  through  the  walls  of  the  cocoon. 
The  firm  consistence  of  the  latter,  in  many  instances, 
may  reasonably  be  supposed  to  render  this  a  matter 
of  no  easy  accomplishment  to  creatures  des*;tute  of 
jaws  or  other  instruments  for  eroding  hard  sub- 
tances;    and   unless   the  difficulty   were   provided 
against  by  prospective  wisdom,  the  structures  which 
they  fabricate  with  so  much  skill  and  labour  to 
protect  them  during  their  state  of  repose,  would 
often  prove  their  tombs.     It  is  sometimes  the  moth 
that  is  furnished  with  the  means  of  effecting  her 
own  liberation,  and  in  other  cases  it  is  provided  for 
by  the  caterpillar,  through  some  peculiarity  in  the 
construction  of  the  cocoon.     Of  the  former  descrip- 
tion are  the  puss-moth,  and  several  other  kinds, 
which  are  provided  with  an  acid  secretion,  which 
they  discharge  on  the  end  of  the  cocoon  from  which 
they  desire  egress,  and  by  its  solvent  power  the  com- 
pact wall  soon  loses  its  cohesion  and  gives  way  to 
the  slightest  pressure.    Others  possess  the  means  of 
breaking  the  threads  at  one  end,  employing  for  that 
purpose,  according  to  Reaumur's  opinion,  the  minute 
facets  of  the  eyes,  which  are  the  only  hard  organs 
in  the  head,  after  the  manner  of  a  file.     Generally 
however,  the  texture  is  loosened  by  some  solvent 


INTRODUCTION.  9? 

menstruum  acting  on  the  gum  which  holds  the  fibres 
of  the  silk  together,  and  the  animal  is  able  to  force 
itself  through  without  having  recourse  to  any  other 
means.  It  is  found  that  the  cocoons,  from  which 
the  silk-worm  moth  has  emerged,  can  occasionally 
be  unwound  in  an  unbroken  thread,  but  in  far  the 
greater  number  of  instances  this  is  impossible. 
When  the  caterpillar  provides  for  the  egress  of  the 
moth,  it  generally  does  so  by  making  a  circular 
incision  near  the  one  end,  leaving  only  a  small 
portion  entire  to  act  as  a  hinge,  and  this  the  moth 
easily  pushes  outwards  when  it  desires  to  escape. 
But  sometimes  a  much  more  elaborate  contrivance 
is  resorted  to,  of  which  a  curious  example  is  afforded 
by  the  flask-shaped  cocoon  of  the  Emperor -moth. 
This  has  frequently  been  so  well  described,  that  we 
cannot  expect  to  make  it  better  understood  than  by 
using  the  words  of  a  previous  writer.  "  If  you  examine 
one  of  these  cocoons,  which  are  common  enough  in 
some  places  on  the  pear  tree  Or  the  willow*,  you 
will  perceive  that  it  is  generally  of  a  solid  tissue  of 
layers  of  silk  almost  of  the  texture  of  parchment ; 
but  at  the  narrow  end,  or  that  which  may  be  com- 
pared to  the  neck  of  the  flask,  that  it  is  composed 
of  a  series  of  loosely-attached  longitudinal  threads, 
converging,  like  so  many  bristles,  to  a  blunt  point, 
in  the  middle  of  which  is  a  circular  opening.  It  is 
through  this  opening  that  the  moth  escapes.  The 
silk  of  its  cocoon  is  of  so  strong  a  texture  and  so 

*  In  Scotland  they  are  most  frequently  foumjl  on  heaths 
and  moor-land,  the  larva  subsisting  on  the  heather. 


98  INTRODUCTION. 

closely  gummed,  that  had  both  ends  been  similarly 
closed,  its  egress  would  have  been  impracticable ; 
it  finds,  however,  no  difficulty  in  forcing  its  way 
through  the  aperture  of  a  sort  of  reversed  funnel, 
formed  of  converging  threads  that  readily  yield  to 
pressure  from  within.  But  an  objection  will  here 
probably  strike  you.  You  will  ask,  Is  not  this 
facility  of  egress  purchased  at  too  dear  a  rate? 
Must  not  a  chrysalis,  in  an  open  cocoon,  be  exposed 
to  the  attacks  of  those  ichneumons  of  which  you 
have  said  so  much,  and  of  numerous  other  enemies, 
which  will  find  admittance  through  this  vaunted 
door  ?  Our  caterpillar  would  seem  to  have  foreseen 
your  dilemma;  at  least,  under  heavenly  guidance, 
she  has  guarded  against  the  danger  as  effectually  as  if 
she  had.  If  you  cut  open  the  cocoon  longitudinally, 
you  will  see  that  within  the  exterior  funnel-shaped 
end,  at  some  distance,  she  has  framed  a  second  funnel, 
composed  of  a  similar  circular  series  of  stiff  threads, 
which,  proceeding  from  the  sides  of  the  cocoon,  con- 
verge also  to  a  point,  and  form  a  sort  of  cone  exactly 
like  the  closed  peristome  of  a  moss;  or,  to  use  a 
more  humble  though  not  less  apt  illustration,  like 
the  wires  of  certain  mouse-traps.  In  this  dome  not 
the  slightest  opening  is  left,  and  from  its  arched 
structure,  it  is  impenetrable  to  the  most  violent 
efforts  of  any  marauders  from  without;  whilst  it 
yields  to  the  slightest  pressure  from  within,  and 
allows  the  egress  of  the  moth  with  the  utmost 
facility.  When  she  has  passed  through  it,  tne 
elastic  threads  resume  their  former  position,  and 


INTRODUCTION.  99 

the  empty  cocoon  presents  just  the  same  appearance 
as  one  still  inhabited.  Rosel  relates,  with  amusing 
naivete,  how  this  circumstance  puzzled  him  the  first 
time  he  witnessed  it ;  he  could  scarcely  help  think- 
ing that  there  was  something  supernatural  in  the 
appearance  of  one  of  these  fine  moths  in  a  box  in 
which  he  had  put  a  cocoon  of  this  kind,  but  in 
which  he  could  not  discover  the  slightest  appearance 
of  any  insect  having  escaped  from  it,  until  he  slit  it 
longitudinally.  But  from  an  observation  of  Meinec  - 
ken,  it  appears  that  these  converging  threads  serve 
a  double  purpose ;  being  necessary  to  compress  the 
abdomen  of  the  moth  as  it  emerges  from  the  cocoon, 
which  forces  the  fluid  to  enter  the  nervures  of  the 
wings,  and  give  them  their  proper  expansion.  For 
he  found,  that  when  the  pupa  is  taken  out  of  the 
cocoon,  the  moth  is  disclosed  at  the  proper  time, 
but  remains  always  crippled  in  its  wings,  which 
never  expand  properly,  unless  the  abdomen  be  com- 
pressed with  the  finger  and  thumb,  so  as  to  imitate 
the  natural  operation*." 

Although  moths  may  be  characteristically  said 
to  be  nocturnal  insects,  i*  must  not  be  understood 
that  their  appearance  is  exclusively  confined  to  the 
night,  or  even  the  twilight.  The  Gamma-moth,  the 
majority  of  the  male  Bombyeidae,  and  others  too 
numerous  to  mention,  may  often  be  seen  "  floating 
amid  the  liquid  noon,"  associated  with  the  multitude 
of  other  tribes  wilich  the  sunshine  awakes  to  active 
*  Int.  to  Entom.  iii.  p.  279. 


100  INTRODUCTION. 

life  and  enjoyment.  But  with  far  the  larger  propor- 
tion, night  is  the  chosen  and  appropriate  season  of 
activity.  During  the  day  they  conceal  themselves 
in  clefts  of  trees,  among  tangled  vegetation  and 
under  leaves,  and  seldom  issue  from  their  retreats 
till  the  light  is  beginning  to  fail.  Some  are  on  the 
wing  only  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  night,  others 
are  later  in  appearing,  and  continue  their  flight  till 
the  morning  is  far  advanced.  During  these  ex- 
cursions, many  fall  a  prey  to  bats  and  night-birds 
of  various  kinds,  which  delight  to  capture  their 
insect  food  when  on  the  wing,  seldom  searching  for 
it  when  at  rest,  according  to  the  general  practice  of 
their  day-feeding  companions. 

The  great  beauty  of  many  of  these  insects,  the 
almost  infinite  variety  of  their  colours  and  markings, 
as  well  as  their  curious  habits  and  economy,  have 
long  rendered  this  a  favourite  branch  of  study  with 
the  generality  of  Entomologists.  A  large  proportion 
of  the  works  relating  to  insects,  especially  works 
of  the  illustrated  class,  are  devoted  to  the  elucida- 
tion of  this  tribe ;  and  in  almost  every  collection  of 
indigenous  specimens,  they  occupy  a  prominent 
place.  The  zeal  with  which  the  rarer  and  more 
beautiful  kinds  have  been  sought  after,  and  the 
estimation  in  which  they  have  been  held  when 
obtained,  is  sufficiently  evinced  by  the  high-sound- 
ing names,  by  means  of  which  collectors  have 
attempted  to  express  their  admiration.  Such  de- 
signations as  the  Emperor,  Nonpareil,  Kentish 
Glory,  Richmond  Beauty,  £c.  have  been  applied  to 


INTRODUCTION.  101 

them  almost  as  liberally  as  similar  names  are  used 
by  the  fanciers  of  gigantic  gooseberries  and  peer- 
less tulips,  in  reference  to  the  objects  of  their 
predilection.  In  proportion  to  the  eagerness  shown 
in  the  pursuit,  has  been  the  variety  of  plans  adopted 
to  obtain  specimens  with  the  greatest  ease  and  in 
the  best  possible  condition.  One  of  the  most  satis- 
factory methods  is  to  rear  the  larvae,  when  these 
can  be  obtained,  till  they  change  to  pupa?,  and  the 
moths  are  thus  secured  as  soon  as  they  emerge, 
with  the  beauty  of  their  plumage  unimpared.  Mr. 
Kirby  mentions,  that  the  seasons  in  which  the 
London  amateurs  repair  to  the  woods  in  search  of 
larvae,  are  the  beginning  of  April,  June,  the  begin- 
ning of  July,  and  September ;  and  they  dig  for  the 
pupae  late  in  July,  and  in  January  and  February. 
The  perfect  insects  are  to  be  found  all  the  summer 
and  autumn,  and  certain  kinds  even  in  winter. 
The  attractions  of  a  youthful  female  of  their  own 
species  have  been  already  mentioned  as  affording  a 
likely  means  of  procuring  several  of  the  larger 
Bombycidae,  even  in  places  where  they  might  not 
previously  be  supposed  to  exist.  Advantage  is 
often  taken  of  the  propensity  which  these  insects 
show,  in  common  with  many  other  nocturnal  ani- 
mals, to  repair  to  a  light,  when  they  may  be  readily 
seized  as  they  continue  to  flutter  around  it  in  a 
kind  of  bewildered  state.  As  the  most  effectual 
means  of  employing  a  light,  it  is  recommended  that 
it  should  be  placed  in  a  lanthorn,  and  the  latter 
fixed  on  the  breast  by  means  of  a  belt  round  the 


1 02  INTRODUCTION. 

waist,  both  hands  being  thus  left  at  liberty.  If 
indisposed,  however,  to  make  much  personal  ex- 
ertion, the  Aurelian  may  often  reap  a  rich  harvest 
merely  by  opening  the  windows  of  a  lighted  apart- 
ment, especially  if  his  dwelling  be  in  the  vicinity  of 
woods,  and  securing  such  visitors  as  make  their 
appearance  within.  The  following  extract  shows 
with  what  success  this  plan  has  been  attended. 
"  My  success  in  obtaining  lepidoptera,  to  which  I 
am  particularly  attached,"  says  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Bird, 
"  I  owe  to  the  use  of  a  lamp  to  attract  moths. 
During  the  moonless  nights  of  summer,  I  sit  with 
a  Sinumbra-lamp,  and  perhaps  one  or  two  smaller 
lamps,  placed  on  a  table  close  to  the  window.  The 
moths  speedily  enter  the  room,  if  the  weather  be 
warm.  I  have  had  a  levee  of  more  than  a  hundred 
between  the  hours  of  ten  and  twelve.  In  the  spring, 
too,  and  autumn,  I  have  been  frequently  fortunate, 
though  generally  having  my  patience  sufficiently 
med.  In  March,  for  instance,  I  have  taken  many 
specimens  of  Blston  prodromarius  in  one  evening ; 
Glcea  rubricosa  and  Lytcea  leucographa  have  accom- 
panied them.  In  April  and  May,  Cucullia fissina 
and  Peridcea  serrata  have  visited  me.  "When  No- 
vember has  arrived,  Petasia  cassinea  and  Pcecilo- 
campa  populi  have  crowded  into  my  room.  Of 
course,  at  such  cool  times  of  the  year  the  window 
must  be  kept  shut  till  the  moths  knock  for  admit* 
tance.  If  at  any  time  of  the  year  a  warm  mist 
pervade  the  air,  there  is  almost  a  certainty  of  success. 
But  should  any  one  be  induced  by  this  account 


INTRODUCTION.  103 

to  try  the  lamp,  he  must  make  up  his  mind  to  expe- 
rience more  of  unfavourable  evenings  than  favour- 
able* There  is,  however,  this  advantage  in  my 
sedentary  plan  of  mothing,  that  it  can  be  combined 
with  reading  or  writing ;  and  the  intervals  between 
the  arrivals  need  not  be  lost 

"  Moths  are  extremely  sensible  of  any  keenness  in 
the  air ;  a  north  or  east  wind  is  very  likely  to  keep 
them  from  venturing  abroad.  Different  species 
have  different  hours  of  flight.  Thus,  on  a,  mild  and 
dark  November  evening,  Pcecilocampa  populi  will 
occupy  from  seven  to  ten  o'clock,  after  which  it  will 
make  way  for  Petasia  cassinea,  which  will  fly  till 
one  or  two  in  the  morning,  I  have,  for  experi- 
ment's sake,  sat  up  in  the  summer  till  three  o'clock, 
when  the  whole  heaven  was  bright  with  the  rising 
sun,  and  moths  of  various  kinds  have  never  ceased 
arriving  in  succession  till  that  time.  Some  of  them 
must  come  from  a  considerable  distance.  Scoto- 
phila  porpkyrea,  being  a  heath  moth,  must  come 
nearly  a  mile. 

"  Moths,  like  butterflies,  have  their  peculiar 
modes  of  flight,  by  which  I  can  generally  distin- 
guish them  on  their  entrance,  before  I  can  see  their 
colours.  Some  announce  themselves  by  a  loud 
knock  on  the  floor ;  this  is  the  case  with  Leiocampa 
dictcea.  Some  ascend  instantly  to  the  ceiling,  as 
Agrotis  cortlcea.  Many,  I  might  say  the  majority, 
pass  the  lamp  rapidly ;  and  this  shows  the  compara- 
tive inutility  of  using  the  lamp  out  of  doors,  where 
only  those  that  loiter  about  it  can  be  taken.  Some 


]  04  INTRODUCTION. 

hare  a  soft  and  gentle  flight ;  as,  for  instance,  Cos- 
mia  pyralma,  one  of  my  most  welcome  visitors, 
whose  entrance  I  am  usually  made  aware  of  by  see- 
ing something  drop  down  on  the  table,  as  quick  as 
hail,  but  as  light  as  a  fleece  of  snow ;  whilst,  on  the 
contrary,  the  conceited  vagaries  and  absurd  violence 
of  Clisiocampa  neustria  are  absolutely  amusing; 
and  cratcegi  and  populi  are  nearly  as  bad.  It  is  not 
the  Nocturna  alone  that  come  to  me  in  the  night—- 
many of  what  Mr.  Stephens  calls  the  Semidiuma, 
the  Geometridce^  accompany  them  at  all  hours.  It 
may  likewise  be  worth  while  to  say  a  word  on  my 
method  of  securing  my  prey.  Suppose  that,  either 
with  or  without  a  bag-net,  I  have  imprisoned  a 
moth  under  an  inverted  wine-glass,  I  then  light  a 
small  piece  of  German  tinder,  half  the  size  of  a 
sixpence,  or  less,  and  introduce  it  under  the  edge, 
and  by  means  of  the  smoke  the  insect  is  stupified 
almost  immediately.  It  is  then  wholly  in  my  power, 
though  it  would  quickly  revive  : — I  pierce  it ;  and, 
by  means  of  a  pin  dipped  in  oxalic  acid,  and  thrust 
into  the  body  beneath  the  thorax,  I  prevent  its 
revival,  and  fix  it  on  the  settling  board.  The  Ger- 
man tinder  does  not  injure  the  colour,  as  brimstone 
would,  whilst  it  puts  the  moth  so  completely  in  my 
power  for  a  few  moments,  that  the  specimens  I  thus 
take  and  kill  are  often  as  perfect  and  beautiful  as  if 
I  had  bred  them.  Of  course,  I  use  it  for  insects 
taken  in  the  day,  or  bred,  as  well  as  for  those  cap- 
tured by  the  lamp*."  The  locality  to  which  the 
*  Entomological  Magazine  for  January  1834,  page  39. 


INTRODUCTION.  105 

above  account  refers  is  the  vicinity  of  Reading,  in 
Berkshire.  The  list  given  by  Mr.  Bird  of  the  spe- 
cies taken  in  the  manner  described,  includes  many 
of  the  rarer  and  most  beautiful  kinds  found  in  this 
country. 

Another  method  of  capturing  moths  has  recently 
been  practised  in  the  north  of  England  by  P.  J. 
Selby,Esq.  of  Twizel,  and  has  been  attended  with 
so  much  success,  that  we  have  much  pleasure  in 
being  enabled  to  subjoin  the  following  account  of 
it  as  communicated  by  that  distinguished  natu- 
ralist. "  In  the  course  of  my  entomological  pursuits 
— for  that  fascinating  department  of  Zoology  has 
for  the  last  year  engrossed  a  great  part  of  my  leisure, 
— my  attention  was  first  directed  to  the  mode  I  have 
since  adopted  for  the  capture  of  nocturnal  lepidoptera, 
by  the  extraordinary  success  that  I  understood  had 
attended  the  exposure  of  a  sugar-cask,  recently 
emptied,  in  a  favourable  situation ;  and  by  means 
of  which  attraction  a  great  variety  of  moths,  some 
of  them  of  very  rare  occurrence,  had  been  secured. 
As  sugar  casks  are  not  easily  procured  in  this 
country,  I  bethought  myself  of  some  succedaneum, 
and  it  presently  struck  me  that  a  beehive,  or  as  it  is 
generally  called  here,  a  skep,  recently  emptied  of 
its  honey,  or  well  anointed  with  the  same,  might 
answer  the  purpose,  as  it  was  evident  the  insects 
were  attracted  by  the  saccharine  matter  and  smell. 
I  accordingly  had  one  prepared,  and  the  very  first 
evening  was  convinced  that  it  would  prove  a  very 
efficient  trap,  as  several  moths  of  different  species 


106  INTRODUCTION. 

were  seen  and  taken  upon  it.  Unfortunately,  the 
best  part  of  the  season  was  nearly  over  hefore  I 
commenced  operations,  as  it  was  not  exposed  till 
after  the  middle  of  August ;  but  from  the  success  I 
have  had  up  to  the  present  time,  I  am  convinced  it 
is  one  of  the  most  effectual  modes  of  obtaining  the 
noctuidae,  and  that  many  which  would  otherwise 
escape  observation  are  thus  to  be  obtained.  Indeed, 
some  of  those  I  have  already  procured,  I  had  never 
before  met  with  in  this  district ;  and  I  dare  say,  but 
for  this  attractive  trap,  they  would  have  remained 
long  undiscovered,  as  some  of  them  are  in  their 
force  or  full  flight  at  a  much  later  period  than  we 
are  generally  accustomed  to  look  after  moths.  I 
anticipate  a  rich  harvest  during  the  ensuing  spring 
and  summer,  not  only  of  the  noctuidae,  but  also  of 
the  other  large  moths ;  the  Geometridas  and  smaller 
species  I  know  come  to  it,  as  some  of  them  have 
already  been  taken  upon  it.  By  this  mode  also, 
many  interesting  particulars  relating  to  their  natural 
history  are  likely  to  become  known  to  us,  such  as 
the  period  of  duration  of  different  species,  the  pro- 
portion of  males  and  females,  &c.  I  find  that  in 
the  early  part  of  the  season  their  duration  is  much 
shorter  than  at  a  later ;  in  many  of  those  occurring 
in  August  and  September,  it  seldom  exceeded  two 
or  three  weeks ;  whereas  such  as  did  not  appear  till 
towards  the  end  of  October  have  continued  till  the 
present  period,  that  is,  nearly  three  months;  as 
I  have  taken  every  mild  evening  specimens  of 
Glcea  Satellitia  up  to  the  26th  of  January,  and 


INTRODUCTION.  107 

Calocampa  exoleta  as  late  as  the  7th  of  the  same 
month. 

"  The  skep  should  he  well  anointed  on  the  exterior 
with  honey  (the  refiise  will  answer  perfectly  well), 
and  should  he  supported  on  a  forked  stake  ahout  four 
feet  from  the  ground,  or  so  that, the  insects  can  he 
easily  got  at  and  enclosed  in  the  flappers  as  they 
alight  and  settle  upon  it.  In  this  way  they  may  he 
taken  in  as  fine  and  perfect  condition  as  if  they 
had  heen  hred  from  the  larvaa  within  doors.  I 
generally  select  a  sheltered  situation  and  near  to 
wood;  of  late  I  have  had  it  near  a  service  tree, 
whose  herries  I  had  previously  observed  attracted 
the  moths. 

"  The  following  are  a  few  of  the  species  taken : — 
Agrotis  suflusa,  Pyrophila  Tragopogonis,  Pyrophila 
tetra,  Glsea  Yaccinii,  Gla3a  spadicea,  Apamea  nic- 
titans,  Polia  occulta,  Polia  Chi,  Xanthia  fulvago, 
Xanthia  gilvago,  Phlogophora  meticulosa,  several 
species  of  Hadena,  Caradrina  glareosa,"  &c.  &c. 


HESPERID7E. 


ALTHOUGH  the  HESPERID^E  are  usually  classed  with 
the  diurnal  lepidoptera,  they  recede  in  many  im- 
portant characters  from  that  group,  and  become 
considerably  assimilated,  both  in  structure  and 
habits,  to  the  crepuscular  and  nocturnal  kinds,  and 
are  therefore  not  improperly  regarded  as  forming 
the  connecting  link  between  these  two  tribes.  Like 
butterflies,  they  have  the  antennae  strongly  clubbed 
at  the  summit  (where  they  are  generally  furnished 
with  a  hook),  and  the  anterior  wings  are  directed 
upwards  in  repose  but  diverge  from  each  other, 
while  the  under  pair  are  horizontal,  and  the  hinder 
tibiae  furnished  with  two  pair  of  spurs ;  attributes 
which  are  common  to  them  with  moths  and  hawk- 
moths.  The  season  of  their  flight  is  most  commonly 
towards  the  evening,  which  led  Fabricius  to  dis- 
tinguish them  by  a  generic  name  bearing  reference 
to  that  circumstance.  But  they  are  likewise  ob- 
served on  the  wing  during  the  whole  day,  and  their 
mode  of  flight,  which  is  only  for  a  short  distance  at 
a  time,  and  performed  with  frequent  and  sudden 
jerks,  has  caused  them  to  be  well  known  in  this 
country  by  the  name  of  Skippers.  They  are  insects 


HESPERID.E.  109 

below  the  middle  size,  and  no  way  distinguished 
for  beauty  of  colouring  or  variety  of  markings. 
In  these  respects,  indeed,  such  a  general  similarity 
prevails,  that  in  several  instances  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty is  experienced  in  determining  the  species,  and 
much  complexity  and  confusion  is  consequently  to 
be  found  in  their  synonymy.  They  formed  a  part 
of  the  fifth  great  section  into  which  Linne  divided 
the  diurnal  lepidoptera,  and  were  distinguished  in 
his  system  by  the  appellation  of  Plebeii  Urbicolce. 
The  head  and  thorax  are  very  large  and  robust,  and 
the  wings  are  thick  and  strong.  The  caterpillars 
of  many  of  the  species  are  imperfectly  known. 
Some  of  them  protect  themselves  by  rolling  together 
the  leaves  on  which  they  feed,  in  a  manner  similar 
to  that  practised  by  the  leaf-rolling  caterpillars  of 
certain  moths.  The  chrysalides  are  without  any 
eminence  except  at  the  head,  which  is  notched  or 
acuminated,  and  they  are  enclosed  in  a  web  of  loose 
texture. 


110 


GRIZZLED  SKIPPER. 

Thymele  Alveolus. 
PLATE  I.   Fig.  1. 

Pap.  Alveolus,  Hubner. — Pap.  Malvse,  Letvin^  PI.  46,  figs.  8, 9. 
— Hesperia  Malvse,  Jermyn.  Id  Edition,  154. — The  Grizzled 

Butterfly,   Wilkes The  Grizzle  Butterfly,  Harris"1  Aurcl. 

PI.  32 — Thymele  Alveolus,  Fabr.  Steph. 

THYMELE  is  known  by  having  antennae  slightly 
elongate,  the  joints  upwards  of  thirty  in  number, 
with  the  club  curved,  but  not  terminating  in  ai 
hook.  The  palpi  are  rather  longer  than  the  head, 
and  thickly  clothed  with  hair;  the  anterior  wings 
rather  short,  and  rounded  on  the  hinder  edge. 

The  Grizzled  Skipper  is  a  small  species,  seldom  \ 
much  exceeding  an  inch  in  the  expansion  of  the 
wings.  The  ground  colour  of  the  surface  is  brownish- 
black,  the  anterior  wings  from  before  the  middle  to  i 
the  apex  marked  with  straw-coloured  spots,  most  of  i 
them  of  a  quadrangular  shape ;  the  fringe  the  same 
colour  as  the  spots,  and  barred  with  brownish-black. 
The  under  wings  have  some  straw-coloured  spots 
towards  the  middle  anteriorly,  and  an  irregular 
macular  band  not  far  from  the  hinder  margin ;  th* 


GRIZZLED  SKIPPER.  Ill 

latter  having  the  whitish  fringe  interrupted  with 
narrow  dusky  spots.    The  under  side  is  grey  tinged 
with  green,  with  spots  nearly  corresponding  to  those 
on  the  surface,  but  many  of  them  somewhat  en 
larged. 

The  Pap.  Fritillum  of  Lewin  and  some  other 
writers,  according  to  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Stephens, 
is  merely  a  variety  of  the  above.  It  has  an  oblong 
whitish  mark  towards  the  middle  of  the  upper 
wings  not  far  from  the  anterior  margin,  and  the 
other  light-coloured  spots  are  larger  and  of  a  more 
oblong  shape  than  in  the  form  already  described. 
It  has  been  occasionally  regarded  as  a  distinct 
species,  and  is  thought  to  be  synonymous  with 
Hesperia  Lavateras  of  Fabricius. 

This  insect  is  found  in  some  plenty  in  many 
parts  of  England,  and  occasionally  in  the  south  of 
Scotland.  It  appears  about  the  end  of  May.  Woods 
and  meadows  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London. 
"  Hartley  Wood,  Essex,"  Miss  Jermyn.  "  Fre- 
quent near  Newcastle,"  G.  Wailes.  Esq.  "  Occa- 
sionally noticed  near  Durham/'  A'jr.  Andrews. 


THE  DINGY  SKIPPER. 

Thymde  Tages. 
PLATE  I.    Fig.  2. 

Pap.  Tages,  Linn. ;  Letuin,  PL  54,  figs.  3  and  4 Hesperia 

Tages,  Leach,  Jermyn — The  Dingy  Skipper,  Harris''  Auret, 
PI.  34 — Thymele  Tagee,  Siepk. 

THIS  species  is  generally  a  good  deal  larger  than 
the  preceding ;  the  colour  of  the  surface  rather  dark 
brown  faintly  clouded  with  ash-grey,  with  a  few 
scattered  white  points,  and  a  continuous  series  along 
the  margin  of  all  the  wings.  The  fringe  is  greyish- 
brown,  indistinctly  denticulated ;  the  under  side 
tawny-grey,  with  ill-defined  white  spots,  especially 
towards  the  hinder  side  of  the  inferior  wings.  The 
antenna?  are  black,  ringed  with  grey. 

The  caterpillar  is  bright  green,  with  a  yellow 
stripe  dotted  with  black  along  the  back,  and  others 
of  a  similar  description  on  the  sides ;  the  head 
brown.  It  is  said  to  feed  on  the  Eryngium  cam- 
pestre  and  birds'-foot  trefoil  (Lotus  comiculatus), 
the  latter  being  probably  its  most  ordinary  food,  as 
the  insect  is  frequently  found  in  districts  where  the 


THE  DINGY  SKIPPER.  113 

former  plant  does  not  grow.  The  butterfly  first 
appears  in  May,  and  occurs  not  unfrequently  on 
dry  heaths,  commons,  &c.  Near  London,  at  Dart- 
moor in  Devonshire,  in  Suffolk,  and  Norfolk,  it  has 
been  observed  in  plenty ;  as  well  as  in  more  north- 
ern localities,  particularly  heaths  in  the  vicinity  of 
Newcastle  and  YorK.  We  have  likewise  seen  ex- 
amples which  were  taken  in  the  south  of  Scotland ; 
and  it  occurred  near  Tain  and  Cromarty,  in  June 
1 834,  in  considerable  abundance :  so  that  its  range 
in  Britain,  from  north  to  soutn,  is  widely  extended. 


114 


CHEQUERED  SKIPPER 

PampW.a,  Panisctts. 
PLATE  I.    Pi?  3. 

Hesperia  Paniscus,  Fair Pap.  Paniscus,  Don.  viii.  PI.  254, 

fig.  1 — Pap.  Brontes,  Hubner Chequered  Skipper,   Ha~ 

worth,  Jermyn. — Pamphila  Paniscus,  Steph. 

IN  PAMPHILA  the  palpi  are  short  and  compressed, 
covered  with  scales  and  hairs ;  the  antennae  rather 
short,  the  joints  not  amounting  to  thirty ;  the  club 
straight,  abrupt,  and  spindle-shaped,  without  a  hook 
at  the  extremity  in  P.  Paniscus  and  Linea,  but 
having  an  acute  hook  in  P.  Sylvanus  and  Comma. 
The  anterior  wings  are  somewhat  longer  than  in  the 
preceding  genus,  and  the  hinder  pair  have  a  slight 
projection  at  the  anal  angle,  like  a  rudimentary 
tail.  The  head  and  thorax  are  equally  robust  as  in 
Thymele,  or  rather  more  so ;  and  the  males  of  some 
of  the  species  are  distinguished  by  having  an  oblique 
abbreviated  black  line  on  the  disk  of  the  anterior 
wings. 

The  Chequered  Skipper  expands  about  an  inch 
and  two  or  three  lines.  The  surface  is  brownish- 
black,  marked  with  numerous  bright  fulvous  spots. 


CHEQUERED  SKIPPER.  115 

those  on  the  anterior  wings  consisting  of  a  large 
patch  before  the  middle,  then  an  irregular  curved 
band  intersected  by  the  black  nervures,  and  lastly, 
a  faint  row  of  tawny  dots  parallel  with  the  hinder 
margin.  On  each  of  the  secondary  wings  are  three 
discoidal  spots,  one  of  them  larger  than  the  others, 
and  a  posterior  band  of  small  dots.  The  fringe  of 
all  the  wings  is  tawny  at  the  tip.  The  under  side 
is  yellow,  inclining  to  grey,  the  upper  wings  with 
several  marks,  and  the  extremity  of  the  nervures 
black ;  the  under  pair  with  seven  rounded  yellowish- 
white  spots,  and  a  posterior  macular  band  of  the 
same  colour.  Antennae  pale  beneath,  the  tip  of 
the  club  reddish  yellow. 

The  caterpillar,  which  feeds  on  the  Greater  Plan- 
tain, is  described  as  being  dark-brown  on  the  back, 
with  the  sides  lighter,  and  ornamented  with  two 
longitudinal  yellow  stripes;  the  head  black,  and 
the  segment  behind  it  with  an  orange-coloured 
band. 

This  prettily  marked  insect  is  regarded  as  very 
local,  but  its  localities  are  pretty  widely  scattered, 
and  many  of  them  afford  it  in  tolerable  plenty.  It 
frequents  meadows  and  damp  woods,  usually  ap- 
pearing in  the  end  of  May  and  June.  It  is  found 
in  Devonshire,  near  Bedford,  in  Northamptonshire, 
Oxford,  &c. 


116 


SMALL  SKIPPER. 
Pampnita  Linea* 

PLATE  I.   Fig.  4. 

Heeperia  Linea,  Fair. — Pap.  Linea,  Don.  vii.  236,  fig.  2,  (?.— 
Pap.  Thaumas,  Lewin,  PI.  45,  figs.  5,  7 The  Small  Skip- 
per, Harris*  Aurel.  PI.  42. — Pamphila  Linea,  Stepli* 

RATHER  of  smaller  size  than  the  following,  to  which 
in  general  appearance  it  bears  a  good  deal  of  resem- 
blance. The  surface  of  the  wings  is  fulvous,  rather 
glossy,  without  spots;  the  hinder  margin  and  the 
nervures  black.  The  under  side  of  the  primary 
wings  is  paler  than  the  surface,  shading  into  grey 
at  the  tip  and  brown  at  the  base  ;  of  the  secondary 
wings,  tawny  ash-grey,  the  anal  angle  with  a  fulvous 
patch.  The  fringe  is  pale,  and  the  antennas  blackish, 
ringed  with  pale  yellow.  The  male  is  distinguished 
by  having  a  conspicuous  black  oblique  line  on  the 
disk  of  each  of  the  anterior  wings. 

The  caterpillar,  according  to  Hubner,  is  deep 
green  with  a  dark  line  along  the  back,  and  two 
whitish  lines  on  the  sides  margined  with  black.  It 
feeds  on  the  mountain  hair-grass  (Aira  montana) 


SMALL  SKIPPER.  J  1 7 

and  other  graminwe.  The  chrysalis  is  of  a  yel- 
lowish-green colour.  The  fly  appears  in  July,  and 
is  frequent  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  both  in 
England  and  Scotland. 


LARGE  SKIPPER. 

Pampliila  SyivaniAS. 
PLATE  II.    Fig.  1. 

Hesperia  Sylvanus,  Fabr.  —  Pap.  Sylvanus,  Lewin,  PI.  46, 
figs.  1—3  ;  Don.  viii.  PI.  254,  fig.  2  <J — The  Large  Skipper, 
Harris'1  Aurel.  PI.  42,  f.  h — Pamphila  Sylvanus,  Steph. 

EXPANSION  of  the  wings  from  fourteen  to  sixteen 
lines ;  the  colour  fulvous,  with  the  nervures  and  the 
hinder  extremity  of  the  wings  brown,  the  latter 
colour  deepening  into  a  blackish  line  round  the 
outer  edge.  The  anterior  wings  have  a  few  small 
quadrate  fulvous  spots  in  the  dusky  ground  towards 
the  tip,  and  the  hinder  pair  very  indistinct  fulvous 
spots  or  clouds  posteriorly,  the  colour  sometimes 
diffused  over  a  considerable  portion  of  the  disk. 
On  the  under  side  the  upper  wings  are  yellow, 
inclining  to  green  at  the  tip,  and  dusky  black  at  the 
base ;  the  superficial  spots  towards  the  apex  some- 
times appearing,  but  very  faintly  marked.  The 
hinder  wings  are  greenish-yellow,  with  a  curved 
series  of  pale  quadrate  spots,  emarginate  posteriorly, 


1 18  LARGE  SKIPPER. 

varying  in  size  and  colour,  and  even  at  times  in 
their  relative  situation.  The  fringe  is  fulvous,  the 
antennas  with  the  club  thick  and  terminating  in  an 
acute  curved  point.  As  in  P.  linea,  the  male  has 
an  oblique  black  streak  on  each  of  the  upper  wings, 
but  it  is  larger  than  in  that  species. 

The  most  common  of  the  Skippers,  occurring  in 
tolerable  plenty  apparently  throughout  Britain  on 
the  borders  of  woods,  moorlands.  &c.,  from  May  to 
August. 


110 


PEARL  SKIPPER. 

Pimvhila  Ckvima. 
PLATE  II.    F-ff.  2. 

Pap. Comma, Linn.;  Lewin, PL 45, fig.  1,2;  Don.'ix.  PI. 295?. 
—Hesperia  Comma,  Fabr — The  Pearl  Skipper,  Harris — 
Silver-spotted  Skipper,  Jermyn — Pamphila  Comma,  Steph. 

ABOUT  the  size  of  the  preceding,  sometimes  rather 
less :  the  male  fulvous  above,  more  or  less  suffused 
with  brown  towards  the  hinder  margin  of  the  wings, 
the  disk  of  the  primary  pair  with  a  linear  black 
mark,  having  silvery  scales  in  the  centre,  and  be- 
yond this,  towards  the  apex,  a  series  of  quadrate 
whitish  spots  forming  an  irregular  semicircle :  the 
hinder  wings  with  irregular  fulvous  spots  posteriorly, 
and  the  disk  more  or  less  suffused  with  fulvous. 
Beneath,  the  anterior  wings  are  greenish-grey,  the 
centre  pale  yellow,  the  apex  with  a  series  of  white 
spots,  corresponding  in  their  position  to  those  on 
the  surface;  the  hinder  wings  greenish-grey,  with 
nine  white  quadrangular  spots,  three  of  them 
grouped  towards  the  base,  the  others  forming  ,a 
curved  transverse  band.  The  fringe  of  all  the 
wings  is  pale,  spotted  with  brown  at  the  base  on 


120  PEARL  SKIPPER. 

the  under  side.  The  female  is  usually  larger  than 
the  male,  and  destitute  of  the  discoidal  black  line 
which  is  invariably  a  sexual  distinction.  In  this 
sex  also  the  spots  are  whiter,  and  in  the  anterior 
wings  they  form  an  irregular  band  extending  across 
the  surface ;  while  in  the  hinder  pair  they  are  edged 
with  black  and  somewhat  notched  behind. 

The  caterpillar  is  obscure  green  mixed  with  rust 
red,  and  having  a  series  of  black  dots  on  the  back 
and  sides.  The  head  and  neck  are  black,  the  latter 
with  a  white  ring.  On  the  continent  it  is  said  to 
feed  on  the  Coronilla  varia,  but  in  this  country 
probably  has  recourse  to  diadelphous  plants  or 


By  no  means  so  generally  distributed  as  the  pre- 
ceding, but  found  in  some  plenty  in  certain  places. 
Miss  Jermyn  mentions  chalky  soils  near  Lewes  in 
Sussex,  as  having  afforded  it  plentifully;  it  like- 
wise occurs  near  Dover,  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
London,  in  Wiltshire,  in  Roxburgh  and  Dumfries- 
shire, &c. 

Besides  the  above  species  of  Hesperidae,  it  is  now 
ascertained  that  the  Pamphila  Actceon  has  occa- 
sionally been  found  in  the  south  of  England.  Not 
having  seen  examples  of  this  insect,  we  subjoin 
Godart's  account  of  it ;  from  the  localities  he  cites 
for  it  in  France,  it  seems  no  way  improbable  that 
it  should  inhabit  some  parts  of  Britain. 


v   IVEESITY 

£A'  ' 

PAMPHILA  ACTION. 

Cwtif  B.  E.  x.  PI.  442. 

Is  nearly  intermediate  between  P.  Linea  and  P. 
Sylvanus ;  the  surface  fulvous-brown,  with  a  longi- 
tudinal ray,  and  a  transverse  arch  of  seven  small 
spots  of  a  lighter  yellow  towards  the  anterior  edge 
of  the  upper  wings.  In  the  middle  each  of  these 
wings  is  marked  with  a  black  oblique  line  in  the 
male ;  and  on  each  of  the  inferior  wings  of  the 
female  there  is  a  mark  similar  to  that  just  men- 
tioned. The  primary  wings  are  fulvous  beneath  in 
both  sexes,  with  the  apex  greyish-green,  and  pre- 
ceded by  an  arch  of  small  pale  spots,  which  are 
merely  the  repetition  of  those  on  the  surface.  The 
body  is  reddish  on  the  back,  and  whitish  beneath ; 
the  antennaa  blackish  and  ringed  with  yellow,  hav- 
ing the  club  ferruginous  at  the  tip. 

"  Found  in  plenty  at  Lulworth;  and  I  have 
heard  that  it  has  been  found  also  at  the  Burning 
Cliff,  near  Weymouth."  J.  C.  Dale,  Esq.  in  Lou- 
don's  Mag. 


We  now  come  to  the  second  great  primary 
division  of  the  Lepidopterous  order,  the  CREPUSCU- 
LARIA  of  Latreille,  characterised  by  the  prismatic 


1 22  CREPUSCULA  III  A. 

form  of  the  antennae,  and  other  distinctive  marks 
already  described  in  our  introductory  observations 
It  contains  species  of  very  dissimilar  aspect  and 
economy,  all  of  which,  however,  were  included  by 
Linnaeus  and  his  followers  in  the  genus  Sphinx. 
Fabricius  distributed  them  in  three  genera,  Sphinx, 
Sesia,  and  Zygsena ;  names  which  have  since  been 
employed  to  designate  family  groups.  The  indige- 
nous species  have  recently  been  divided  into  four 
families,  which  may  easily  be  determined  by  the 
following  brief  external  characters: — SPHINGID^, 
with  the  palpi  short,  and  the  abdomen  without  a 
terminal  tuft ;  SESIID.E,  with  the  palpi  short,  and 
the  abdomen  furnished  with  a  tuft  at  the  extremity ; 
^GERIID^E,  with  the  palpi  elongate,  and  the  wings 
most  frequently  hyaline ;  ZYGJENID^E,  having  the 
palpi  likewise  elongated,  and  the  wings  clothed 
with  scales*.  The  latter  family  contains  only  two 
British  genera,  Ino  and  Anthrocera.  The  former 
of  these  corresponds  to  the  Fabrician  genus  Procris : 
it  has  antennae  very  slightly  curved,  and  thickening 
gradually  from  the  base  nearly  to  the  apex ;  those 
of  the  male  with  two  rows  of  pectinations  on  the 
inner  side,  but  they  are  merely  serrated  in  the 
female;  the  apex  without  a  tuft  of  hairs.  The 
palpi  do  not  extend  beyond  the  head,  and  are  rather 
thickly  clothed  with  hairs.  The  species  are  not 
numerous,  and  only  one  of  them  inhabits  this 
country ;  it  is  named 

*  Stephens'  Illus.  Haustettaia,  i.  p.  104. 


123 


THE  GREEN  FORESTER. 

Ino  Statices. 
PLATE  II.   Fig.  3. 

Sphinx   Statices,   Linn. ;  Don.  vi.    PI.  204,  fig.  2 — Procria 
Statices,  Fair. — Atychia  Statices,  Ochsen. — La  Turquoise, 

Geofroy Green    Forester,   Harris"1  Aurel.    PI.  34. — Ino 

Statices,  Leach;  StepTi.  ;  Curtis'  B.  E.  ix.  PI.  396. 

THE  extent  of  the  wings  is  from  twelve  to  sixteen 
lines ;  the  upper  pair,  as  well  as  the  head,  thorax, 
and  stalk  of  the  antennae,  of  a  beautiful  golden-  > 
green  with  a  silky  gloss,  inclining  in  certain  places 
to  blue.  Both  sides  of  the  under  wings,  and  the 
under  side  of  the  superior  pair  are  brown,  which  is 
likewise  the  colour  of  the  fringe.  The  body  beneath 
is  glossy  green,  rather  deeply  tinged  with  blue ;  the 
trunk  and  pectinations  of  the  antennas  black. 

The  caterpillar  tapers  at  both  ends,  and  the  body 
is  somewhat  depressed :  the  colour  green,  with  the 
head  and  anterior  legs  black,  the  other  legs  whitish ; 
two  rows  of  black  spots  run  along  the  back,  and  on 
each  side  there  is  a  series  of  red  dots.  It  feeds  on 
the  Cardamine  prat&nsis,  common  dock,  &c.  The 
insect  appears  in  June,  and  is  of  frequent  occurrence 


124  THE  GREEN  FORESTER. 

in  England,  although  it  seems  to  be  somewhat  local. 
Neighbourhood  of  London,  Coombe  and  Darenth 
woods :  "  Neighbourhood  of  Durham,  plentiful  in 
some  places,"  Mr.  Andrews.  Near  Newcastle, 
York,  &c.  It  probably  does  not  extend  much 
further  northwards  than  the  places  last  mentioned. 


SIX-SPOTTED  BURNET-MOTH. 

Anthrocera  Filipendulce. 

PLATE  II.   Fig.  4. 

Sphinx  Filipendulse,  Linn.  ;  Don.  i.  PI.  6 Zygaena  Filipen- 

dulae,   Fdbr.  ;   Haworth Burnet   Moth,    Wilkes ;    Harris* 

Aurd.  PI.  1.— Anthrocera  Filipendulae,  Scopoli ;  Stepk. 

IN  the  present  genus  the  antennas  are  simple  in  the 
two  sexes,  of  great  length,  slender  at  the  base,  and 
thickening  at  the  top  into  a  spindle-shaped  club 
which  is  considerably  curved.  The  palpi  are  longer 
than  in  Ino,  projecting  a  little  from  the  head,  and 
terminating  in  a  point,  the  joints  thickly  clothed 
with  hair.  The  species  are  pretty  numerous,  even 
although  it  be  admitted  as  probable  that  several 
kinds  regarded  as  distinct  are  mere  varieties.  All 
of  them  are  remarkable  for  the  brilliancy  of  their 
colours,  chiefly  consisting  of  bluish  black  and  bright 
red,  the  latter  generally  occupying  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  inferior  wings  and  forming  spots  on  the 


SIX-SPOTTED  BUR>-ET-MOTII.  125 

upper  pair.  They  are  gregarious  in  their  habits 
and  sluggish  and  inactive  in.  their  movements,  and 
may  sometimes  he  found  in  dull  weather  clinging 
to  plants  in  considerable  numbers,  and  remaining 
quite  motionless  for  a  length  of  time.  The  most 
common  species  to  be  met  with  in  this  country  is 
that  mentioned  above.  It  measures  from  fifteen 
to  eighteen  lines  across  the  wings ;  the  upper  pair 
are  of  a  fine  greenish-black  with  a  high  degree  of 
lustre,  each  of  them  with  six  red  spots,  arranged 
in  pairs,  two  at  the  base  (sometimes  united  or 
separated  merely  by  the  intersecting  nervure),  two 
in  the  middle  placed  obliquely,  and  two  towards 
the  apex  nearly  parallel  with  the  last.  The  under 
wings  are  carmine-red  on  both  sides,  the  hinder 
margin  with  a  narrow  blue-black  border.  The  body 
is  velvet-black  with  a  blue  or  greenish  gloss ;  the 
antennae  of  a  similar  hue. 

The  caterpillar  is  yellow,  with  three  rows  of 
black  spots  along  the  back,  and  others  on  the  sides ; 
the  head  very  small  and  black.  It  feeds  on  grasses 
and  a  variety  of  common  plants,  such  as  Speed- 
well, (Veronica),  Mouse-ear  hawkweed,  Dandelion, 
Spirasa  filipendula,  &c. ;  from  the  latter  it  has  ob- 
tained its  specific  name. 

The  perfect  insect  appears  about  the  end  of  June 
and  continues  till  the  end  of  August.  It  is  plenti- 
ful in  most  parts  of  England,  and  likewise  occurs 
abundantly  in  certain  parts  of  Scotland,  but  in  that 
country  it  is  somewhat  local.  In  the  vicinity  of 
Edinburgh,  it  is  found  on  the  shores  at  Cramond, 


126  SIX-SPOTTED  BURIfET-MOTH. 

and  in  profusion  on  the  northern  shores  of  the  Firth 
of  Forth,  between  Pettycur  and  Burntisland.  "  In 
profusion  on  Guillon  Links — equally  plentiful  on 
Southerness  Point  on  the  coast  of  Galway,  where 
the  caterpillar  feeds  on  the  Ononis  arvensis  or  Rest- 
harrow." — Sir  W.  Jardine.  Bart. 


FIVE-SPOTTED  BURNET-MOTH. 

Anthrocera  Lotl. 
PLATE  IL   Fig.  5. 

Zygaena  Loti,  Fabr — Sphinx  Lonicerae,  Esper  and  Hvbner — 
Zygene  du  Chevrefeuille,  Godart. 

LESS  than  the  preceding ;  the  anterior  wings  blue- 
black,  with  less  of  the  green  reflection,  each  of  them 
with  five  red  spots,  which  are  as  distinctly  marked 
on  the  under  side  as  on  the  upper :  the  two  basal 
spots  oblong,  the  others  rounded.  The  hinder  wings 
bright  red,  with  a  rather  wide  black-blue  border 
somewhat  sinuated  on  its  inner  edge;  in  other 
respects  not  differing  from  Anth.  Filipendulce. 

The  caterpillar  is  green,  with  two  longitudinal 
macular  bands  on  each  side,  the  lower  one  nar- 
rowest; and  a  yellow  dot  on  each  segment  be- 
tween these  bands.  It  feeds  on  the  honeysuckle, 
bird's-foot,  trefoil,  and  many  other  plants.  The 
perfect  insect  is  found  occasionally  in  many  parts  of 
Britain. 


Of    THE 

tjK.IV-EB8.IJ? 


127 


EYED  HAWK-MOTH. 

Smerinthus  Ocellatus. 
PLATE  III.  Fitf.  1. 

Smer.  Ocellatus,  Latreille  ;  Stephens. — Sphinx  Ocellata,  Linn. ; 

Don.  viii.  PI.  269. — Sphinx   Semipavo,  De  Geer Sphinx 

Salicis,  Hubner — Eyed  Hawk-moth,  Harris1  Aurel.  PI.  5. 
Curtis'  B.  E.  xi.  PI.  482. 

THE  Smerinthi  have  frequently  been  confounded 
with  the  Sphinges,  but  they  present  a  sufficient 
number  of  distinctive  marks  to  entitle  them  to  be 
regarded  as  a  separate  generic  group.  Of  these 
the  most  important  are  the  shortness  of  the  pro- 
boscis, which  is  scarcely  perceptible,  the  angulated 
or  dentated  margin  of  the  anterior  wings,  and  the 
serrated  antennae.  The  species  are  not  numerous ; 
most  of  them  are  of  sombre  colours ;  and  they  are 
dull  inactive  insects,  seldom  appearing  on  the  wing, 
and  when  they  do  so,  displaying  none  of  the 
vivacity  and  rapid  movements  of  the  kinds  >to 
which,  in  other  respects,  they  bear  a  close  affinity. 
The  shortness  of  their  trunk  renders  them  incapable 
of  feeding  while  on  the  wing  like  the  Humming- 
bird Hawk-moth;  the  little  food  which  they  re- 
quire during  their  brief  existence,  is  therefore 


1*28  EYED  HAWK-MOTH. 

obtained  by  settling  on  flowers.  The  body  of  the 
larva  is  granulated  or  covered  with  small  prominent 
points,  and  the  anal  segment  bears  a  pointed  horn 
which  is  almost  straight.  The  contour  of  the  head 
forms  a  curvilinear  triangle,  and  is  not  rounded  as 
in  the  true  Sphinx.  Perhaps  the  most  beautiful 
of  the  three  species  inhabiting  Britain  is  that 
named  the  Eyed  Hawk-moth.  The  male  expands 
about  two  inches  and  a-half,  and  the  female  often 
exceeds  these  dimensions  by  an  inch.  The  anterior 
wings,  which  are  very  acute  at  the  apex,  are  grey, 
tinged  with  rose-colour,  and  variegated  with  brown 
and  dusky  clouds  and  waved  streaks ;  the  centre  with 
a  pale  curved  transverse  streak.  The  posterior  wings 
are  carmine-red,  with  the  anterior  margin  entirely 
grey,  and  the  hinder  one  tinged  with  that  colour ; 
the  anal  angle  bearing  a  large  ocellus  with  a  blue 
iris,  and  large  bluish-brown  pupil,  placed  in  a  patch 
of  deep  black,  which  emits  a  stripe  in  the  direction 
of  the  anal  angle.  The  head  and  thorax  are  nearly 
of  the  same  shade  of  colour  as  the  surface  of  the 
upper  wings,  the  latter  with  a  deep  brown  mark  on 
the  back ;  the  abdomen  brownish-grey. 

The  caterpillar  is  of  a  fine  green  on  the  back, 
the  sides  and  belly  tinged  with  blue.  Most  of  the 
segments  are  ornamented  with  a  white  oblique 
stripe  on  the  sides ;  the  stigmata  are  white,  circum- 
scribed by  a  brown  line;  the  membraneous  legs 
rose-colour,  and  the  head  bordered  with  yellow.  It 
feeds  on  various  trees,  such  as  the  willow,  poplar 
ajid  apple. 


EYED  HAWK-MOTH.  J  29 

The  perfect  insect  is  not  rare  in  England,  but  it 
becomes  scarce  further  to  the  north.  Some  places 
have  afforded  it  in  great  abundance — such  as  Ep 
ping  Forest,  several  places  in  Devonshire,  and  the 
vicinity  of  York — and  it  seems  to  be  found  occa- 
sionally in  all  the  English  counties.  It  is  very  rare 
in  Scotland. 


POPLAR  HAWKMOTH. 

Smerinihus  Popidi. 
rLAlK  111.    Fig.  2. 

Sphinx  Populi,  Linn. ;  Donovan,  viii.  PI.  241. — Poplar  Hawk- 
moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  25  ;  Harris'1  Aurel.  PI.  63. 

LARGER  than  the  preceding,  and  differing  consider- 
ably from  the  other  species  in  having  the  external 
border  of  all  the  wings  pretty  regularly  dentated. 
The  colour  is  generally  greyish-brown,  occasionally 
inclining  to  obscure  rusty-red,  and  sometimes  grey- 
ish-white, with  bands  and  transverse  rays  of  a 
deeper  hue  than  the  ground  colour ;  each  of  the 
upper  wings  having  a  white  crescent  near  the 
middle.  At  the  base  of  the  hinder  wings  there  is 
a  ferruginous  patch,  and  near  the  middle  a  pale 
whitish  lunule,  always  indistinct  and  sometimes  not 
observable.  The  body  is  nearly  of  the  same  colour 


J30  POPLAR  HAWK-MOTH. 

as  the  wings ;  the  antennae  reddish  internally,  and 
yellowish- white  on  the  outer  side. 

The  caterpillar  bears  much  resemblance  to  that 
already  described,  being  usually  green,  with  oblique 
yellow  or  white  stripes.  The  stigmata  are  yellow 
or  rose-colour,  with  a  white  centre ;  the  membran- 
ous legs  often  ornamented  with  a  curved  orange 
spot  externally.  The  head  is  bordered  with  yellow, 
and  the  anal  horn  is  of  that  colour,  with  the  base 
blue.  It  eats  the  leaves  of  poplars  and  willows. 
(PI.  in.  fig.  3). 

This  plainly  coloured  insect  is  by  far  the  most 
common  of  the  Sphingidae,  being  frequent  in  all 
parts  of  England,  and  generally  distributed  over  the 
southern  division  of  Scotland.  It  is  found  about 
midsummer  and  in  autumn. 


1 .   Lime  //,/«•/•-//,„/// .       - .  />7/r/  ffa*k-motfi 
•  >.< aterpitlar  of  'PrivctflaAk  moth  . 


J31 


LIME  HAWK-MOTH. 

Smerinthns  Tilue. 
PLATE  IV.    Fig.  1. 

Sphinx  Tiliae,  Linn. ;  Donovan,  x.  PI.  325 — Olive  Shades,  or 

Lime   Hawk-moth,    Wilkes,    PI.  23 Lime    Hawk-moth, 

Harris*  Aurd.  PI.  20. 

A  VERY  variable  insect  both  in  colour  and  the  form 
of  the  markings:  the  anterior  wings  are  usually 
greyish,  with  an  interrupted  band  of  olive -green  or 
olive-brown  in  the  middle,  formed  by  two  spots,  of 
which  the  anterior  one  is  the  largest;  the  outer 
margin  has  a  broad  band  of  the  same  colour,  edged 
externally  with  ferruginous,  and  having  a  white 
mark  at  the  tip  of  the  wing.  The  hinder  wings 
are  grey,  with  an  ill-defined  brown  band  running 
obliquely  from  the  anterior  edge  to  the  anal  angle, 
where  the  colour  deepens  and  sometimes  becomes 
greenish.  The  thorax  is  marked  with  three  longi- 
tudinal bands  of  olive  green  which  unite  in  front, 
and  the  abdomen  generally  has  a  green  tinge. — The 
colour  of  the  surface  is  occasionally  obscure  red, 
with  the  outer  extremity  of  the  anterior  wings  and 
the  central  spots  deep  rust-red :  at  other  times  the 


132  LIME  HAWK-MOTH. 

two  central  spots  are  united,  and  sometimes  one  of 
them  is  wanting. 

The  caterpillar  feeds  on  the  lime,  elm,  birch,  &c. 
It  is  pale-green,  with  seven  oblique  whitish  stripes 
on  each  side  bordered  anteriorly  with  red  or  yellow. 
The  head  is  smaller  than  in  others  of  the  genus,  the 
body  more  attenuated  in  front,  and  there  is  a  granu- 
lar protuberance  over  the  anus*. 

The  rarest  of  the  three,  being  found  only  occa- 
sionally ;  but  it  seems  to  be  pretty  generally  distri- 
buted throughout  England.  It  occurs  near  London 
more  frequently  than  in  most  other  places;  also 
near  Exeter,  York,  &c.  It  does  not  seem  to  be  a 
Scotch  insect. 

*  Godart'i  Potions  <l*  Frwux.  iii,  67. 


133 


DEATH'S-HEAD  HAWK-MOTH. 

Acherontia  Atropos. 
PLATE  V. 

Sphinx  Atropos,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  ix.  PI.  289,  290. — Jasmine 
Hawk-moth,  WUkes,  PI.  19. —  Death's  Head,  Harris.— 
Acherontia  Atropos,  Ochsen. — Bee- Tiger  Moth,  Curtis,  iv. 
PI.  147 ;  Stephens. 

THE  shortness  of  the  proboscis  and  antennae,  the 
latter  terminating  in  a  kind  of  hook  supporting  a 
long  hairy  seta,  and  the  entire  margin  of  the  wings 
without  indentation  or  sinuosity,  suffice  to  distin- 
guish ACHEBONTIA  from  the  genera  with  which  it 
has  long  been  associated.  Other  subordinate  dis- 
tinctions are  to  be  found  in  several  peculiarities 
of  structure,  and  the  caterpillar,  besides  presenting 
some  other  differences  in  character  and  aspect,  has 
the  caudal  horn  thickly  tuberculated.  The  only 
British  species  is  the  striking  and  well  known 
insect  above  referred  to.  The  expansion  of  the 
wings  varies  from  four  to  five  inches,  and  females 
have  occasionally  been  found  not  much  short  of  six 
inches  in  extent:  it  must  therefore  be  considered 
not  only  as  the  largest  of  our  indigenous  lepidoptera, 
but  with  one  exception,  the  Peacock-moth  ( Sa- 
turnia  Pavonia  major},  the  largest  insect  inhabiting 
Europe.  The  surface  of  the  primary  wings  is  dark- 


134  DEATH'S-HEAD  HAWK-MOTH. 

brown,  or  blackish,  powdered  with  white,  and 
marked  with  several  waved  transverse  stripes  of 
deep  black,  and  others  of  rust-red,  the  latter  colour 
forming  a  series  of  dashes  on  the  nervures  at  the 
hinder  margin  of  the  wings.  Near  the  centre  of 
each  wing  there  is  a  small  round  whitish  spot. 
The  secondary  wings  are  deep  yellow  or  ochreous, 
with  two  dark  bands  nearly  parallel  with  the  hinder 
margin  and  at  some  distance  from  it.  The  head 
and  thorax  are  nearly  of  the  same  colour  as  the 
dark  portion  of  the  upper  wings ;  the  thorax  bearing 
on  its  surface  a  large  grey  or  yellowish  spot,  not 
unaptly  representing  a  front  view  of  a  human  skull 
or  "  Death's  Head/*  The  abdomen  is  blackish, 
bluish-ash  down  the  back,  with  yellow  transverse 
spots  on  the  sides  of  the  segments.  The  antenna 
are  whitish  at  the  tip,  and  the  tarsi  ringed  with 
white. 

The  caterpillar,  which  is  sometimes  five  inches 
in  length,  is  of  a  fine  yellow,  with  seven  oblique 
green  bands  on  each  side  and  a  longitudinal  series 
of  blue  spots  on  the  back,  which  besides  is  spotted 
with  black  and  granulated.  It  is  generally  found 
on  the  potato  and  common  jasmine,  but  likewise 
leeds  on  a  variety  of  other  plants  of  very  dissimilar 
qualities.  The  insect  was  formerly  very  scarce  in 
this  country,  but  since  the  cultivation  of  the  potato 
became  general,  it  has  increased  considerably.  The 
caterpillar,  however,  occurs  much  more  frequently 
than  the  moth,  and  as  it  very  often  dies  before 
completing  its  transformations,  indigenous  speci- 


DEATH'S-HEAD  HAWK-MOTH.  135 

mens  of  the  perfect  insect  are  still  regarded  by 
collectors  as  a  desirable  acquisition.  The  cater- 
pillars are  usually  full  grown  about  the  middle  of 
August,  when  they  bury  themselves  in  the  earth 
and  form  an  oval  cell  in  which  they  undergo 
their  destined  changes.  The  moth  seldom  appears 
before  the  end  of  September ;  it  conceals  itself  in 
some  obscure  place  during  the  day,  and  appears 
on  the  wing  only  in  the  morning  and  evening 
twilight.  In  the  southern  parts  of  England,  a 
considerable  number  of  specimens  are  found  annu- 
ally ;  and  although  it  becomes  rarer  in  the  north,  it 
has  been  observed  not  unfrequently  both  in  the 
north  of  England  and  in  Scotland.  In  the  latter 
country  we  have  seen  examples  from  Ayrshire, 
Perthshire,  the  vicinity  of  Jedburgh,  and  Mid- 
lothian, and  have  heard  of  their  occurrence  in 
many  other  places. 

Over  foreign  lands  the  Death's-head  Hawk-moth 
has  a  wide  range  of  distribution.  It  occurs  in  con- 
siderable abundance  in  all  the  southern  countries  of 
Europe,  in  the  two  extremities  of  Africa,  and  in 
the  Isle  of  France.  In  the  latter  country,  according 
to  St.  Pierre,  a  belief  prevails  that  the  dust  cast  from 
its  wings,  in  flying  through  an  apartment,  produces 
blindness  if  it  happen  to  fall  upon  the  eyes. 

The  great  size  of  this  creature,  its  remarkable 
appearance,  the  "  grim  feature"  stamped  upon  its 
thorax,  together  with  the  power  it  possesses  of 
emitting  a  plaintive  and  mournful  cry,  have  con- 
spired to  render  it  an  object  of  alarm  to  the 


136  DEATH'S-HEAD  HAWK-MOTH. 

ignorant  and  superstitious.  We  are  told  by  Reau- 
mur that  they  once  appeared  in  great  abundance 
in  some  districts  of  Bretagne,  and  produced  great 
trepidation  among  the  inhabitants,  who  considered 
them  to  be  the  forerunners  and  even  the  cause 
of  epidemic  diseases  and  other  calamities.  "  A 
letter  is  now  before  me/'  says  Mr.  Knapp,  "  from 
a  correspondent  in  German  Poland,  where  this 
insect  is  a  common  creature,  and  so  abounded 
in  1824,  that  my  informant  collected  fifty  of  them 
in  the  potato-fields  of  his  village,  where  they  call 
them  the  "  Death's-head  Phantom,"  the  "  Wan- 
dering Death -bird,"  &c.  The  markings  on  its  back 
represent  to  these  fertile  imaginations  the  head  of 
a  perfect  skeleton,  with  the  limb-bones  crossed 
beneath;  its  cry  becomes  the  voice  of  anguish, 
the  moaning  of  a  child,  the  signal  of  grief ;  it  is 
regarded  not  as  the  creation  of  a  benevolent  being, 
but  the  device  of  evil  spirits — spirits  enemies  to 
man,  conceived  and  fabricated  in  the  dark ;  the 
very  shining  of  its  eyes  is  thought  to  represent  the 
fiery  element,  whence  it  is  supposed  to  have  pro- 
ceeded. Flying  into  their  apartments  in  the  evening, 
it  at  times  extinguishes  the  light,  foretelling  war, 
pestilence,  hunger,  death,  to  man  and  beast*." 

The  sound  alluded  to,  which  seems  to  be  peculiar 
to  this  species  among  lepidopterous  insects,  has 
often  attracted  the  notice  of  observers,  but  they 
have  hitherto  been  unable  to  determine  satisfactorily 
in  what  manner  it  is  produced.  As  it  is  impoa- 
*  Journal  of  a  Naturalist,  page  327. 


DEATn'S-HEAD  HAWK -MOTH.  137 

Bible,  from  the  nature  of  their  organization,  that 
any  insect  can  be  possessed  of  a  genuine  voice,  it 
has  been  conjectured  that  the  noise  is  occasioned  by 
the  friction  of  one  organ  against  another,  as  is  well 
known  to  be  the  case  with  many  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, &c.  Reaumur  and  others  accordingly 
ascribe  it  to  the  reciprocal  action  of  the  trunk  and 
palpi ;  but  the  sound  having  been  found  to  continue 
after  these  organs  were  cut  off,  it  must  evidently 
have  some  other  origin.  Under  the  idea  that  it 
was  connected  with  the  motion  of  the  wings, 
another  observer  was  led  to  conceive  that  its  source 
was  two  concave  scales  placed  at  the  base  of  these 
appendages,  against  which  the  air  is  forcibly  pro- 
pelled by  their  rapid  motion.  M.  Lorey,  a  French 
physician,  maintains  that  the  stridulation  in  question 
is  produced  by  the  escape  of  air  from  a  trachea 
placed  on  each  side  of  the  base  of  the  abdomen, 
which,  when  the  animal  is  in  a  state  of  repose,  are 
closed  by  a  fascicle  of  fine  hairs.  A  more  recent 
writer,  M.  Duponchel,  controverts  all  these  state- 
ments, and  gives  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  noise  is 
emitted  from  the  interior  of  the  head,  in  which  there 
is  a  cavity  communicating  with  the  trunk,  and  near 
which  are  placed  the  muscles  by  which  the  latter  is 
put  in  motion.  As  M.  Lorey,  however,  affirms  that 
he  has  heard  the  sound  after  the  head  was  ampu- 
tated, and  M.  Duponchel  makes  the  same  assertion 
in  relation  to  the  abdomen,  these  various  opinions 
must  be  considered  as  irreconcilable,  and  the  matter 
left  to  be  decided  by  future  investigation. 


138  DEATH'S-HEAD  HAWK-MOTH. 

The  celebrated  M.  Hiiber,  and  some  other  na- 
turalists, affirm  that  this  insect  is  in  the  habit  of 
entering  the  hives  of  the  common  domestic  bee, 
where  it  takes  up  its  abode  for  a  time,  and  regales 
itself  on  the  honey.  That  it  should  be  attracted  by 
the  smell  of  the  honey,  and  even  enter  the  hive  in 
search  of  it,  might  have  been  expected  from  the 
predilection  which  most  lepidopterous  insects  show 
for  that  kind  of  food ;  but  it  is  not  easy  to  under- 
stand how  a  creature  without  offensive  weapons, 
and  unprotected  by  any  hard  covering,  can  either 
resist  or  survive  the  attacks  of  so  many  armed 
assailants.  This  difficulty  is  increased  when  we 
consider  the  result  of  one  of  M.  Hiiber's  experi- 
ments :  on  introducing  a  Death's-head  moth  into  a 
box  where  a  colony  of  humble  bees  (Bombus  Mus- 
corum)  had  established  themselves,  it  was  imme- 
diately attacked,  and  so  severely  stung  that  it  died 
shortly  after ;  yet  the  sting  of  this  insect  is  by  no 
means  so  formidable  as  that  of  the  honey  bee. 
There  is  very  little  probability  in  M.  Hiiber's  con- 
jecture, that  the  hostility  of  this  irritable  race  may 
be  disarmed  by  the  stridulous  sound  emitted  by  the 
moth,  which  he  supposes  may  possibly  have  an 
effect  similar  to  that  produced  by  the  queen.  In 
this  country  the  moth  is  never  likely  to  become  so 
plentiful  as  to  occasion  much  damage ;  at  any  rate, 
an  effectual  remedy  may  be  easily  applied,  by  cover- 
ing the  opening  into  the  hive  with  a  wire  grating, 
having  the  apertures  of  such  a  size  as  to  admit  no 
larger  object  than  the  proper  inmates. 


139 


GENUS  SPHINX. 

THE  above  term,  as  has  been  already  noticed,  was 
long  employed  as  the  generic  designation  of  all  the 
Hawk-moths  properly  so  called,  but  is  now  restricted 
to  such  as  present  the  following  characters : — An- 
tennae rather  long,  slightly  increasing  in  thickness 
from  before  the  middle  nearly  to  the  apex,  but  scarcely 
or  not  at  all  clavate ;  the  apex  slender,  hooked,  and 
tenninatiag  in  a  long  scaly  seta;  proboscis  very 
long,  slender,  and  convoluted;  abdomen  elongate- 
conic,  without  any  tuft  at  the  apex.  The  palpi  are 
three-jointed,  very  obtuse,  the  second  joint  being 
large  and  oval,  and  the  third  minute  and  depressed. 
The  caterpillars  are  generally  green  or  brownish, 
with  oblique  or  longitudinal  lateral  stripes  of  yellow, 
and  having  the  caudal  horn  long,  acute,  and  curved. 
The  pupa  is  subterranean ;  the  abdomen  of  the 
perfect  insect  ornamented  with  transverse  bands. — • 
The  first  species  we  have  to  describe  is  that  named 


PRIVET  HAWK-MOTH. 

Spldnx  Liyitstri. 
PLATE  IV.   Fig.  2. 

5pliinx  Ligustri,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  viii.  PI.  84. — Privet  Hawk' 
moth,  Wilkes,  Harris. 

THE  Privet  Hawk-moth  generally  measures  from 
three  and  a  half  to  four  and  a  half  inches  across 
the  wings  ;  the  upper  pair  ash-grey,  slightly  tinged 
with  rose-colour,  and  marked  with  irregular  black 
veins;  the  hinder  portion  of  the  wings  obscure 
brown,  and  the  hinder  margin  bearing  two  whitish, 
flexuous  lines,  on  a  greyish  ground,  which  unite 
near  the  apex.  The  surface  of  the  hinder  wings 
is  of  a  fine  rose-colour,  traversed  by  three  black 
bands,  that  next  the  base  being  short  and  placed 
nearly  at  right  angle  with  the  others,  which  are 
parallel  with  the  hinder  margin ;  the  latter  tinged 
with  brown.  The  fringe  surrounding  the  wings  is 
greyish,  inclining  to  red.  The  thorax  is  dark  brown, 
greyish  posteriorly,  and  white  with  a  rosy  tinge  on 
the  sides ;  the  abdomen  purple  or  deep  rose-colour, 
with  black  bands,  interrupted  in  the  middle  by  a 


PRIVET  HAWK-MOTH.  141 

broad  longitudinal  brown  stripe,  haying  a  narrow 
black  line  down  the  middle. 

The  caterpillar  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  be- 
longing to  this  tribe.  It  is  of  large  size,  and  of  a 
fine  apple-green  colour,  ornamented  with  seven 
oblique  stripes  on  each  side  of  the  body,  purple 
anteriorly,  and  white  behind.  The  stigmata  are 
orange-yellow,  and  the  caudal  horn  yellow  on  the 
under  side  and  black  above.  Its  ordinary  food  is 
the  leaves  of  the  common  privet,  but  it  likewise 
consumes  the  different  kinds  of  lilac  ( '  Syringce), 
the  ash,  the  elder,  and  laurel  (Daphne  laureola). 
It  generally  changes  into  a  chrysalis  in  the  month 
of  August,  but  occasionally  at  a  much  earlier  period, 
as  the  moth  has  been  sometimes  observed  on  the 
wing  in  July.  It  constructs  no  cocoon  properly  so 
called,  but  merely  forms  an  oval  chamber  in  the 
earth,  the  sides  of  which  it  consolidates  by  the 
pressure  of  its  body,  and  by  uniting  the  particles  by 
means  of  a  glutinous  secretion  discharged  from  the 
moutji. 

It  is  of  not  unfrequent  occurrence  in  many  parts 
of  the  south  of  England,  especially  in  Cambridge- 
shire and  the  counties  adjoining,  but  becomes  rarer 
in  the  north,  and  is  seldom  noticed  in  Scotland 
although  it  occurs  occasionally.  It  abounds  in 
many  parts  of  the  continent. 


142 


UNICORN  HAWK-MOTH. 

Sphinx  Convolvuli. 
PLATE  VI. 

Sphinx  Convolvuli,  Linn. ;  Donovan,  vii.  PI.  228  and  229.—. 
Unicorn  or  Bindweed  Hawk-moth,  Wilkes.— Unicorn  or 
Convolvulus  Hawk-moth,  Harris — Sphinx  a  comes  de 
Boeuf,  Geoff.,  Godart. 

THE  surface  of  the  primary  wings  in  this  fine  species 
is  greyish- ash  colour,  clouded  with  brown  and 
black,  and  marked  with  a  few  narrow  lines  or 
streaks  of  deep  black.  The  secondary  wings  are 
also  greyish,  and  traversed  by  three  dark-coloured 
bands,  the  anterior  one  bent  towards  the  body,  the 
second  oblique  and  somewhat  double,  the  third 
widened  externally  and  nearly  parallel  with  the 
hinder  margins.  The  fringe  surrounding  the  wings 
is  white  interrupted  with  brown.  The  thorax  is 
nearly  of  the  same  colour  as  the  upper  wings, 
marked  with  two  dark  indistinct  lines,  somewhat  in 
the  shape  of  a  horse-shoe,  and  having  a  bluish  spot 
behind,  with  a  red  one  adjoining.  The  abdomen 
is  ringed  alternately  with  black  and  red,  inclining 


UNICORN  HAWK-MOTH.  143 

to  rose-colour,  the  red  bands  margined  with  white 
anteriorly,  and  there  is  a  broad  greyish  stripe  down 
the  back  divided  in  the  middle  by  a  black  line. 
The  antennae  are  whitish,  as  well  as  the  under  side 
of  the  body,  the  latter  having  two  black  spots  in 
the  middle  of  the  belly.  The  expansion  of  the 
wings  is  about  four  inches  and  a  half. 

The  caterpillar  is  very  variable  in  colour  and 
markings.  It  is  most  commonly  of  a  bright  green, 
(as  represented  on  PL  vi.  fig.  2.),  with  black  or 
brown  spots  on  the  back,  and  oblique  yellow  stripes 
on  the  sides;  the  latter,  however,  are  sometimes 
black,  and  examples  are  occasionally  found  in  which 
the  whole  body  is  brown.  The  stigmata  are  usually 
of  some  colour  contrasting  with  the  rest  of  the 
body ;  most  commonly  they  are  black  or  pink.  It 
feeds  on  the  indigenous  species  of  convolvulus, 
particularly  C.  Sepium.  It  generally  assumes  the 
pupa  state  about  the  end  of  July,  the  moth  appear- 
ing in  September ;  but  if  the  larva  be  not  full 
grown  till  a  later  period,  the  perfect  insect  is  not 
disclosed  till  the  ensuing  May  or  June. 

The  Unicorn  or  Bindweed  Hawk-moth,  termed 
by  a  French  naturalist  the  Ox-horned  Sphinx,  on 
account  of  the  thickness  and  rigidity  of  its  antennae, 
is  by  no  means  an  insect  of  common  occurrence  in 
Britain,  but  it  seems  to  be  distributed  over  the 
whole  island.  It  has  been  found  *in  the  northern 
extremity  of  Scotland,  as  well  as  in  several  of  the 
southern  counties,  and  numerous  localities  have 
been  cited  for  it  in  most  parts  of  England.  Godart 


144  TTNtCORN  HAWK-MOTH. 

states  that  it  diffuses  an  odour  like  that  of  amber, 
and  that  its  eyes,  on  account  of  their  uncommon 
size,  shine  in  the  dark  much  more  brilliantly  than 
those  of  any  other  crepuscular  or  nocturnal  insect. 


PINE  HAWK-MOTH. 

Sphinx  Pinastri. 
PLATE  VII.    Fig.  1.  - 

Sphinx  Pinastri,  Linn.  ;  Donovan^  ix.  296  ;  Steph.  Illus.  Hau*. 
i.  122. 

IN  this  species  the  wings  expand  about  three  inches. 
The  upper  side  of  the  primary  wings  is  ash-grey, 
clouded  with  hrown  in  the  middle  of  the  interior 
border  and  near  the  apex:  on  the  disk  of  each 
there  are  three  diverging  black  streaks,  and  another 
somewhat  hent  at  the  extremity  of  the  wing.  The 
secondary  wings  are  brownish,  inclining  to  ash- 
colour,  especially  at  the  base.  All  the  wings  have 
the  fringe  on  the  posterior  border  white,  spotted  at 
regular  intervals  with  hrown.  The  thorax  is  grey 
on  the  back,  with  two  dark  bands  down  each  side, 
beyond  which  the  colour  is  white.  The  abdomen 
is  ringed  alternately  with  white  and  black,  and  has 
a  dorsal  stripe  of  grey,  with  a  black  line  down  the 
middle.  The  upper  side  of  the  antenna?  and  most 
of  the  under  part"  are  white. 


UNICORN  HAWK-MOTH.  145 

The  caterpillar  is  at  first  yellowish-brown,  but 
afterwards  becomes  green,  with  two  longitudinal 
stripes  of  lemon-yellow  on  each  side,  a  brown  dorsal 
band  and  numerous  fine  black  lines  across  the  back. 
The  anterior  legs  are  yellow,  the  membranous  ones 
of  a  whitish  colour,  and  the  stigmata  yellow  sur- 
rounded by  a  black  ring.  The  caudal  horn  is  like- 
wise black.  On  the  continent,  in  several  parts  of 
which  it  is  a  common  insect,  it  feeds  chiefly  on  the 
pineaster  (Pinus  pinaster).  In  this  country  it  is 
said  to  frequent  the  spruce  and  Scotch  fir.  The 
moth  is  very  rare  in  Britain,  Colney  Hatch  Wood 
and  the  neighbourhood  of  Esher  being  probably 
the  only  localities  in  which  it  has  been  observed. 
It  certainly  was  never  taken  in  Kavelstoii  Wood, 
near  Edinburgh,  by  Mr.  Wilson  of  the  College,  ;i*s 
intimated  by  Dr.  Leach,  and  it  is  probably  through 
some  inadvertence  that  he  states  it  to  have  been 
taken  there  by  himself. 


GENUS  DEILEPHILA. 

THE  species  included  under  this  appellation,  wh}ch 
is  derived  from  the  Greek,  and  means  Lovers  of 
Evening,  were  first  dissevered  from  their  associates 
by  Hubner,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  form  of  the 
antennae,  which  are  rather  short,  thickening  at  the 
apex  so  as  to  form  a  distinct  club,  and  having  the 
terminal  hook  ending  in  a  naked  tubulated  seta. 
The  proboscis  is  long  and  spiral,  but  in  general  it  is 
shorter  than  in  the  preceding  genus.  The  abdomen 
is  comparatively  short  and  of  a  conical  shape.  The 
anterior  wings  are  not  very  acute  at  the  apex,  the 
hinder  margin  slightly  and  regularly  rounded,  with- 
out any  sinuosity.  The  caterpillars  are  similar  in 
shape  to  those  of  the  genus  Sphinx,  but  their 
colours  are  distributed  in  spots ;  the  anterior  seg- 
ments are  not  retractile.  The  pupa  is  always  more 
or  less  covered  with  soil.  The  abdomen  of  the 
perfect  insects  is  banded  transversely  at  the  base, 
the  other  bands  interrupted  on  the  back  and  forming 
only  lateral  spots. 


THE  MADDER  HAWK-MOTH. 

Deilephila  Galii. 
PLATE  VII.   Fig.  2. 


Stephens'  Ittus.  i.  125,  PI.  12,  fig.  2 Sphinx  Galii,  Hubner, 

Godart. — Spotted  Elephant  Caterpillar,  Harris"*  Aurel. 


NEARLY  the  same  size  as  D.  Euphorbia,  to  which  it 
bears  so  much  resemblance  in  other  respects,  that 
Linnaeus  supposed  it  to  be  a  mere  variety  ot  tnat 
species.  The  upper  wings  are  olive-brown  or 
greenish,  with  the  posterior  border  cinereous,  and  a 
yellowish  band,  irregular  anteriorly  and  somewhat 
slnuated  behind,  extending  from  near  the  base  to 
the  apex.  The  hinder  wings  are  dull  red,  with  the 
base  and  a  posterior  band  black,  and  there  is  a 
white  spot  on  the  anal  angle.  The  colour  of  the 
thorax  and  the  markings  on  the  abdomen  resemble 
those  of  D.  Euphorbias,  with  this  difference  that  the 
breast  and  belly  are  tinged  with  green,  and  the 
abdomen  has  a  series  of  small  white  spots  down  the 
back. 

The  caterpillar  is  described  as  of  a  bronzed  green, 
colour,  with  a  yellow  line  along  the  back,  and  a  row 


]  48  THE  MADDER  HAWK  -MOTH. 

of  oval  yellow  spots,  bordered  with  black  on  each 
side.  The  anterior  legs  are  black,  and  the  mem- 
branous legs  of  a  delicate  rose-colour.  Its  food 
consists  of  different  kinds  of  Galium,  particularly 
Galium  verum  (yellow  lady's-bedstraw),  and  G. 
mollugo  (wild  madder). 

This  insect  is  found  in  most  parts  of  Europe,  but 
it  seems  to  prefer  a  southern  climate,  as  it  is  scarce 
in  most  northern  countries,  and  becomes  rare  even 
in  the  latitude  of  Paris.  In  Britain  it  has  been 
occasionally  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  London  ; 
also  in  Kent,  Devonshire,  and  Cornwall.  "  Isle  of 
Wight,  and  the  neighbourhood  of  Warwick,"  Entom. 
Mag.  Two  specimens  were  taken  in  the  garden  at 
Twizel  by  Mr,  Selby  in  the  autumn  of  1834 ;  and 
it  has  likewise  occurred  at  (Jramond  near  Edin- 
burgh. 


149 


SPOTTED  ELEPHANT  HAWK-MOTH. 

Deikphila  Euphorbia. 
PLATE  VIII. 


Sphinx  Euphorbia,  Linn.  ;   Donovan,  iii.  PI.  91,  92 Deile- 

phila  Euphorbiae,  Curtis'  B.  E.  i.  PI.  3.— Spotted  Elephant 
Hawk-moth,  Harris'  Aurelian,  PI.  44. 


THE  primary  wings,  which  expand  from  two  and  a 
half  to  nearly  three  inches,  are  of  a  dusky-green 
colour,  with  a  broad  irregular  rosy  fascia  running 
obliquely  from  the  hinder  margin  near  the  base  to 
the  apex ;  the  posterior  margin  of  a  similar  colour, 
but  somewhat  dusky;  the  inner  margin  narrowly 
edged  with  white.  The  under  wings  are  red,  in- 
clining to  rose-colour,  with  a  white  mark  on  the  anal 
angle,  the  base  and  a  transverse  band  being  black. 
The  head  and  antennae  are  white,  the  thorax  dusky 
or  olive-green  on  the  surface  ;  the  abdomen  likewise 
of  the  latter  colour,  with  the  sides  of  the  three  first 
segments  white,  the  two  next  the  base  with  deep 
black  spots,  the  remaining  segments  narrowly  edged 
with  white  anteriorly  at  the  sides.  The  whole  of 
the  under  side  is  rose-colour,  somewhat  clouded 


J50  SPOTTED  ELEPHANT  HAWK  MOTH. 

and  obscured  with  dusky,  and  having  a  large  dark- 
coloured  spot  near  the  middle  of  the  upper  wings. 

The  caterpillar  varies  considerably  in  appearance, 
according  to  its  age.  In  its  mature  state,  when 
nearly  ready  to  be  transformed  into  a  chrysalis,  it  is 
black,  with  numerous  slightly  elevated  white  or 
yellowish  points  disposed  in  -transverse  lines  placed 
close  to  each  other,  and  three  longitudinal  rows  of 
rounded  spots  on  each  side,  the  spots  in  the  central 
row,  which  are  much  smaller  than  the  others,  and 
those  of  the  upper  row,  being  cream-coloured,  and 
the  lower  one  bright  red:  the  head,  a  line  along 
the  back,  and  the  legs,  are  of  the  latter  colour. 
The  cypress-leaved  spurge  (Euphorbia  cyparissias) 
is  the  favourite  plant  of  this  beautiful  caterpillar ; 
it  likewise  feeds  on  Euphorbia  esula  and  E.  Para- 
tyas  (sea  spurge),  but  seems  to  reject  several  other 
kinds,  although  the  qualities  of  all  may  be  presumed 
to  be  nearly  the  same. 

This  must  be  regarded  as  a  rare  and  local  insect 
in  Britain.  The  locality  that  has  afforded  the 
largest  supply  of  specimens  is  in  the  vicinity  of 
Barnstaple,  in  Devonshire,  where  it  was  procured 
in  some  plenty  by  Mr.  Raddon.  "  That  gentle- 
man," says  Mr.  Curtis,  "  visited  occasionally  the 
extensive  sand-hills  at  Appledore  and  Braunton 
Burrows  near  Barnstaple,  where  Euphorbia  Para- 
lias  grows  in  great  abundance;  and  from  the  size 
and  beauty  of  the  caterpillar  it  would  be  imagined 
that  it  might  readily  be  found ;  but  in  the  young 
state  they  are  not  easily  discoverable ;  and  when 


SPOTTED  ELEPHANT  HAWK-MOTH.  151 

more  advanced,  they  become  so  conspicuous  that 
their  numbers  are  reduced  by  marine  birds  that 
feed  upon  them.  Sometimes  they  may  be  traced 
by  their  soil,  at  other  times  they  may  be  seen  far 
from  the  spot  where  they  fed,  at  the  extremity  of  a 
tall  rush.  They  are  full  grown  about  the  middle  of 
September,  when  they  descend  into  the  sand  and 
change  into  chrysalides,  forming  a  loose  case  of 
earth  around  them,  from  which  they  emerge  the 
beginnijig  of  the  following  June.  Sometimes,  how- 
ever, they  remain  in  the  pupa  state  two  seasons,  as 
many  other  Lepidoptera  do ; — a  wise  provision  of 
Nature  to  prevent  any  accident  from  destroying  the 
whole  brood.  The  sand-hills  where  the  larva  is 
found  are  of  great  extent  and  magnitude,  and  must 
have  been  collected  by  the  winds  and  storms  to 
which  they  are  constantly  exposed  •  during  the 
winter  the  whole  soil  is  frequently  removed,  so  as 
completely  to  alter  the  surface  of  the  country;  a 
great  number  of  the  pupa  must  consequently  be 
destroyed  or  buried  at  a  great  depth  below  the 
surface,  where  probably  they  lie  hid  until  they  are 
brought  to  light  and  life  by  the  influence  of  the 
elements*." 

*  Curtis'  British  Ent.  i.  p  3. 


152 


RAYED  HAWK-MOTH. 
DeUephUa  Lineata. 

Sieph.  Illus.  Ham.  i.  126,  PI.  12,  fig.  1.— Sphinx  lineata,  FaM* 
cius. — Sphinx  Livornica,  Hvbner  and  Esper. 

LARGER  than  either  of  the  preceding,  but  not 
strikingly  dissimilar,  the  colours  being  distributed 
somewhat  after  the  same  manner.  The  upper  wings 
are  olive-brown,  traversed  by  seven  white  nervures, 
and  having  an  angular  patch  of  the  same  colour  m 
the  centre  of  each :  the  hinder  border  is  cinereous 
and  somewhat  shining,  and  a  yellowish  band  com- 
mences at  the  origin  of  the  internal  border  and  runs 
obliquely  along  the  wing  to  the  apex.  The  hindei 
firings  and  the  thorax  are  nearly  as  in  D.  Galii; 
but  the  thorax  bears  two  white  rays  in  the  centre, 
which  are  abbreviated  and  convergent  in  front.  The 
abdomen  is  olive-brown,  each  of  the  segments  with 
a  white  border  anteriorly,  which  is  spotted  with 
black.  The  antennaB  are  brown,  with  the  tip 
white. 

The  caterpillar,  which  seems  not  to  have  been 
hitherto  noticed  in  this  country,  is  described  by  the 
continental  naturalists  as  yellow  inclining  to  olive, 


RAYED  HAWK-MOTH.  153 

with  the  head,  a  dorsal  line,  and  two  rows  of  large 
points  along  the  side,  rose-colour.  The  caudal  horn 
is  of  that  colour  on  the  upper  side,  and  black 
heneath.  The  helly  is  white.  It  feeds  on  the 
yellow  lady's-hedstraw  and  a  common  kind  of  thistle, 
the  Sonchus  arvensis.  It  undergoes  its  first  trans- 
formation towards  the  end  of  July,  and  the  moth 
is  usually  disclosed  in  about  thirty  days. 

"  D.  lineata  is  unquestionably  rare  in  England," 
says  Mr.  Stephens,  "  and  few  collectors  can  boast 
the  possession  of  specimens ;  it  has,  however,  been 
captured  in  distant  parts :  the  Rev.  T.  Skrimshire 
possesses  a  specimen  which  I  believe  was  caught  in 
Norfolk,  and  Mr.  Dale  has  one  which  he  obtained 
from  Dr.  Abbott's  cabinet,  also  found  eastward ;  in 
June,  1824,  a  beautiful  and  perfect  specimen  was 
taken  off  the  mast  of  the  Ramsgate  steam- vessel  at 
Billingsgate,  and  last  year  a  wasted  one  was  found 
near  Bethnal-green ;  in  addition  to  the  above,  three 
specimens  were  formerly  taken  near  Kingsbridge  in 
Devonshire,  one  of  which  I  possess  through  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  Leach.  The  above  are  the  only 
indigenous  examples  I  have  seen,  all  the  remainder 
which  are  placed  in  collections  for  this  species 
being  D.  Dattmis,  a  native  of  North  America*." 

*  Illustr.  of  British  Ent.  (Huust.}9i.  127. 


J54 


GENUS  METOPSILUS*. 

THE  characters  presented  by  several  species  hitherto 
associated  with  the  preceding  group,  are  sufficiently 
distinct  to  entitle  them  to  he  ranked  at  least  as  a 
separate  sub-genus.  The  antennas  are  but  slightly 
clavate,  the  anterior  wings  very  acute  at  the  apex, 
with  a  slight  sinuosity  or  emargination  on  the  hinder 
margin  just  below  the  tip,  which  gives  them  a  some- 
what falcate  shape  ;  the  inner  margin  likewise 
deeply  emarginate  behind  the  middle.  The  larvae 
offer  several  very  distinctive  marks,  particularly  that 
of  having  the  anterior  segments  very  much  at- 
tenuated, and  capable  of  being  drawn  within  each 
other ;  a  peculiarity  which  has  caused  them,  as  was 
formerly  noticed,  to  be  named  Chenilles  Cochonnes 
by  French  naturalists,  because  the  head  and  neck 
bear  some  resemblance  to  a  pig's  snout.  These 
caterpillars  are  not  distinguished  by  great  brilliancy 
or  variety  of  colours,  being  chiefly  brown  and  green, 
with  a  white  lateral  line  extending  from  the  anal 
horn  to  the  third  or  fourth  segment,  and  they  have 
invariably  two  or  three  large  eye-like  spots  on  each 
side  either  of  the  second,  third,  fourth,  or  fifth 

*  From  fA<<ruvrov  tlie  front,    and    \l>iXog    attenuated,   slender. 
referring  to  the  form  of  the  caterpillar. 


METOPSILUS.  155 

segments.  The  caudal  horn  is  short,  very  slightly 
bent,  sometimes  almost  obsolete.  The  chrysalis  is 
enclosed  in  a  loose  cocoon  formed  of  leaves,  and  is 
never  buried  beneath  the  soil.  The  perfect  insects 
are  very  beautifully  coloured,  and  it  is  observable  that 
the  abdomen  is  always  longitudinally  or  obliquely 
striped,  an  arrangement  different  from  what  ob- 
tains in  the  two  preceding  genera,  which  have  that 
part  of  the  body  ornamented  with  transverse  bands 
sometimes  of  different  colours.  Viewed  in  relation 
to  the  form  of  the  larvae,  as  well  as  to  the  appearance 
of  the  perfect  insects,  the  species  which  we  have 
placed  together,  under  the  above  name,  form  a  very 
natural  group. 


156 


OLEANDER  HAWK-MOTH. 

Metopsilus  Nerii. 
PLATE  IX. 

Sphinx  Nerii,  Linn.—Rosers  Insecten-bdustigung,  vol.  iii.  tab.  XV. 
larva  xvi.  imago — Sphinx  du  Laurier-rose,  Godart ;  Pap. 
de  France,  vol.  iii.,  Crepuscidaires,  p.  12. 

THE  primary  wings  of  this  conspicuous  and  elegant 
species  expand  upwards  of  four  inches.  The  surface 
is  of  a  fine  deep  olive- green,  variously  shaded  with 
white  and  rose-colour,  distributed  in  undulating 
lines  and  transverse  streaks.  At  the  origin  of  each 
of  the  upper  wings  there  is  a  whitish  spot  with  a 
dot  in  the  centre  and  a  small  transverse  streak  of 
olive-green;  heyond  this  are  three  whitish  waved 
lines  running  somewhat  obliquely  across  the  surface, 
dilated  at  the  inner  margin  into  a  rose-coloured 
patch,  succeeded  by  a  broad  oblique  rosy  ban4 
extending  from  one  side  of  the  wing  to  the  other  : 
beyond  this  there  is  a  broad  patch  of  a  violet-colour 
bounded  anteriorly  by  a  white  zigzag  line,  and 
surmounted  by  two  whitish  curved  lines  drawn  to 
the  anterior  edge;  the  apex  bears  a  white  figure 
having  some  resemblance  to  the  letter  Y  reversed. 


OLEANDER  HAWK -MOTH.  157 

The  under  wings  are  dusky  from  the  base  nearly  to 
the  middle,  and  green  on  the  hinder  border,  the 
two  colours  separated  by  a  white  waved  band, 
extending  from  the  anal  angle  to  the  anterior  edge. 
The  thorax  is  deep  green,  with  a  pale  cross  line  in 
front ;  the  abdomen  likewise  green,  whitish  on  the 
first  and  second  segments,  and  having  oblique  olive- 
coloured  streaks  on  the  sides  of  the  others. 

When  the  caterpillar  is  full  grown,  it  is  green  01 
greyish-green,  with  the  four  anterior  segments  pale 
yellow ;  a  white  line  along  each  side,  extending  from 
the  fourth  segment  to  the  anal  horn  and  numerous 
white  dots  scattered  over  the  surface.  On  each 
side  of  the  third  segment  there  is  a  large  blue  eye- 
shaped  spot  with  a  double  white  pupil  and  a  black 
iris.  The  anal  horn,  which  is  short  and  decumbent, 
is  ochreous ;  the  anterior  legs  blue  ;  and  the  mem- 
branous ones  green  with  the  extremity  yellow.  The 
head  is  green,  the  stigmata  black  bordered  with 
yellow.  When  immature  the  colour  of  this  cater- 
pillar is  sometimes  a  pretty  uniform  ochreous  yellow, 
and  in  all  cases,  a  few  days  before  it  becomes  a 
pupa,  the  four  anterior  segments  and  the  anal  one 
assume  the  colour  just  mentioned,  while  the  re- 
maining parts  of  the  body  become  dusky  black,  the 
white  lateral  line,  dots,  and  ocellated  spots  always, 
however,  remaining  unchanged.  Its  appropriate 
food  is  the  leaves  of  the  shrub  named  Nerium 
oleander^  nor  has  it  recourse  to  any  other  when  that 
can  be  obtained.  As  that  plant,  however,  is  not  a 
native  of  this  country,  nor  of  the  north  of  Germany 


lb8  OLEANDER  HAWK-MOTH. 

and  some  other  parts  of  the  continent  where  the 
insect  is  found,  it  no  doubt  feeds  on  others  of  more 
common  occurrence,  perhaps,  as  has  been  conjec- 
tured, the  Vinca  major,  V.  minor,  or  some  species 
of  Cynanchum,  all  of  which  belong  to  the  same 
natural  family  of  Apocyneas* 

This  magnificent  moth,  which  we  have  now  the 
pleasure  to  figure  for  the  first  time  as  a  British 
species,  has  been  taken  at  least  on  two  different 
occasions  in  this  country;  once  in  the  yicinity  of 
Dover,  as  intimated  by  Mr.  Stephens  in  the  Ento- 
mological Magazine  for  October  1832 ;  and  a  second 
time,  in  the  larva  state,  in  a  garden  at  Teignmouth, 
Devon,  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year.t  As  the 
insect  is  occasionally  found  in  the  neighbouring 
continental  countries,  extending  as  far  northwards 
as  the  northern  regions  of  Germany,  the  propriety 
of  admitting  it  into  our  native  Fauna  cannot  be 
attended  with  the  same  doubts  that  apply  to  such 
kinds  as  have  their  principal  seat  in  the  new  world. 
It  is  strictly  a  European  species,  and  from  what  we 
know  of  its  occurrence  elsewhere,  it  might  reason- 
ably be  inferred  that  the  southern  parts  of  England 
should  fall  within  the  range  of  its  distribution.  It  is 
observed  from  time  to  time  in  the  vicinity  of  Paris, 
but  its  principal  resort  seems  to  be  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Genoa,  Turin,  and  Nice,  where  it  is  said  to 
be  common. 

*  London's  Mag.  of  Nat.  Hist.  v.  155. 
+  -Ent.  Mag.  ii.  p.  116. 


win; !f<l  ////;/•/•  ////////. 


J59 


SHARP-WINGED  HA^VK-MOTH 


Metopsilus 
PLATE  X. 

Sphinx  Celerio,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  vi.  PI.  190  and  191  __  Peile- 
phila  Celerio,  Stepliens. 

EXPANSION  of  the  wings  two  inches  eight  lines  IP 
the  male,  about  three  inches  in  the  female;  the 
upper  wings  greyish  inclining  to  brown,  marked 
with  black  lines  and  a  few  whitish  streaks,  and 
having  a  white  band  commencing  at  the  inner 
margin  near  the  base  and  terminating  in  a  point  at 
the  apex  ;  the  outer  margin  is  pale  grey,  and  there 
is  a  small  black  spot  on  the  disk  near  the  centre. 
The  surface  of  the  hinder  wings  is  deep  rose-colour 
at  the  base,  the  rest  greyish  slightly  tinged  with 
red,  with  two  oblique  black  bands,  between  which 
the  nervures  are  black  ;  the  hinder  margin  pale- 
grey.  The  body  is  brownish  on  the  back,  with  two 
white  streaks  from  the  anterior  part  of  the  head 
along  each  side  of  the  thorax  ;  the  latter  with  two 
additional  longitudinal  stripes  of  yellow  towards  the 
middle;  the  abdjmen  having  a  silvery  white  line 


160  SHARP-WINGED  HAWK-MOTH. 

down  the  centre,  and  a  row  of  small  spots  on  each 
side  of  it  from  the  third  segment  to  the  apex. 

The  caterpillar  varies  in  colour,  hut  is  most  com- 
monly brown,  with  two  yellow  lines  on  each  side, 
the  lower  one  composed  of  crescent-shaped  spots 
and  passing  over  the  stigmata,  the  other  com- 
mencing on  the  sixth  segment  and  extending  to 
the  hinder  extremity.  The  fourth  and  fifth  seg- 
ments are  ornamented  with  two  large  ocelli,  having 
a  white  pupil  and  a  yellow  iris.  The  ordinary 
food  of  this  larva  is  the  common  vine  ( Vitis  Vini- 
fera),  a  circumstance  which,  taken  in  connexion 
with  its  rare  occurrence  in  Britain,  has  occasioned 
<jonsiderable  doubts  as  to  its  being  an  aboriginal 
native  of  this  country.  On  the  continent,  however, 
it  is  known  likewise  to  feed  on  the  yellow  lady's- 
bedstraw  (Galium  v&rum),  and  it  is  not  improbable 
that  it  can  subsist,  like  the  majority  of  its  tribe,  on 
seveijal  other  plants.  At  the  same  time  it  appears 
properly  to  belong  to  a  southern  latitude,  as  it  is 
not  found  in  any  considerable  numbers  except  in 
the  south  of  Europe,  and  its  chief  residence  is  the 
island  of  Teneriffe  and  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  It 
has  occurred  near  Oxford,  Wisbeach,  in  the  Isle  of 
Ely,  and  a  few  other  places. 


ELEPHANT  HAWK-MOTH. 

Metopsilus  Elpenor. 
PLATE  XI.   Fig.  1. 

Sphinx  Elpenor,  Linn.;  Donovan,  iv.  PI.  122. — Deileph  Elpe- 
nor, Curtis,  Stephens. — Elephant,  Harris"*  Aurel.  PI.  vil— « 
The  Lady's-bedstraw  or  Elephant-moth,  Wilfos,  26. 

IN  this  species  the  wings  expand  from  two  inches 
to  two  and  three-quarters ;  the  upper  pair  olive- 
brown  inclining  to  olive-green,  with  the  anterior 
edge,  two  oblique  bands  (the  first  abbreviated),  and 
the  hinder  margin  rose-red  tinged  with  purple  and 
somewhat  shining ;  the  posterior  edge  is  white,  and 
there  is  a  minute  dot  of  that  colour  on  the  disk  of 
each.  The  hinder  wings  are  dusky  at  the  base  and 
reddish-purple  posteriorly,  the  fringe  pure  white, 
hat  of  the  anterior  wings  being  red.  The  body  is 
olivaceous  above,  with  numerous  stripes  of  deep 
rose-colour ;  one  over  each  eye,  four  curved  ones 
on  the  thorax,  and  another  down  the  back  of 
the  abdomen ;  the  sides  of  the  latter  and  the  belly 
are  likewise  rose-red  with  a  series  of  whitish  spots 
on  each  side  of  the  segments.  On  each  side  of  the 
abdomen,  towards  the  origin  of  the  secondary  wings 


162  ELEPHANT  HAWK-MOTH. 

there  is  a  rounded  dusky  spot,  and  a  mark  of  the 
same  colour  is  ohservahle  on  the  base  of  the  primary 
wings.  The  legs  are  white,  brownish  internally. 

After  the  second  change  of  skin  the  caterpillar  is 
brown,  with  six  oblique  rays  and  the  sides  of  the 
breast  greyish.  The  fourth  and  fifth  segments  have 
a  round  black  spot  on  each  side,  with  a  lunule  in 
the  centre,  the  edges  of  which  are  white  inclining  to 
violet,  and  the  middle  olive-brown.  When  young, 
the  whole  body  is  green,  a  colour  which  it  occa- 
sionally retains  throughout,  and  in  such  cases  the 
oblique  rays  are  black  instead  of  grey.  It  frequents 
different  kinds  of  willow  herb  (Epilobium),  lady's- 
bedstraw,  the  common  vine,  &c.  (PL  xi.  fig.  2.) 

This  is  by  far  the  most  common  species  of  Hawk- 
moth  inhabiting  Britain,  as  it  occurs  in  some  plenty 
in  most  parts  of  England,  especially  in  the  south, 
and  we  once  found  numerous  specimens  at  the 
base  of  Salisbury  Craigs  near  Edinburgh,  and  have 
seen  others  from  different  quarters  of  Scotland.  It 
is  likewise  a  well  known  insect  throughout  the  con- 
tinental parts  of  Europe. 


OF    THE 

UNI\7EESIT\7 


SMALL  ELEPHANT  HAWK-MOTH. 

Metopsilus  Porcellus. 
PLATE  XI.    Fig.  2. 

Sphinx  Porceilus,  Linn.;  Donovan*  be.  PJ.  314 Small    Eltv 

phant  Hawk-moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  16;  Harris — Deilcph.  Por- 
cellus, Curtis,  Stephens. 

THE  smallest  British  species  of  the  genus,  the  ex- 

)ansion  of  the  wings  heing  usually  about  twenty 
es.  The  upper  wings  are  chiefly  ochrey  yellow, 
variegated  with  purple,  the  outer  extremity  with  a 

)urple  hand  dentated  on  the  inner  side.  The  under 
wings  are  hlackish  anteriorly  and  purple  behind,  the 

ntermediate  space  yellowish ;  the  fringe  of  all  the 
wings  is  white,  with  a  few  irregular  purple  spots. 
The  body  is  entirely  deep  rose-colour  or  purplish, 

'he  back  occasionally  tinged  with  greenish-yellow. 

The  caterpillar  resembles  that  of  D.  Elper^or^ 
and  feeds  on  similar  plants,  the  yellow  lady's-bed- 
straw  and  narrow-leaved  willow  herb  ( E.  Angusti- 
folium),  being  its  favourite  repast.  It  is  sometimes 

greenish,  but  more  commonly  brown,  with  three 
ocelliform  spots  on  each  side,  having  a  white  pupil 

and  a  red  iris.  The  anal  horn  is  very  minute.  The 
moth  is  not  so  plentiful  as  the  preceding,  but  it  ha*. 


164  SMALL  ELEPHANT  HAWK- MOTH. 

occurred  in  so  many  different  localities,  that  it  must 
be  pretty  generally  distributed  over  England.  The 
neighbourhood  of  Birmingham,  Salisbury,  and  Lon- 
don, have  at  times  afforded  it  in  some  plenty. 


HUMMING-BIRD  HAWK-MOTH. 

Macroglossa  Stettatarum. 

PLATE  XII.   Fig.  1. 

Sphinx  Stellatarum,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  vii.  PI.  155. — Humming- 
bird Sphinx,  Harris"*  Aurel.  PI.  24 Macro.   Stellataram, 

Ochsen.,  Stephens. 

THE  present  genus  and  that  immediately  following, 
are  at  once  distinguished  from  the  other  Hawk- 
moths  by  having  a  tuft  of  scaly  hairs  at  the  extre- 
mity of  the  abdomen.  Macroglossa  is  further  cha- 
racterized by  having  the  short  abdomen  strongly 
tufted  on  the  sides,  the  wings  opaque,  and  the 
suctorial  trunk  of  great  length,  at  least  equal  to 
that  of  the  body, — a  circumstance  which  has  sug- 
gested the  generic  name*.  The  only  species  found 
in  Europe  is  that  represented  on  the  adjoining 
plate.  It  measures  from  twenty  to  twenty-four 
lines  between  the  tips  of  the  anterior  wings,  which 
are  of  a  dusky  brown,  with  several  transverse  waved 
bands,  most  of  them  obsolete,  except  two  near  the 
middle,  which  are  of  a  deep  black,  with  a  dot  of 
the  same  colour  in  the  space  between.  The  hinder 
*  From  fAotx^os,  long,  and  yXwrat,  the  tongue. 


•/  //,/«•/•  »/,////      i.G&rpOlar  ,y  /r 
»«>&.      1. Narrow  bordered Vvffavk  rrwti 


HUMMING-BIRD  HAWK-MOTH.  16o 

wings  are  rust-yellow,  slightly  suffused  with  dusky 
before  and  behind.  The  body  is  nearly  concoloroujs 
•with  the  upper  wings,  and  the  abdomen  is  variegated 
with  tufts  of  black  and  white  at  the  sides  of  the 
segments,  the  anal  tuft  being  black. 

The  ground  colour  of  the  caterpillar  is  green, 
sprinkled  with  numerous  white  points,  and  having 
two  white  rays  along  the  sides.     The  anal  horn  is 
rather  long  and  acute,  perfectly  straight,  yellowish 
|  at  the  tip  and  blue  at  the  base ;  the  membranous 
?  legs  each  marked  with  a  shining  black  lunuje,  the 
coronet  of  spines  of  a  rosy  tint.    (PL  xn.  fig.  2.) 
It  feeds  on  verticillate  or  stellate  plants  (whence 
!.  the  specific  name),  and  is  most  commonly  found  on 
lady's-bedstraw  and  goosegrass  (  Galiwm  verum  and 
G.  aparine).     It  sometimes  enters  the  earth  when 
about  to  be  transformed,  and  at  other  times  con- 
structs a  cocoon  on  the  surface,  composed  of  par- 
ticles of  earth,  pieces  of  leaves,  or  portions  of  the 
stems  of  plants. 

This  curious  insect  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in 
most  parts  of  England,  and  is  found  occasionally  in 
the  southern  and  even  the  more  northern  counties 
'of  Scotland.  It  frequents  gardens  and  cultivated 
grounds,  appearing  on  the  wing  in  the  morning  and 
afternoon,  and  concealing  itself  among  the  foliage 
during  the  heat  of  the  day.  It  darts  about  from 
flower  to  flower  with  amazing  rapidity,  and  poises 
itself,  like  a  Humming-bird,  over  the  blossoms,  tijj 
it  extracts  their  nectareous  juices  by  means  of  its 
)  long  spiral  proboscis.  "While  thus  suspended,  the 


166  HUMMING-BIRD  HAWK  MOTH. 

ribration  of  the  wings  is  so  rapid  as  to  occasion  a 
considerable  humming  noise,  whence  it  has  been 
termed  the  Humming-bird  Hawk-moth.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  agreeable  and  accurate  account  of  its 
manners : — "  The  Humming-bird  Hawk-moth  visits 
us  annually,  and  occasionally  in  some  numbers, 
frisking  about  all  the  summer  long,  and  in  very 
line  seasons  continues  with  us  as  late  as  the  second 
week  in  October.  The  vigilance  and  animation  of 
this  creature  are  surprising,  and  seem  to  equal  those 
of  its  namesake,  the  splendid  meteoric  bird  of  the 
tropics,  '  that  winged  thought,'  as  some  one  has 
called  it;  though  our  plain  and  dusky  insect  can 
boast  none  of  its  glorious  hues.  Our  little  sphinx 
appears  chiefly  in  the  mornings  and  evenings  of  the 
day,  rather  avoiding  the  heat  of  the  mid-day  sun, 
possibly  aroused  from  its  rest  by  the  scent,  that 
'  aromatic  soul  of  flowers,'  which  is  principally 
exhaled  at  these  periods ;  delighting  in  the  jasmine, 
marvel  of  Peru,  phlox,  and  such  tubular  flowers ; 
and  it  will  even  insert  its  long,  flexible  tube  into 
every  petal  of  the  carnation,  to  extract  the  honey- 
like  liquor  it  contains.  It  will  visit  our  geraniums 
and  greenhouse  plants,  and,  whisking  over  part  of 
them  with  contemptuous  celerity,  select  some  com- 
posite flower  that  takes  its  fancy,  and  examine  every 
tube  with  rapidity,  hovering  over  its  disk  with 
quivering  wings,  while  its  fine  hawk-like  eyes 
survey  all  surrounding  dangers.  The  least  move- 
ment alarms  it,  and  it  darts  away  with  the  speed  of 
an  arrow ;  yet  returns,  and  with  suspicious  vigilance 


HUMMING-BIJID  HAWK-MOTH.  167 

continues  its  employ,  feeding  always  on  the  wing. 
Nature  seems  to  have  given  this  creature  some 
essential  requisites  for  its  safety  ;  its  activity,  when 
on  the  wing,  renders  its  capture  difficult ;  and  when 
it  rests,  it  is  on  a  wall,  the  bark  of  a  tree,  or  some 
dusky  body,  that  assimilates  so  nearly  to  its  own 
colour,  as  to  render  it  almost  invisible,  though 
watched  to  its  settlement :  the  larva  is  seldom 
found.  We  sometimes  see  it  enter  our  rooms, 
attracted  by  flowers  in  the  open  windows ;  but  it 
seems  to  be  immediately  aware  of  its  danger,  dis- 
appears in  an  instant,  and  is  safe  from  capture. 
Wild  and  fearful  as  this  creature  is  by  nature,  yet 
continued  gentle  treatment  will  remove  much  of  its 
timidity  and  render  it  familiar  to  our  presence. 
Perfectly  free  from  any  annoyance  as  they  are  when 
ranging  from  sweet  to  sweet  on  my  borders,  and 
accustomed  to  a  close  inspection  of  all  their  opera- 
tions, I  have  frequently  touched  their  wings  with 
my  fingers,  while  hovering  over  a  flower,  and  dip- 
ping their  long  tubes  into  the  corolla  of  a  geranium  : 
they  would  retire  a  little,  confused  with  such  free- 
doms and  interruptions,  but,  experiencing  no  harm, 
they  would  return  and  finish  their  meal,  unmindful 
of  such  petty  annoyances.  I  have  known  this 
creature,  like  some  other  insects,  counterfeit  death 
when  apprehensive  of  danger,  fall  on  its  back,  and 
appear  in  all  respects  devoid  of  life  when  in  a  box ; 
and,  as  soon  as  a  fit  opportunity  arrived,  dart  away 
with  its  usual  celerity  *." 

*  Journal  of  a  Naturalist,  p.  284. 


168 


BROAD-BORDERED  BEE  HAWK-MOTH. 

-Siesta  Fudformis. 
PLATE  XII.    Fig.  3. 

Sphinx  Fuciformis,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  iii.  PI.  87 Sesia  Bom- 

byliformis,  Stephens'  Illus.  —  Clear-winged  Humming-bird 
Sphinx,  Harris. 

To  the  short  and  robust  body  of  the  preceding 
genus,  Sesia  adds  the  distinctive  character  of  clear 
transparent  wings ;  and  is  easily  distinguished  from 
the  two  following  genera,  with  which  it  has  this 
property  in  common,  by  the  ovate  hairy  abdomen 
and  sphinx-like  form,  as  well  as  by  the  caudal  horn 
of  the  caterpillar.  The  antennae  thicken  from  the 
base  nearly  to  the  apex,  which  terminates  in  an 
oblique  two-jointed  seta ;  and  the  proboscis  is  very 
long  and  spiral.  The  species  named  fuciformis, 
from  the  resemblance  of  the  body  to  that  of  a  drone- 
bee,  expands  from  eighteen  to  upwards  of  twenty 
lines.  The  colour  of  the  body  is  yellowish  or  olive- 
green,  the  third  and  fourth  segments  of  the  abdo- 
men deep-red,  and  the  two  following  yellow ;  the 
tuft  at  the  extremity  black  at  the  sides,  and  yellovr 
in  the  middle.  The  wings  are  vitreous  and  irides- 


BROAD-BORDERED  BEE  HAWK-MOTH.          169 

cent,  with  the  nervrires,  a  band  round  the  outer 
margin,  and  a  discoidal  streak  on  the  upper  pair, 
purplish-hrown ;  the  base  more  or  less  tinged  with 
green.  The  antennaa  are  blue-blacki 

The  caterpillar  feeds  on  the  honeysuckle  and 
yellow  bedstraw.  It  is  pale  green,  with  the  legs, 
under  side  of  the  body,  and  anal  horn,  reddish 
brown;  the  stigmata  black,  with  a  white  centre. 
The  perfect  insect  is  found  occasionally  in  Kent, 
Surrey,  Essex,  and  other  southern  counties,  and  was 
once  taken,  as  mentioned  by  Mr  Stephens,  in  con- 
siderable plenty  near  York,  by  W.  C.  Hewitson, 
Esq.  This  seems  to  be  nearly  its  northern  limit, 
as  neither  it  nor  the  following  species,  as  far  as  we 
know,  have  hitherto  been  detected  in  Scotland. 


170 


NARROW-BORDERED  BEE  HAWK-MOTH. 

Sesia  Bombyliformis. 
PLATE  XII.    Fig.  4. 

Sesia  Bombyliformis,  Fabr. ;   Haworth's  Lep.  Brit.  p.  68.—, 

Curtis'  B.  E.   i.  40 — Sesia  Fuciformis,  Stephens'  Illus 

Sphinx  Fuciformis,  Ochsen. 

IN  this  species,  which  is  about  the  same  size  as 
the  foregoing,  the  body  is  tawny-olive  inclining  to 
green,  the  second  and  third  segments  of  the  abdo- 
men nearly  black,  and  the  two  following  bright 
orange,  the  anal  tuft  black  at  the  sides  and  orange 
in  the  middle.  The  wings  are  narrowly  edged  with 
dark-brown,  the  rest  of  the  surface  vitreous  and 
transparent,  the  anterior  pair  without  any  discoi- 
dal  streak.  The  antennas  are  glossed  with  blue. 

When  young,  the  caterpillars  have  a  few  branched 
spines  on  each  segment,  but  as  they  increase  in 
size  these  disappear.  The  colour  varies  much,  but 
is  most  commonly  green,  with  a  pale  line  on  each 
side  surmounted  by  a  purple  one ;  and  most  of  the 
segments  have  an  oblique  purple  stripe  over  the 
stigmata.  It  feeds  on  the  devil's-bit  scabious  (Sca- 
biosa  succisa)  and  some  other  plants.  It  is  a  rare 


;.-  | 


' 

: 

• 


"-'-     T/ 

•^  ;3> 


NARROW-BORDERED  BEE  HAWK-MOTH.         171 

insect  in  this  country,  but  has  been  found  in  some 
plenty  in  one  or  two  places,  and  occasionally  in 
others.  Mr.  Curtis  mentions  Enborne,  near  New- 
bury,  Berkshire,  as  one  of  its  localities,  and  it  is 
said  by  Mr.  Stephens  to  have  been  taken  in  the 
New  Forest. 


BEE  CLEAR-WING. 

Trochilium  Apiforme. 
PLATE  XIII.    Fig.  I. 

Sphinx  Apiformis,  Linn.  ;  Donovan,  i.  PI.  25  ;  Linn.  Trans. 

iii.   PI.  3.  figs.  1* — 5. — JEgeria  Apiformis,  Leach Hofnet- 

moth,  Harris"1  Expos.  PI.  3,  fig.  7. — Trochilium  Apiforme, 
Curtis"  B.  E.  viii.  372. 

THE  two  genera  which  next  present  themselves  to 
our  notice  constitute  the  family  of  the  ^Egeridse. 
Their  affinity  to  the  Sesise  will  at  once  be  traced  in 
the  transparency  and  similar  neuration  of  the  wings, 
while  the  absence  of  the  anal  horn  in  the  caterpillar 
evinces  a  considerable  aberration  from  that  group, 
as  well  as  from  the  typical  structure  of  the  Sphin- 
gidse.  They  possess  a  pair  of  simple  eyes,  or  stem- 
mata,  placed  on  the  hinder  part  of  the  head,  similar 
to  what  are  observed  in  many  Hymenoptera  and 
Diptera.  Other  points  of  analogy  to  the  insects 
just  named  may  be  discovered,  and  this  general 
resemblance  is  attempted  to  be  indicated  by  naming 


172  BEE  CLEAR-WING. 

the  ^Egeridse  after  the  kinds  to  which  they  are 
thought  to  make  the  nearest  approach.  They  fly 
during  the  heat  of  the  day,  many  of  them  with 
great  rapidity,  and  alight  upon  the  flowers  from 
which  they  extract  their  nourishment.  All  of  them 
are  rather  scarce  insects  in  this  country,  with  the 
exception  of  the  little  IE.  Tipuliformis,  which  is 
plentiful  in  gardens  in  many  parts  of  England,  hut 
does  not  seem  to  come  far  north.  The  larvae,  which 
are  soft,  fleshy,  and  of  a  pale  colour,  subsist  on  the 
pith  and  wood  of  trees  and  shrubs,  in  the  interior 
of  which  they  also  undergo  their  metamorphosis. 
The  cell  is  constructed  so  near  the  surface  as  to 
leave  only  a  thin  exterior  covering,  and  when  the 
chrysalis  is  matured,  it  pushes  itself  through  this 
frail  barrier,  chiefly  by  the  aid  of  a  series  of  fine 
spines  on  the  abdomen  inclining  backwards,  which 
serve,  when  the  body  is  agitated,  as  a  point  of  sup- 
port for  advancing  the  head,  which  terminates  in  a 
point  to  make  the  perforation  more  easy.  Trochi- 
lium  is  chiefly  distinguished  by  the  shortness  of  the 
proboscis  and  antennae,  the  latter  being  slightly 
serrated  and  terminating  in  a  tuft  of  hair ;  by  the 
transparency  of  the  tip  of  the  anterior  wings,  and 
the  comparatively  thick  and  robust  body.  The 
species  named  Afiform*  (from  its  resemblance  to 
a  bee),  is  yellow  on  the  head ;  the  thorax  brown, 
•with  four  yellow  spots,  the  two  anterior  ones  large 
and  triangular,  the  posterior  two  smaller  and  rounded. 
The  abdomen  is  yellow,  with  the  first  and  fourth 
segments  black  and  clothed  with  brown  pubescence 


BEE  CLEAR- WING.  173 

the  others  edged  with  black,  the  fifth  and  the  poste- 
rior two  brown  on  the  back  and  having  a  line  of 
the  same  colour  on  the  sides.  All  the  wings  are 
transparent,  with  the  edges,  the  nervures,  and  a 
transverse  stripe  on  the  primary  pair  rust-brown; 
the  fringe  tawny -brown.  The  thighs  are  yellow  on 
the  outer  side  and  dusky  internally,  the  rest  of  the 
leg  yellow. 

The  caterpillar  is  pubescent  and  whitish,  having 
a  dusky  line  along  the  back  and  a  dark-brown  head. 
It  lives  in  the  stem  and  roots  of  willow  and  poplar 
trees.  Its  perfect  insect  likewise  frequents  these 
trees,  and  is  riot  scarce  in  certain  situations ;  such 
as  Epping  Forest,  Coombe  Wood,  &c.  It  is  usually 
found  in  June  and  July. — Only  one  other  species 
besides  the  above  seems  to  inhabit  Britain,  viz. 
T.  crabroniforme,  Hornet  Clear-wing,  which  has 
the  head  and  thorax  brown,  the  latter  with  a  rust- 
brown  spot  on  each  side  behind,  and  the  abdomen 
cinctured  with  two  black  bands. 


174 


BREEZE  CLEAR-UNDERWING. 

JEgeria  Asiliformis. 
PLATE  XIII.  Fig,  2. 

Sphinx  Asiliformis,  Donovan,  xi.  PL  384  __  Sesia  (Estrifonnis, 
Kirby  and  Spencers  Intro,  i.  PI.  iii.  fig.  2  __  jEgeria  Asilifor- 
mis, Fabr.,  Stephens,  Curtis. 


has  rather  long  antennae,  very  slender  at 
the  hase,  and  thickening  gradually  almost  to  the 
tip,  which  terminates  in  a  minute  joint  bearing  a 
tuft  of  hair.  The  suctorial  trunk  is  likewise  of 
considerable  length  ;  and  the  palpi,  which  are  tri- 
articulate  and  densely  clothed  with  hairs  and  scales, 
stand  out  from  the  head  and  diverge  from  each 
other.  The  abdomen  is  slender  and  cylindric,  and 
terminates  in  a  slightly  trilobed  anal  tuft.  Nearly 
a  dozen  different  kinds  are  included  in  our  indi- 
genous lists,  of  which  one  of  the  most  conspicuous 
is  that  of  which  the  synonymy  has  been  given 
above.  It  differs  from  all  the  rest,  in  having  the 
superior  wings  opaque  or  almost  entirely  clothed 
with  scales  :  the  body  is  blue-black,  somewhat 
shining,  the  head  with  two  white  spots  before  the 
eyes  and  a  yellow  belt  behind  ;  the  thorax  with  a 
yellow  mark  on  each  side,  and  a  point  of  the  same 
colour  at  the  origin  of  the  primary  wings  ;  the 


BREEZE  CLEAR- ITNDERWING.  175 

abdomen  with  three  yellow  belts  at  equal  distances 
from  each  other.  The  anal  tuft  is  deep  black  with 
wo  yellow  longitudinal  lines ;  the  thighs  dark  blue, 
the  rest  of  the  leg  yellow,  the  tibias  having  a  black 
spot  on  the  outer  side.  The  above  description 
applies  in  part  only  to  the  female ;  the  male  is  dis- 
tinguished by  having  pectinate  antennas,  and  four 
yellow  belts  on  the  abdomen. 

It  is  a  scarce  insect  in  northern  countries.  It  has 
been  occasionally  taken  in  the  vicinity  of  London, 
and  several  other  places  in  the  south  of  England. 
It  frequents  poplars,  both  in  its  winged  and  reptile 
fltato. 


BLACK  AND  WHITE  HORNED  CLEAR-WING. 

JEgeria  Spheciformis. 
PLATE  XIIT.   Fig.  3. 

Sphinx  Spheciformis,   Esper  ;    Hubner. — Sesia  Sphegiformis, 
Fabr. — jEgeria  Spheciformis,  Curtis^  Stephens,  &c. 

EXPANSION  of  the  wings  about  thirteen  or  fourteen 
lines ;  the  general  colour  of  the  body  glossy-black, 
the  thorax  with  a  yellow  longitudinal  line  on  each 
side,  and  a  spot  of  the  same  colour  on  the  sides  of 
the  breast ;  the  abdomen  with  a  yellow  belt  on  the 
third  ring  above,  and  another  on  the  fifth  beneath  ; 
there  is  likewise  a  yellow  spot  on  the  surface  of  the 


176     BLACK  AND  WHITE  HORNED  CLEAR-WING. 

basal  segment.  The  wings  are  transparent ;  the 
upper  pair  with  the  nervures,  the  margin,  the  apex, 
and  a  broad  transverse  stripe  not  far  from  it,  blue- 
black  ;  the  posterior  pair  having  the  hinder  edge, 
the  nervures,  and  a  cross  mark  near  the  middle  of 
the  anterior  edge,  likewise  blue-black.  The  fringe 
of  the  wings  is  brownish-ash.  The  thighs  and 
tibiae  are  blue-black,  the  former  yellow  externally 
in  the  fore-pair;  the  tarsi  yellow,  sprinkled  with 
black ;  antennae  yellowish- white  at  the  apex. 

Still  rarer  than  the  preceding,  both  in  this  country 
and  on  the  continent.  The  few  British  examples 
preserved  in  cabinets  have  been  found  chiefly  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  London  and  in  the  Isle  of  Wight. 
It  frequents  birch-trees,  on  the  wood  of  which  the 
larvae  probably  feed. 


.(UNIVERSITY 


RUBY-FLY  CLEAR-WING. 

JEgeria  Chrysidiformis. 
PLATE  XIII.    Fig.  4. 

Sphinx  Chryeidiformis,  Fiery  Clear-wing,  Haworth,  69  ; 

Hvbner. 

CONSIDERABLY  less  than  either  of  the  preceding, 
the  extent  of  the  wings  seldom  exceeding  ten  lines. 
The  colour  of  the  body  is  bluish-black,  the  forehead 
and  collar  yellowish-white,  the  thorax  having  a 
single  white  point  at  the  insertion  of  the  wings, 
and  the  abdomen  two  white  belts,  one  on  the  fifth, 
the  other  on  the  terminal  segment.  The  anal  tuft 
is  black  at  the  sides  and  reddish-yellow  in  the 
middle  ;  the  thighs  blue-black,  whitish  externally, 
except  in  the  hinder  pair,  the  rest  of  the  leg  yellow. 
The  anterior  edge,  apex,  and  nervures  of  the  upper 
wings,  as  well  as  a  cross  mark  in  the  centre,  are 
black  ;  a  triangular  area  extending  from  the  base  to 
the  central  mark,  and  a  rounded  space  beyond  it, 
are  clear  hyaline,  the  remainder  of  the  surface  being 
bright  yellowish-red  ;  the  hinder  wings  are  also 
hyaline,  with  a  minute  black  spot  bordered  with 
red  in  the  middle  of  the  anterior  edge. 

1C 


178  RUBY-FLY  CLFAR-WING. 

Although  an  abundant  species  in  the  northern 
parts  of  France  and  in  Germany,  only  one  instance 
is  recorded  of  this  insect  having  been  taken  in 
Britain ;  it  was  found  by  a  very  indefatigable  col- 
lector, and  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Haworth. 


We  now  come  to  the  extensive  tribe  named 
LEPIDOPTERA  NOCTURNA,  or  Moths,  which  form 
the  third  great  division  of  the  class.  For  an  account 
of  their  distinctive  properties  and  general  history, 
which  embraces  many  curious  and  interesting  sub- 
jects of  inquiry,  reference  may  be  made  to  the 
introductory  portion  of  the  volume,  in  which  we 
nave  attempted  to  present  what  seems  most  de- 
serving of  notice  in  relation  to  them. 


1.  Granite  Swift       - 


(<i/frjii/J,ir  nf-'  /J". 


UNIVERSITY 


ORANGE  SWIFT. 

Hypialus  Syhinus, 
PLATE  XIV.   Fig.  1. 

C'urtis,  iv.  PI.  185.—  Ph.  Noc.  Sylvina,  Linn  —  Hep.  Crux. 
Pabr.  —  Hep.  Lupulinus,  Haw.  —  Orange  or  Evening  Swift, 
Harris*  Aurel. 

THE  group  to  which  the  above  named  species  be- 
longs, distinguished  by  a  term  which  Aristotle 
applied  to  some  nocturnal  insect*,  may  not  impro- 
perly be  regarded  as  a  connecting  link  between  the 
Sphingida3  and  moths  properly  so  called.  In  the 
structure  of  the  mouth,  and  of  several  other  parts, 
they  bear  considerable  resemblance  to  some  of  the 
preceding  genera,  and  the  manners  and  economy  of 
the  caterpillar  are  analogous  to  those  of  the  jEgeriae 
and  Zygaenae  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the  perfect 
insects  do  not  differ  materially  in  their  habits  from 
the  tribes  with  which  they  are  associated.  About 
half  a  dozen  distinct  kinds  inhabit  Britain,  of  which 
the  best  known  is  that  termed  the  Ghost-moth 
(H.  Humuli).  The  male  of  this  species  is  of  a 

*  Mo).of    «•*£!    rev    *.v%vot    Tircuirtf,   Hist.   Anim»    lib.  ft 
cap.  27. 


180  ORANGE  SWIFT. 

pure  satiny  white,  having  all  the  wings  margined 
with  yellow ;  hut  the  female  is  entirely  of  the  latter 
colour,  with  various  spots  and  streaks  of  deep  hrown 
on  the  anterior  wings.  The  female  is  much  less 
frequently  ohserved  on  the  wing  than  the  opposite 
sex,  and  when  the  latter  has  discovered  the  place 
of  her  retreat,  he  hovers  over  it  with  a  peculiar 
motion,  not  ohservahle  in  any  other  moth ;  it  is  a 
very  irregular  kind  of  flight,  consisting  of  alternate 
risings  and  fallings,  accompanied  with  rapid  zigzag 
movements  from  side  to  side,  confined  to  a  space 
not  exceeding  a  few  feet  in  circumference.  This 
singular  vacillating  motion,  restricted  for  a  while  to  a 
limited  spot,  which  it  seems  to  haunt,  together  with 
its  snow-white  vestments  and  time  of  appearance, 
have  no  doubt  been  the  cause  of  some  fanciful  ob- 
server denominating  this  creature  the  "  Ghost-moth/' 
It  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  the  caterpillar 
subsisting  on  the  common  Burdock,  when  its  more 
favourite  food  the  Hop  is  not  to  be  obtained.  All 
the  species,  when  caterpillars,  feed  on  the  roots  of. 
plants.  Previous  to  their  change,  they  bury  them- 
selves in  the  ground,  and  construct  an  oval  cell,  the 
walls  of  which  are  composed  of  particles  of  earth 
?md  grains  of  sand,  held  together  by  an  interlacement 
of  silken  threads.  The  female  moth  lays  a  great 
number  of  eggs,  which  are  not  for  security  aggluti- 
nated to  some  stable  object,  as  among  the  greater 
number  of  Lepidoptera,  but  are  ejected  in  rapid 
succession  from  the  oviduct  with  a  kind  of  elastic 
force  which  throws  them  to  some  distance.  .They 


ORANGE  SW;FT.  ]81 

are  dry  and  unadhesive,  and  though  white  when  first 
discharged,  they  soon  acquire  a  black  colour  which 
makes  them  exactly  resemble  grains  of  gunpowder. 

In  some  of  the  species  a  peculiarity  is  observable 
in  the  structure  of  the  hinder  legs.  In  the  male  of 
H.  Humuli  these  members  are  fumished  with  a 
dense  tuft  of  very  long  hairs  which  has  been  con- 
jectured with  some  appearance  of  probability  to  be 
partly  the  cause  of  its  peculiar  undulating  flight. 
In  the  same  sex  of  H.  Hectus,  the  entire  tarsus  is 
wanting  in  the  hinder  legs,  and  the  tibia  is  tufted 
in  a  similar  manner.  These  insects  may  be  distin- 
guished generically  by  the  shortness  of  the  antennae, 
which  are  usually  granulated  (in  some  cases,  how- 
ever, they  are  slightly  serrated),  and  not  so  long  as 
the  thorax,  and  by  the  want  of  palpi  and  maxillaa. 
The  females  are  usually  largest,  and  dissimilar  to 
the  male  in  colour  and  markings.  The  latter  sex, 
in  the  species  figured,  is  of  a  fulvous  colour,  the 
upper  wings  variegated  with  chestnut  and  marked 
with  white  lines,  one  of  them  near  the  base  placed 
oUiquely,  and  forming  a  right  angle  with  another 
at  the  interior  margin  which  extends  nearly  to  the 
apex  ;  there  is  a  small  triangular  dusky  spot  on  the 
disk.  The  female  is  brown,  with  a  whitish  patch 
at  the  base  of  the  upper  wings. 

It  is  found  occasionally  in  many  parts  of  England, 
in  the  months  of  August  and  September. 


182 


GOAT-MOTH. 

Cossus  Ligniperda. 
PLATE  XIV.   Fig.  2. 

Plial.  Bom.  Cossus,  Linn. ;  Donovan,  iv.  PL  1 1 4 — Cossus  Lig- 
niperda, Fabr. ;  Curtis"  B.  E.  ii.  PL  60.— Goat-moth,  Witke^, 
PL  31. ;  Yarns'  Aurd.  PL  23. 

ANTENNA  the  length  of  the  thorax,  pectinated  in- 
ternally ;  two  distinct,  three  jointed  palpi ;  and  the 
size  of  the  upper  wings,  which  are  much  larger  than 
the  under  pair,  afford  marks  sufficient  to  distinguish 
this  conspicuous  genus.  The  figure  referred  to  re- 
presents the  only  species  known  to  inhabit  Europe. 
The  expansion  of  the  wings  is  from  three  inches  to 
three  inches  and  a  half;  the  colour  of  the  superior 
pair  ashy-white,  clouded  with  brown,  and  marked 
with  numerous  narrow  black  streaks,  which  are 
waved  and  frequently  cross  each  other,  forming  irre- 
gular meshes ;  hinder  wings  brown,  with  faint  re- 
ticular  streaks  posteriorly.  The  head  and  back  of 
the  thorax  are  brown,  the  latter  ochre-yellow  in 
front  and  whitish  behind,  with  a  transverse  band 
of  black ;  the  abdomen  brown,  each  segment  bor- 
dered behind  with  greyish- white. 


GOAT-MOTH.  183 

The  caterpillar,  which  is  said  sometimes  to  attain 
a, size  exceeding  that  of  the  Death's-head-moth,  is 
of  a  lurid  red,  slightly  tinged  with  dull  yellow,  and 
having  a  patch  of  chestnut-red  on  the  back  of  each 
segment.  The  head  is  entirely  black,  and  there  are 
two  triangular  spots  of  the  same  colour  just  behind 
it.  (PL  xiv.  fig.  3.)  It  does  not  consume  the  foliage 
of  trees,  like  so  many  other  caterpillars,  but  derives 
its  nutriment  from  the  solid  wood,  which  it  readily 
comminutes  by  the  action  of  its  jaws.  By  means  of 
these  powerful  organs,  it  mines  its  way  through  the 
stem  of  the  most  healthy  tree,  to  the  material  injury 
of  its  vital  functions,  and,  by  forming  numerous 
galleries  in  all  directions  which  admit  air  and  mois  - 
ture,  often  occasions  a  rapid  decay.  As  this  creature 
lives  for  a  longer  time  than  is  assigned  to  most  other 
larvae,  these  destructive  operations  are  continued  for 
a  lengthened  period,  three  years  being  the  space  that 
usually  elapses  before  it  becomes  a  chrysalis.  Pre- 
paratory to  undergoing  this  change,  it  scoops  out  a 
hollow  in  the  tree,  which  it  lines  with  a  warm  fa- 
bric composed  of  the  raspings  of  the  wood  and  layers 
of  strong  silk.  In  this  well  protected  dormitory  the 
chrysalis  reposes  for  a  longer  or  shorter  time  accord- 
ing to  circumstances,  and  when  the  inclosed  fly  is 
fully  matured,  the  difficult  task  awaits  the  former 
of  transporting  itself  to  the  surface,  as  it  is  impos- 
sible for  the  moth  to  emerge  and  develope  its  wings 
either  in  the  narrow  cell  or  the  perforations  that 
lead  to  it.  This  is  accomplished  chiefly  by  means 
of  a  series  of  small  spinous  projections  arming  the 


184  GOAT-MOTH. 

hinder  edge  of  the  abdominal  segments,  which,  when 
one  side  of  the  rings  is  moved  forward  by  the  wrig- 
gling of  the  abdomen,  prevent  their  sliding  back, 
and  the  opposite  side  is  brought  forward  by  a  repe- 
tition of  the  same  manoeuvre.  The  caterpillar  dif- 
fuses a  subtile  and  very  peculiar  odour,  which  is 
felt  at  a  considerable  distance,  and  from  its  sup- 
posed resemblance  to  that  of  a  goat,  has  caused  the 
insect  to  be  so  named.  "  The  object  and  seat  of 
this  odour,"  says  Mr.  Knapp,  "  seem  not  well  un- 
derstood. Some  have  conjectured  it  to  proceed 
from  a  fluid  evacuated  from  the  mouth,  and  dis- 
charged to  soften  the  wood  in  which  they  burrow. 
But  it  seems  inconsistent  with  any  probability,  that 
this  creature,  which  is  furnished  with  such  very 
powerful  mandibles,  should  be  gifted  with  an  auxi- 
liary aid  to  accomplish  its  object;  while,  of  the 
many  insects  that  perforate  timber,  most  of  them 
with  inferior  means,  no  other  possesses  an  equiva- 
lent agent  to  facilitate  its  labours ;  for  not  one  of 
them,  as  far  as  we  know,  is  so  supplied.  Besides, 
if  such  were  the  purpose,  the  discharge  would  be 
made  only  when  required,  and  thus  this  unpleasant 
odour  not  always  be  perceptible.  The  microscope, 
too,  does  not  manifest  the  exudation  of  any  fluid*." 
This  caterpillar  attaches  itself  chiefly  to  oaks, 
ashes,  willows,  and  poplars.  It  abounds  in  many 
parts  of  England,  but  the  moth  does  not  occur  in 
any  thing  like  proportionate  numbers.  Although 
the  appearance  of  the  caterpillar  is  disgusting  to 
*  Journal  of  a  Naturalist,  295. 


•  ' '  •  •  •  •  1 

•  !  v,,,::. ...  \          \\ 


1.  '\\'nn,l  leopardsMoth  -'  2  Cateryittar  qf  I)*     r,.  //////  / 


GOAT-MOTH.  1 85 

many  from  its  large  size,  livid  hue,  and  disagreeable 
smell,  several  authors  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  the 
Cosws  of  Pliny,  and  consequently  the  worm  regarded 
by  the  Romans  as  a  delicious  article  of  food.  It 
may  also  be  mentioned,  that  it  is  remarkable  as 
having  been  the  subject  of  a  most  elaborate  and  ac- 
curate anatomical  examination  by  the  celebrated 
Lyonet,  the  results  of  which  were  published  under 
the  title  of  Traite  Anatomique  de  la  Chenille  du 
Saide,  a  work  that  lias  advanced  our  acquaintance 
mth  the  internal  structure  of  insects  more  than  any 
other  that  could  be  named. 


WOOD  LEOPARD-MOTH. 

Zeuzera  jEscidi. 
PLATE  XV.    Fig.  1. 

Latreille,  Stepliens*  Illus. — Phal.  Noct.  TEsculi,  Linn.  ;  Dono- 

van,  v.  PI.  152 Cossus  ^scuU,  Fabr Wood  Leopaxd- 

moth,  Harris. 

THIS  genus  was  first  established  by  Latreille,  who 
gives  as  its  distinguishing  characters  the  setaceous 
form  of  the  antennae,  which  are  not  so  long  as  the 
thorax,  and  pectinated  at  the  base  in  the  males, 
while  in  the  female  they  are  simple,  with  the  base 
tomentose.  The  palpi  are  obsolete,  the  abdomen 
long  and  attenuated,  and  the  tibiao  without  spurs  or 
spines.  The  beautiful  species  represented  on  the 


186  WOOD  LEOPARD-MOTH. 

adjoining  plate  is  of  a  snowy-white :  the  wings 
very  sparingly  clothed  with  scales,  and  the  nervures 
yellowish;  the  whole  surface  rather  thickly  sprinkled 
with  dark-blue  spots,  which  are  largest  in  the 
female.  The  posterior  wings  are  white  at  the  inner 
angle  and  very  faintly  spotted  at  the  hase,  hut 
there  is  a  distinct  row  of  spots  round  the  hinder 
margin.  The  abdomen  is  nearly  covered  with 
down,  of  a  dark-hlue  colour.  The  wings  of  the 
male  usually  expand  about  two  inches,  but  those  of 
the  female  frequently  exceed  two  inches  and  three- 
quarters. 

The  caterpillar  lives  in  the  interior  of  trees,  and 
seems  to  frequent  indiscriminately  most  of  the  kinds 
that  grow  in  this  country.  It  is  of  a  light  yellow 
colour,  with  a  double  series  of  black  spots  across 
each  segment.  The  head  is  strong  and  wedge- 
shaped,  well  fitted  to  work  its  way  through  decom- 
posing wood,  and  the  segment  immediately  suc- 
ceeding it  is  protected  by  a  scaly  plate  of  a  black 
colour.  (PL  xv.  fig.  2.)  Preparatory  to  its  be- 
coming a  pupa,  it  encloses  itself  in  a  cell  composed 
of  triturated  particles  of  wood,  cemented  by  a  kind 
of  glutinous  substance.  The  moth  emerges  in 
July.  It  is  by  no  means  of  frequent  occurrence  in 
this  country,  although  it  has  been  found  in  many 
different  places.  In  some  seasons  it  has  been 
noticed  rather  plentifully  in  the  vicinity  of  London, 
also  in  Cambridge,  Norfolk,  Surrey,  Essex,  &c. 


187 


BUFF-TIP  MOTH. 


PLATE  XV.    Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Bom.  Bucephala,  Linn. ;  Donovan*  i.  Pi.  3  (?.— Phalaena 
Limula,  De  Geer. — Buff-tip  Moth,  WUkes,  PI.  43 ;  Ham? 
Aurel.  PI.  39. 

IN  PYG^RA  the  antennae  are  rather  long,  appearing 
bipectinated  in  the  male,  as  each  joint  emits  a 
double  tuft  of  ciliae  on  each  side ;  the  apex,  how- 
ever, is  simple,  as  is  the  case  with  the  whole  an- 
tenna in  the  female.  The  palpi  are  short,  consisting 
of  only  two  joints ;  and  the  thorax  has  a  crest  or 
strong  ridge  of  hairs  on  the  back.  The  hinder 
margin  of  the  anterior  wings  is  dentate.  The  only 
British  example  is  named  the  Buff-tip  Moth,  on 
account  of  a  large  patch  of  that  colour  on  the  apex 
of  the  anterior  wings.  The  latter  expand  about 
two  inches  and  a  half,  and  when  the  insect  is  at 
rest  they  are  almost  folded  round  the  body.  They 
are  of  a  light  brown  colour,  thickly  powdered, 
especially  towards  the  base,  with  silvery  scales,  and 
each  of  them  having  a  large  rounded  yellow  spot  on 
the  tip,  slightly  clouded  with  ochre-yellow  exter- 


188  BUFF-TJP  MOTH. 

nally,  and  bounded  on  the  inner  side  by  two  parallel 
rust-coloured  lines,  which  are  continued  to  the 
inner  edge  of  the  wing :  before  the  middle  there  is 
likewise  a  double  transverse  rusty  line,  and  a  single 
blackish  one  near  the  base.  The  fringe  is  yellowish, 
variegated  with  rust-red,  and  preceded  by  a  con- 
tinuous series  of  small  crescent-shaped  marks  of  the 
latter  colour.  The  under  wings  are  entirely  yel- 
lowish-white above,  with  a  faint  dusky  suffusion  on 
the  disk.  The  thorax,  which  is  very  wide  and 
strong,  is  ochrey-yellow,  surrounded  with  two  pa- 
rallel lines  of  dark  rust-red.  The  abdomen  is 
nearly  of  the  same  colour  as  the  under  wings,  and 
has  a  row  of  dusky  marks,  one  on  each  segment,  on 
both  sides. 

The  caterpillars  are  blackish  when  young,  but 
when  full  grown  they  are  yellow,  with  numerous 
longitudinal  black  stripes  on  each  segment  inter- 
rupted at  the  incisures ;  the  head  is  likewise  black, 
as  well  as  the  outer  side  of  the  legs.  (PL  xv.  fig.  4.) 
It  is  a  gregarious  larva,  and  consumes  the  leaves  of 
the  elm  (particularly  the  wych  elm),  the  beech,  the 
oak,  the  lime,  and  the  willow.  By  thus  feeding  in 
company,  they  often  strip  a  tree  of  a  large  portion 
of  its  foliage  in  a  very  short  time.  When  newly 
excluded  from  the  egg,  they  arrange  themselves 
side  by  side,  in  considerable  detachments,  and  com- 
mencing at  one  end  of  a  leaf,  eat  their  way  to  the 
other,  consuming  the  parenchyma  or  pulpy  sub- 
stance only  half-way  through.  Having  attained 
their  full  growth,  which  is  usually  the  case  by 


BUFF  TIP  MOTH.  J89 

September,  they  permit  themselves  to  drop  to  the 
ground,  into  which  they  burrow,  and  change  into  a 
dark-brown  pupa.  The  insect  is  an  abundant  one 
in  the  vicinity  of  London,  and  in  many  other  parts 
of  England,  but  it  appears  to  be  somewhat  scarce 
in  Scotland  and  other  more  northern  places.  "  Larva 
very  common  on  the  chestnut  in  Dumfries-shire." 
Sir  W.  Jardine,  Bart. 


PUSS-MOTH. 

Cerura  VinuLa. 

PLATE  XVI.   Fig.  1. 

Plial.  Bomb.  Vinula,  Linn. ;  Donovan,  iii.  PI.  85.— Cerura 
Vmula,  Shrank  ;  Stephens,  &c — Puss-moth,  Wtikes*  PI  29  • 
Harris''  Aurel.  PI.  38. 

THIS  well-defined  genus  may  be  readily  recognized 
by  its  somewhat  diaphanous  wings,  its  bipectinated 
antenna?,  and  the  presence  of  four  minute  palpi. 
The  trunk  is  short  and  nearly  straight.  The  anterior 
tibia?  are  furnished  with  an  unusual  appendage,  in 
the  form  of  a  long  compressed  lobe,  attached  to  the 
inner  side  near  the  base.  Nine  British  species  have 
been  described,  of  which  that  which  we  have  figured 
s  by  far  the  most  conspicuous.  The  expansion  of  the 
wings  is  about  three  inches,  the  male  usually  some- 


1 90  PUSS-MOTH. 

what  less.  The  anterior  wings  are  greyish  white  (the 
latter  colour  predominating  in  the  male),  somewhat 
naked  and  diaphanous,  especially  towards  the  tip, 
the  nervures  strongly  marked  and  of  a  yellowish- 
hrown.  The  costa  is  spotted  with  black ;  near  the 
base  are  two  transverse  approximating  rows  of 
similar  spots,  beyond  this  a  waved  dusky  band,  fol- 
lowed by  two  other  rows  of  spots,  rather  indistinctly 
marked :  near  the  centre  there  is  a  series  of  arcuate 
streaks  extending  in  an  oblique  line  across  the 
wing,  the  anterior  one  being  largest  and  darkest, 
and  the  space  beyond  is  occupied  with  two  dusky 
zigzag  lines,  the  hinder  margin  having  a  longitudinal 
dusky  streak  between  each  nervure.  The  hinder 
wings  are  ashy-brown,  whitish  round  the  edge, 
especially  in  the  male,  having  an  obscure  crescent  on 
the  disk  and  a  few  dark  spots  on  the  posterior 
margin.  The  thorax  and  abdomen  are  ashy- white, 
the  former  with  a  few  scattered  black  spots,  the  latter 
with  black  marks  at  the  base  of  the  segments.  The 
region  of  the  eyes  is  deep  black,  and  the  tarsi  are 
likewise  of  that  colour  and  prettily  ringed  with 
white. 

The  caterpillar  of  this  insect  is  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  found  in  this  country,  and  its  form  and 
attitudes  are  so  grotesque  that  it  seldom  fails  to 
attract  the  notice  even  of  the  'most  indifferent  ob- 
servers. When  at  rest,  it  holds  its  large  and 
singular  looking  head  somewhat  elevated  and  drawn 
back  upon  the  anterior  segments  of  the  body,  after 
the  manner  of  a  Sphinx  caterpillar,  and  the  double 


PUSS-MOTH.  ]  9 1 

tail  is  kept  erect  at  the  other  extremity.  Its 
threatening  aspect  has  sometimes  inspired  most 
^udicrous  notions  of  its  power  of  doing  mischief,  as 
in  the  instance  quoted  by  Dr.  Shaw  from  a  country 
newspaper,  where  it  is  described  as  a  monster  with 
a  head  like  a  lion,  jaws  like  a  shark,  a  horn  like  a 
unicorn,  and  two  tremendous  stings  in  its  tail.  It 
is  ornamented  with  very  beautiful  colours,  which, 
however,  vary  considerably  according  to  the  age  of 
the  individual.  The  description  of  Isaac  Walton  is 
pretty  nearly  accurate : — "  The  very  colours  of  ca- 
terpillars," says  he,  "  as  one  has  observed,  are 
elegant  and  beautiful.  I  shall,  for  a  taste  of  the 
rest,  describe  one  of  them ;  which  I  will,  some 
time  the  next  month,  shew  you  feeding  on  a  willow 
tree ;  and  you  shall  find  him  punctually  to  answer 
this  very  description :  his  lips  and  mouth  somewhat 
yellow ;  his  eyes  black  as  jet ;  his  forehead  purple ; 
his  feet  and  hinder  parts  green  ;  his  tail  two-forked 
and  black  ;  the  whole  body  stained  with  a  kind  of 
red  spots,  which  run  along  the  neck  and  shoulder- 
blade,  not  unlike  the  form  of  St.  Andrew's  cross,  or 
the  letter  X  made  thus  crosswise,  and  a  white  line 
drawn  down  his  back  to  his  tail ;  all  which  add 
much  beauty  to  his  whole  body.  And  if  is  to  me 
observable,  that  at  a  fixed  age  this  caterpillar  gives 
over  to  eat,  and  towards  winter  comes  to  be  covered 
over  with  a  strange  shell  or  crust,  called  an  aurelia  ; 
and  so  lives  a  kind  of  dead  life  without  eating  all 
the  winter.  And  as  others  of  several  kinds  turn  to 
be  several  kinds  of  flies  and  vermin  the  spring 


192  PUSS-MOTH. 

following,  so  this  caterpillar  then  turns  to  be  a 
painted  butterfly*."  (PL  xvi.  fig^.)  The  two- 
forked  tail  alluded  to,  which  is  peculiar  to  the  Puss 
caterpillar  and  two  or  three  others,  is  thus  described 
by  Kirby  and  Spence  : — "  This  horn-like  appendage 
is  composed  of  two  distinct  cylindrical  diverging 
branches,  each  about  four  lines  long,  not  united  at 
the  base.  Each  of  these  is  hollow,  and  includes  a 
smaller  cylindrical  piece,  which  can  be  protruded  at 
pleasure,  and  withdrawn  again,  as  a  pencil  within 
its  case ;  or,  rather,  as  the  horns  of  a  snail.  The 
two  outer  horns  are  tolerably  firm,  moveable  at 
their  base,  and  beset  with  black  spines ;  the  interior 
tentacula  are  fleshy,  moveable  in  every  direction, 
and  in  full-grown  larvae  of  a  rose-colour.  The 
animal  seldom  protrudes  them,  unless  in  some  way 
disturbed ;  and  frequently  it  approximates  the  outer 
cases  so  closely  that  they  resemble  a  single  horn. 
It  appears  to  use  these  inner  horns,  when  protruded, 
as  a  kind  of  whip  to  drive  away  the  flies,  especially 
the  Ichneumons,  that  alight  upon  its  body.  When 
touched  in  any  place,  it  will  unsheath  one  of  them, 
and  sometimes  both,  and  with  them  strike  the  place 
where  it  is  incommoded  t."  The  cocoon  constructed 
by  this  caterpillar  is  remarkable  for  its  strength  and 
solidity,  being  composed  of  particles  of  wood  united 
by  a  very  adhesive  kind  of  gum.  To  enable  the 
moth  to  pierce  the  walls  of  this  indurated  case,  it 
is  said  to  be  furnished  with  a  bag  of  acid,  the  con- 

*  Walton's  Angler,  chap.  v. 

f  Introd.  to  Entom.  iii.  page  150. 


PUSS-MOTH.  J  93 

tents  of  which  it  pours  on  the  case  of  the  cocoon, 
and  its  solvent  ^  wer  soon  loosens  the  cohesion  or 
the  particles  and  renders  egress  easy.  The  insect 
is  not  unfrequent,  at  least  in  the  larva  state,  both 
throughout  England  and  the  south  of  Scotland. 
The  food  of  the  caterpillar  consists  of  the  leaves  of 
the  Willow  and  Poplar. 


THE  KENTISH  GLORY. 

Endromit  versicolor. 
PLATE  XVI.    Fig.  3,  Female. 

Phal.  Bom.  Versicolor,  Linn. ;  Don.  v.  PL  158  ;  Entomological 
Transactions,  i.  323,  PL  9_Glory  of  Kent,  Wilkes,  Pi'.  89. 
—Kentish  Glory,  Harris. 

THE  above  name  was  conferred  on  this  genus  by 
Ochsenheimer,  by  whom  it  was  first  established,  in 
consequence  of  the  head  of  the  only  species  it  con- 
ains  being  garnished  with  long  hairs  somewhat 
after  the  manner  of  an  ancient  casque.  One  of  its 
most  remarkable  characters  is  having  the  antennae 
dpectinated  in  both  sexes  as  far  as  the  tip,  a  pecu- 
iarity  which  distinguishes  it  from  all  the  preceding 
;enera.  The  wings  are  large,  entire  at  the  edges, 
and  somewhat  diaphanous ;  the  fringe  so  short  as 
o  be  scarcely  perceptible.  The  head  is  densely 
Jothed  with  long  hairs  which  project  forwards  ;  the 


194  THE  KENTISH  GLORY. 

thorax  and  abdomen  are  likewise  very  pilose.  The 
male  of  E.  versicolor  measures  about  two  inches 
four  lines  across  the  wings,  but  the  female  some- 
times exceeds  three  inches.  In  the  former  the 
colour  of  the  upper  wings  is  rusty-red  inclining  to 
grey,  each  of  them  with  two  transverse  black  bands, 
the  anterior  one  bordered  internally  with  white,  and 
the  other,  which  is  angulated  towards  the  inner 
margin,  bordered  with  the  same  colour  on  the  outer 
side.  The  space  between  these  bands  is  irregularly 
marked  with  white,  and  at  the  extremity  of  the 
discoidal  cell  there  is  a  black  crescent  with  the 
convexity  turned  towards  the  body.  Towards  the 
hinder  margin  there  is  a  series  of  unequal  white 
spots,  the  three  upper  ones  largest  and  transparent, 
and  each  nervure  is  marked  with  a  white  streak 
which  is  a  little  dilated  at  the  margin.  The  hinder 
wings  are  tawny  yellow,  traversed  by  a  waved  dusky 
line  in  the  middle,  and  marked  with  a  small  crescent 
and  a  few  white  spots  posteriorly.  The  body  and 
base  of  the  wings  are  very  thickly  covered  with 
long  yellowish-brown  hair ;  the  anterior  part  of  the 
thorax  white.  The  antennae  and  tarsi  are  black. 
The  markings  in  the  female  are  similar,  but  the 
colour  is  much  lighter,  the  under  wings  and  abdomen 
being  almost  entirely  of  a  dull  white. 

The  caterpillar  bears  some  resemblance  to  those 
of  certain  Sphingida?,  both  in  its  form  and  attitudes.  • 
It  is  somewhat  attenuated  in  front,  and  has  a  py-  ' 
ramidal  elevation  on  that  part  of  the  anal  segment  ' 
which  is  occupied  by  a  horn  in  the  kinds  just  referred 


PLATE    17. 


THE  KENTISH  GLORY.  J95 

to.  Before  its  first  change  of  skin  it  is  entirely  green, 
but  when  mature  the  back  is  of  a  pale  green,  and 
the  under  side  minutely  sprinkled  with  black,  the 
sides  ornamented  with  oblique  streaks  of  a  whitish 
or  yellow  colour.  It  feeds  on  a  variety  of  our  com- 
mon forest  trees,  and  generally  appears  on  the  wing 
in  June  and  July.  It  must  he  ranked  among  the 
rarer  of  our  British  moths  having  been  found  chiefly 
in  the  south  of  England,  and  seldom  in  considerable 
numbers.  Darenth  Wood,  Coombe  Wood,  and 
Ashdown  Forest,  in  Sussex,  are  the  localities  which 
have  afforded  the  greatest  numher  of  specimens. 
The  male  flies  during  the  day,  and  with  such  rapi- 
dity that  he  is  captured  with  difficulty. 


EMPEROR-MOTH. 

Saturnia  Pavoma- minor. 
PLATE  XVII.   Fig.  1. 

Phalaena  Pavonia-minor,  Linn. — Phal.  Bom.  Pavonia,  Donovan^ 

viii.  PI.  1,  $  PL  254$ Emperor-moth,  Wilkes,  xvi.  PL  32 

Larva,  33  Imago ;  Htfrris*  Aurel. — Saturnia  Pavonia-mmor, 
Shrank,  Steph. 

THE  genus  Saturnia  may  be  briefly  characterized 
by  the  absence  of  palpi  and  a  suctorial  trunk,  and 
by  the  structure  of  the  antennae,  which,  in  the  male, 
bear  two  long  ramifications  on  each  side  of  the 
joints,  while  in  the  female  there  is  only  a  simple 


1 96  EMPEROR-MOTH. 

projecting  barb  on  each  side.  The  head  is  very 
small,  and  nearly  concealed  by  the  dense  hairs  that 
clothe  the  anterior  part  of  the  thorax ;  and  the  wings 
are  very  broad,  extended  horizontally  when  in  a 
state  of  repose,  and  furnished  with  a  fringe  so  short 
and  imperfect  as  to  be  scarcely  perceptible.  The 
genus  is  not  of  very  great  extent,  but  it  comprehends 
some  of  the  most  magnificent  species  yet  known  to 
naturalists.  Such  are  S.  atlas  of  China,  which 
frequently  measures  eight  or  ten  inches  across,  and 
which  the  French  name  Porte-miroir,  on  account  of 
a  large  transparent  vitreous  mark  in  the  centre  of 
each  wing ;  and  S.  luna,  a  native  of  America,  re- 
markable for  its  delicate  green  colour,  and  the  tail- 
like  elongation  of  its  hinder  wings.  Another  species 
is  the  Peacock  (S.  Pavonia-majorJ,  the  wings  of 
which  sometimes  expand  upwards  of  six  inches,  and 
is  therefore  the  largest  insect  indigenous  to  Europe. 
The  only  species  found  in  this  country  is  the  beauti- 
ful one  represented  on  the  accompanying  plate.  The 
female  sometimes  attains  to  upwards  of  three  inches 
in  the  expansion  of  the  wings,  but  the  male  seldom 
exceeds  two  and  a  half.  The  colour  in  both  sexes 
is  greyish,  with  numerous  white  scales  intermixed, 
and  faintly  tinged  in  several  places  with  purple; 
the  hinder  margin  of  all  the  wings  with  a  broad 
brownish-white  band.  Besides  this  there  are  two 
transverse  bands  on  each  wing,  one  towards  the 
base,  somewhat  abbreviated,  and  consisting  of  a 
white,  purplish,  and  dark-brown  stripe,  the  other 
placed  behind  the  middle  and  very  much  waved. 


EMPEROR -MOTH.  197 

The  centre  of  each  wing  is  ornamented  with  a  large 
ocellus,  placed  on  a  whitish  ground,  and  consisting 
of  a  large  black  pupil  with  a  whitish  streak  and  a 
yellow  or  grey  iris,  surrounded  with  black,  and 
surmounted  by  a  reddish  and  light  blue  crescent. 
On  the  apex  of  the  anterior  wings  there  is  a  patch  df 
purple,  accompanied  with  a  black  and  whitish  mark. 
The  body  is  covered  with  fulvous  or  brown  hairs,  the 
hinder  margin  of  the  abdominal  segments  whitish. 

The  caterpillar  feeds  on  a  variety  of  plants,  par- 
ticularly the  common  ling  or  heath  (Calluna  vul- 
garis),  blackthorn  bramble,  willow,  &c.  It  is  at 
first  black,  but  ultimately  becomes  of  a  lovely  green 
colour,  having  each  of  the  segments  cinctured  by  a 
black  band  which  is  adorned  with  a  series  of  pink 
tubercles,  each  bearing  a  whorl  of  six  hairs,  diverg- 
ing like  a  star,  the  central  one  being  longer  than  th'e 
others  and  capitate.  (PL  xvn.  fig.  2.) 

The  insect  is  of  frequent  occurrence  through- 
out the  greater  part  of  England :  the  moth  is  not 
abundant  in  Scotland,  but  the  caterpillar  and  the 
empty  cocoon  are  often  observed  on  heaths.  The 
female  lays  between  200  and  300  eggs,  which  she 
attaches  by  a  glutinous  liquid  to  the  stem  of  the 
plant  which  is  to  afford  nourishment  to  the  larvae. 
They  are  deposited  in  several  separate  packets, 
which  are  placed  at  some  distance  from  each  other, 
probably  with  a  view  to  increase  the  chance  of  some 
of  them  escaping  the  effects  of  accidents,  as  well  as 
to  afford  a  greater  supply  of  food  when  the  young 
are  hatched. 


Iff  8 


OAK  EGGER-MOTH. 

Lasiocampa  Quercus. 
PLATE  XVII.   Fig.  3,  Male. 

Phal.  Bom.  Quercus,  Linn.;  Donovan,  iii.  PI.  104.  —  Great 
Egger,  Wilkes,  PI.  46  ;  Harris'  Aurel.  PI.  29  —  Lasiocampa 
Roboris.  Shrank,  Steph.  $ 


IN  this  genus  (named  from  Xatf/oc  hairy,  and 
x#^wr?7  a  worm  or  caterpillar)  the  antennae  are 
bipectinated  in  the  males,  and  merely  serrated  in 
the  other  sex.  There  are  neither  mandibles  nor 
suctorial  trunk,  but  two  short  hairy  palpi  are  ob- 
servable, composed  of  three  joints,  the  terminal  one 
being  very  minute.  The  wings  are  entire,  densely 
covered  with  scales,  and  deflexed  when  at  rest  ;  the 
margin  with  a  distinct  fringe.  The  abdomen  of  the 
male  tufted  at  the  apex  and  somewhat  cleft,  that  of 
the  female  very  large  and  scarcely  tufted  ;  the  legs 
slender  and  sparingly  clothed  with  hairs.  Four 
species  are  recorded  as  British,  all  of  which  are  of 
a  reddish-brownish  colour,  with  transverse  whitish 
bands.  The  species  figured  to  illustrate  the  genus 
is  the  most  common  of  the  whole.  The  male  is  of 
a  deep  ferruginous  or  chestnut-brown,  with  an 
ochreous  yellow  band  running  across  all  the  wings 


OAK  EGGER-MOTH.  J99 

near  the  middle ;  this  band  is  distinctly  defined  on 
the  inner  side,  but  externally  it  is  gradually  shaded 
off  towards  the  margin,  where  the  brown  colour 
again  deepens.  On  each  of  the  anterior  wings 
there  is  a  small  central  white  spot  placed  in  a  dusky 
ring,  and  in  many  instances  a  yellowish  patch  at 
the  base.  The  fringe  of  the  anterior  wings  is  nar- 
row and  brown ;  that  of  the  hinder  pair  broad,  and 
nearly  of  the  same  colour  as  the  transverse  band, 
but  occasionally  somewhat  clouded  with  brown. 
The  upper  parts  of  the  body  are  of  the  same  colour 
as  the  dark  portion  of  the  wings,  the  under  side 
and  legs  ochreous-yellow.  Antennas  chestnut-brown. 
The  female  is  much  larger  than  the  male,  with 
similar  markings,  but  the  whole  body  and  wings 
are  pale  yellow. 

The  caterpillar  is  yellowish,  covered  with  greyish- 
brown  hairs,  having  the  incisures  black,  and  a 
white  macular  band  on  each  side.  There  is  like- 
wise an  interrupted  row  of  white  spots  on  the  back, 
and  a  pale  yellow  mark  on  the  anterior  part  of  the 
head.  It  feeds  on  the  oak,  willow,  hawthorn, 
broom,  and  a  variety  of  other  trees  and  shrubs. 
Both  the  caterpillar  and  the  moth  are  subject  to 
numerous  variations,  which  has  occasioned  diffe- 
rence of  opinion  among  authors  regarding  the  proper 
application  of  the  specific  name.  Examples  are 
occasionally  found  in  which  the  transverse  band  is 
greenish:  these  Hubner  regarded  as  distinct,  and 
named  Bombyx  Sparta.  Such  as  have  a  yellow 
mark  at  the  base  of  the  anterior  wings,  are  alone 


200  OAK  EGGER-MOTH. 

considered  by  Mr.  Stephens  as  referable  to  the  true 
Bom.  Quercus  of  Linnaeus,  in  whose  description  that 
character  is  particularly  mentioned.  The  others, 
of  which  the  individual  figured  is  an  example,  he 
has  described  separately  under  the  name  of  L. 
Roboris,  adopted  from  Shrank.  The  differences 
between  the  two  are  not,  however,  very  important, 
and  they  obviously  do  not  exceed  the  limits  assigned 
to  the  range  of  deviation  in  the  majority  of  variable 
species.  Neither  ought  the  occasional  dissimilarities 
observable  in  the  larvae  to  be  assumed  as  certainly 
indicating  specific  distinction,  for  these  variations 
often  depend  on  age,  sometimes  even  on  the  nature 
of  the  food;  and  in  such  a  case  as  the  present, 
where  the  sexes  of  the  perfect  insect  are  so  unlike,  it 
is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  they  may  be  re- 
spectively produced  from  caterpillars  partaking  more 
or  less  of  the  same  character.  The  observations  of 
De  Geer  have  proved  that  in  some  instances  the  male 
moth  originates  from  a  caterpillar  of  an  entirely  dif- 
ferent colour  from  that  which  produces  the  female. 
In  the  extended  sense  which  we  have  assigned 
to  the  name,  Lasiocampa  Quercus  is  an  abundant 
moth  in  most  parts  of  England,  particularly  in  the 
south.  The  woods  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London, 
the  New  Forest,  woods  in  Cambridge-shire,  &c. 
produces  it  in  plenty.  It  appears  to  become  more 
scarce  as  we  advance  northward,  and  it  is  by  no 
means  common  in  Scotland,  although  occurring  at 
times  at  least  throughout  the  southern  division  of 
that  country. 


1    \  2   III  nikiT  .I/"///,  'null,-  A;  teiu.      ^ ./,<//!/»•/. //////     ]-.  C  i///-/ /;//////-.//'  //" 


201 


PR1NKER-MOTH- 

Odonestis  Potatona. 
PLATE  XVIII.   Figs.  1  and  2. 

PhaJ.  Bomb.  Potatoria,  Linn.  ;  Don.  v.  PI.  148  __  Odonesti* 
Potatoria,  Germar.  Steph.  —  Drinker  Caterpillar,  Lister's 
Gcedart.  Albin,  PI.  xvii  __  Drinker-moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  58  ; 
Harris*  Aurel.  PL  45. 

ODONESTIS  may  be  briefly  distinguished  from  the 
allied  genera  by  the  length  of  the  palpi,  which  have 
the  second  joint  double  the  length  of  the  basal  one, 
and  project  in  front  of  the  head  like  a  small  beak, 
and  by  the  hinder  margin  of  the  anterior  wings  being 
entire.  The  antennaB  are  strongly  bipectinated,  at 
least  in  the  male,  as  far  as  the  apex,  and  they  are  a 
little  curved  near  the  base.  The  abdomen  is  elongated 
and  furnished  with  an  anal  tuft  in  the  male,  which 
is  wanting,  however,  in  the  other  sex.  The  hinder 
margin  of  the  anterior  wings  is  rounded  and  entire, 
but  the  angle  formed  by  the  tip  is  pretty  acute  ;  in 
the  hinder  pair  there  is  a  tendency  to  become  den- 
ticulate. The  sexes  are  distinguished  by  differences 
of  size  and  colour  similar  to  those  exemplified  by 
the  preceding  species.  The  male  is  reddish-brown 


202  DRINKER-MOTH. 

on  the  surface,  somewhat  glossy,  the  anterior  wings 
with  an  ochreous  yellow  patch  at  the  base,  and  the 
disk  more  or  less  suffused  with  the  same  colour ;  a 
dark  rust-coloured  line  extends  obliquely  across 
each  of  them  from  the  tip  to  the  middle  of  the 
inner  edge,  a  faint  transverse  line  is  likewise  ob- 
servable near  the  base,  and  another,  sometimes  faint 
and  interrupted,  towards  the  hinder  margin,  to 
which  it  is  nearly  parallel.  On  the  disk,  towards 
the  anterior  margin,  are  two  white  spots,  the  lower 
one  largest  and  stained  with  yellow  in  the  centre. 
The  hinder  wings  are  unspotted,  but  there  is  an 
indistinct  transverse  streak  on  each  darker  than  the 
rest  of  the  surface.  The  body  and  antennae  are 
nearly  of  the  same  hue  as  the  wings.  The  female 
is  about  a  third  larger  than  the  male,  and  of  a  pale 
ochre-yellow,  sometimes  approaching  to  yellowish- 
white.  She  lays  a  considerable  number  of  eggs, 
which  are  whitish,  surrounded  with  two  green 
circles,  and  marked  with  a  dark  spot.  The  cater- 
pillar has  rather  a  singular  appearance  from  being 
furnished  with  two  long  conical  tufts,  one  of  them 
placed  on  the  back  of  the  second  segment  and  di- 
rected forwards,  the  other  on  the  eleventh  segment 
and  turned  in  the  opposite  direction.  On  each  side 
of  the  back  there  is  a  linear  series  of  velvet-black 
spots,  followed  by  a  line  of  yellow  spots,  and  beneath 
these  a  number  of  tufts  of  white  hair.  Like  so 
many  others  of  its  tribe,  it  rolls  itself  in  a  ring  when 
apprehensive  of  danger.  It  feeds  on  a  variety  of 
common  grasses,  such  as  Alopecuni-s  pratensis,  Bro- 


DRINKER-MOTH.  203 

mus  sterilis,  the  meadow  grasses,  Sec.  It  survives 
the  winter  in  a  kind  of  torpid  condition,  and  changes 
into  the  pupal  state  in  June  or  July,  the  moth 
appearing  in  about  three  weeks.  It  is  plentiful  in 
most  parts  of  England,  particularly  in  marshy  situa- 
tions, to  which  it  seems  to  he  partial.  It  occurs 
much  less  frequently  in  Scotland. 


LAPPET-MOTH. 

Gastropacha  Quercifolia. 
PLATE  XVIII.   Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Bomb.  Quercifolia,  Linn. ;  Don.  vii.  PI.  332 — Lappit- 
moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  57  ;  Harris"1  Aurel.  PI.  43. — Gastropacha 
Quercifolia,  Ochsen.  ;  Steph.  ;  Curtis'  B.  E.  i.  PI.  24. 

THE  generic  name*  refers  to  the  appearance  of  the 
abdomen,  which  is  very  large  in  the  females.  As 
a  genus,  Gastropacha  possesses  strongly  marked 
characters  by  which  it  is  readily  discriminated  from 
all  the  other  groups  included  in  the  family  of  the 
Bombycidae.  All  the  wings  are  strongly  dentated, 
and  when  the  insect  is  in  a  state  of  repose,  the 
anterior  edge  of  the  upper  pair  projects  considerably 
beyond  the  upper,  giving  an  oval  form  to  the  out- 
line, bearing  a  good  deal  of  resemblance  to  a  withered 

*  From  ryatffrtg  the  lelh/,  and  «r«;£vf  thick. 


204  LAPPET-MOTH. 

leaf  with  a  serrated  border.  Hence  one  of  the 
species  was  named  hy  Geoflroy  lafeuille  morte.  The 
antennas  are  very  short,  recurved,  and  deeply  bipec- 
tinated  nearly  in  a  similar  manner  in  both  sexes : 
the  palpi  very  hairy  and  prolonged  into  a  kind  of 
snout,  the  second  joint  longer  than  the  others. 
Maxilla3  are  observable,  but  they  are  very  minute. 
The  genus  includes  several  European  insects,  but 
that  figured  on  the  adjoining  plate  is  the  only  one 
satisfactorily  ascertained  to  inhabit  Britain.  The 
surface  of  the  wings  is  of  a  rusty-brown  colour 
varying  considerably  in  shade,  the  extremity  slightly 
glossed  with  violet;  the  upper  pair  with  three 
oblique  waved  blackish  lines,  and  a  black  spot  in 
the  centre.  The  hinder  wings  are  generally  un- 
spotted ;  at  times,  however,  they  are  marked  with 
faint  transverse  streaks  similar  to  those  on  the 
upper  pair.  The  body  is  of  the  same  colour  as  the 
wings ;  the  stalk  of  the  antennae,  the  palpi,  and  the 
tarsi,  of  a  deep  bluish-black. 

The  caterpillar  is  of  large  size  when  full  grown, 
sometimes  measuring  nearly  four  inches  in  length, 
and  very  variable  in  colour.  The  prevailing  hue 
is  dusky-grey,  inclining  to  ash-grey,  with  two  blue 
spots  on  the  neck  surrounded  with  black,  and 
having  a  black  angular  mark  in  the  middle.  The 
membranous  legs  and  the  under  side  of  the  body 
are  ferruginous,  the  latter  spotted  with  black.  Each 
segment  is  furnished  with  a  fleshy  appendage  which 
hangs  from  the  side,  and  there  is  a  dorsal  tuber- 
cle on  the  penultimate  joint.  (PL  xviu.  fig.  4.) 


LAPPET-MOTH.  205 

It  feeds  on  a  variety  of  trees  and  shrubs,  such  as 
the  willow,  blackthorn,  bramble,  hawthorn,  &c., 
and  it  is  asserted  that  the  colour  varies  according  to 
the  nature  of  its  food.  The  cocoon  which  it  spins 
for  its  pupal  change  is  long,  and  generally  tapers 
somewhat  at  one  end.  The  tissue  is  not  very  thick 
or  compact,  but  all  the  interstices  are  closely  filled 
up  with  a  whitish  powder,  employed  for  lining  the 
interior.  The  moth  is  found  occasionally  in  many 
parts  of  England  but  seldom  in  great  abundance. 
It  is  not  rare  on  the  continent. 


BLACK  ARCHES. 

Psilura  Monacha. 
PLATE  XIX.    Figs.  1  and  2. 

Phal.  Bomb.  Monacha,  Linn.  ;   Don.  vii.  PI.  228 Liparis 

Monacha,  Ocksenheimer. — Laria  Monacha,  Shrank,  Leach.— 

Black  Arches,  Wilkes,  PL  39 ;  Harris'  Vade  Mecum,  9 

Psilura  Monacha,  Steph. 

THIS  genus  was  established  by  Mr.  Stephens,  and 
may  be  recognised  by  the  following  characters: — 
maxillae  obsolete ;  palpi  with  the  second  joint  cla- 
vate,  and  one-half  longer  than  the  radical  one, 
which  is  likewise  somewhat  lengthened  and  club- 
shaped;  antennae  short,  deeply  bipectinated  in  the 
male,  but  less  so  in  the  female ;  wings  opaque  and 
densely  covered  with  scales,  the  edges  entire ;  body 


206  BLACK  ARCHES. 

more  slender  than  in  the  preceding  genera,  the 
male  having  the  apex  of  the  abdomen  slightly 
tufted,  while  that  of  the  female  is  naked  and  atte- 
nuated*. Psilura  is  very  closely  related  to  Hypo- 
gymna,  a  genus  including  the  Gipsey  Moth,  whose 
curious  economy  renders  it  an  object  of  much 
interest.  The  principal  differences  consist  in  the 
relative  length  of  the  articulations  of  the  palpi  and 
the  appearance  of  the  abdomen  in  the  respective 
females,  that  of  the  Gipsey  Moth  terminating  in  a 
dense  tuft  of  hairs. 

The  male  of  the  Black  Arches  Moth  generally 
expands  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  lines,  the  female 
about  two  inches.  Both  sexes  vary  considerably, 
but  the  following  description  will  apply  to  the  ma- 
jority of  specimens.  The  surface  of  the  primary 
wings  is  greyish- white,  with  numerous  black  spots, 
and  four  confused  zigzag  transverse  lines  of  the 
same  colour.  Several  of  the  spots  are  placed  at  the 
base  of  the  wing,  one  before  the  middle  between 
the  two  anterior  lines,  and  a  regular  series  along 
the  terminal  border.  The  secondary  wings  are 
brownish-grey,  sometimes  white  at  the  hinder  extre- 
mity; the  fringe  always  white,  spotted  at  regular 
intervals  with  black.  The  thorax  is  white,  tinged 
with  yellow  in  front,  and  marked  with  several 
black  spots;  the  abdomen  rose-red  behind,  with 
the  incisures  and  series  of  spots  black,  that  of  the 
female  terminating  in  a  yellow  corneous  oviduct. 

*  The  generic  name  refers  to  this  circumstance,  being 
derived  from  $i).ot  naked,  and  ovga,  the  tail. 


BLACK  ARCHES.  20? 

The  caterpillar  is  brown,  beset  with  numerous 
tubercles  supporting  tufts  of  greyish  hairs.  On  the 
second  segment  there  is  a  heart-shaped  black  spot 
followed  by  two  white  ones;  the  head  is  large, 
marked  in  a  reticulated  manner  with  flesh-coloured 
lines,  and  having  a  triangular  ovai  spot  in  the 
middle  of  the  forehead ;  the  membranous  legs  and 
belly  light  green.  It  feeds  on  the  oak,  birch, 
bramble,  &c. ;  and  is  said  occasionally  to  appear  in 
such  numbers  in  certain  districts  of  Germany,  as 
entirely  to  strip  the  pine  forests  of  their  foliage. 
The  chrysalis,  which  is  enveloped  in  a  slight  cocoon, 
is  of  a  shining  brown,  and  has  tufts  of  hair  on  the 
segments,  a  circumstance  which  is  likewise  observ- 
able in  several  of  the  allied  genera. 

This  pretty  moth  is  not  generally  distributed, 
but  has  been  found  in  some  plenty  in  certain  locali- 
ties, such  as  the  New  Forest,  some  parts  of  Kent, 
Surrey,  &c.  It  does  not  seem  to  extend  far  to  the 
north,  and  we  have  never  heard  of  its  being  seen  OD 
this  side  of  the  Tweed* 


20H 


SCARLET  TIGER-MOTH. 

Hypercampa  Dominida. 
PLATE  XIX.   Fig.  3,  Pig.  4  var. 

Phal.  Noct.  Dotninula,  Linn.  ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  141 Callimorpha 

Dominula,  Latr.  ;  Leach — Eyprepia  Dominula,  Ochsen — 
Scarlet  Tiger-moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  38 ;  Harris'  Aurel.  PI.  40. 
— Hypercampa  Dominula,  Hithner^  Steph. 

THE  length  of  the  proboscis,  which  considerably 
exceeds  that  of  the  head,  taken  in  connection  with 
the  opaque  scaly  wings,  is  sufficient  to  distinguish 
the  present  genus  from  all  others  belonging  to  the 
extensive  family  of  the  Arctiidae.  Another  peculiar 
character  is  to  be  found  in  the  structure  of  the 
antenna?,  which  are  simple ;  that  is,  without  teeth  or 
pectinations  in  both  sexes,  contrary  to  what  is  ob- 
served in  genera  which  in  other  respects  have  the 
greatest  affinity  to  the  present.  The  palpi  have  the 
two  lower  joints  of  equal  length,  the  terminal  one 
much  shorter  and  of  an  ovate  form :  wings  entire 
on  the  edges.  The  species  named  the  Scarlet 
Tiger-moth  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  and  orna- 
mental that  we  possess.  The  primary  wings  ..are 
black  and  shining,  with  a  fine  silken-green  gloss, 


SCARLET  TIGER-MOTH.  209 

each  of  them  ornamented  with  about  a  dozen  cream- 
coloured  or  yellowish  spots  of  various  dimensions, 
the  two  largest  placed  rather  beyond  the  middle. 
The  secondary  wings  are  of  a.  fine  carmine-red, 
with  three  large  and  irregular  black  spots;  the 
fringe  of  all  the  wings  black.  The  thorax  is  black 
glossed  with  green,  and  marked  with  two  yellow 
longitudinal  spots :  abdomen  the  colour  of  the  un- 
der wings  on  the  surface,  the  under  side,  basal 
segment,  and  a  dorsal  line,  black ;  the  under  side 
highly  glossed  with  green.  Several  varieties  occur, 
of  which  the  most  remarkable  are  those  in  which 
the  red  colour  is  replaced  by  pale  yellow,  and  such 
as  have  the  abdomen  entirely  black,  and  the  under 
wings  dull  brown,  without  any  vestige  of  the  gay 
colouring  of  ordinary  specimens.  This  latter  variety 
is  represented  on  Plate  xix.  fig. 4. 

On  issuing  from  the  egg,  the  caterpillar  is  of  a 
dirty  yellow,  with  the  head  and  numerous  small 
spots  over  the  body  black.  After  its  first  moult 
it  becomes  black,  with  three  yellow  longitudinal 
lines,  one  on  the  back  and  another  on  each  side ; 
the  black  portion  with  many  small  blue  tubercles, 
from  which  issue  diverging  greyish  hairs.  The 
moth  appears  in  June ;  but  is  not  of  frequent  oc- 
currence in  this  country.  It  has  been  found  in 
some  plenty  in  the  vicinity  of  Cambridge  and  in 
Darenth  Wood ;  also,  but  much  more  sparingly,  at 
Blackheath,  Oxford,  near  Reading,  &c. 


210 


THE  CLOUDED  BUFF. 
Eutliemonia  Russula. 
PLATE  XX.   Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Bomb.   Russula,  Linn. ;   Don.  vi.   PI.  214. — Eyprepia 

Russula,   Ochsen  ;   Curtis*  B.  E.  i.  PI.  21 Clouded  Buff, 

PJial.  quadra,  Harris. — Phal.  Bomb.  Sannio^,  Linn Arctia 

Russula,  Latr — Euthemoma  Russula,  Stepk. 

THE  above  insect  has  generally  been  associated  with 
A/he  typical  Tiger  moths  (Arctice),  but  the  discre- 
pancies are  too  great  for  this  union  to  be  continued 
propriety.  The  genus  Euthemonia  (from 
handsome )  has  therefore  been  constituted, 
and  may  be  recognized  by  having  the  middle  joint 
of  the  palpi  a  good  deal  longer  than  the  two  others, 
the  terminal  one  rather  slender ;  proboscis  not 
longer  than  the  head ;  antennae  short  and  slender, 
bipectinated  in  the  males  and  serrated  in  the  fe- 
males ;  abdomen  annulated,  and  having  a  small  tuft 
at  .the  apex;  wings  deflexed  and  trigonate. 

This  species  named  the  Clouded  Buff,  differs 
from  the  generality  of  moths  in  the  female  being 
considerably  less  than  the  male ;  the  latter  being 
about  eighteen  or  twenty  lines  between  the  tips  of 


THE  CLOUDED  BCTFF.  211 

the  wings,  and  the  former  seldom  exceeding  sixteen 
or  eighteen  lines.  The  sexes  are  likewise  very 
dissimilar  in  colour:  the  male  has  the  surface  of 
the  upper  wings  pale  yellow,  with  the  anterior  and 
inner  edge  as  well  as  the  fringe,  rose-red ;  the  disk 
of  each  with  a  large  somewhat  crescent-shaped 
brown  spot  edged  with  red.  The  under  wings  are 
pale  yellowish- white,  with  a  dusky  crescent  in  the 
middle  anteriorly,  and  a  broad  dusky  band  near  the 
hinder  margin,  the  fringe  rose-red.  The  thorax  and 
abdomen  are  of  the  same  colour  as  the  adjoining 
wings ;  the  legs  and  stalk  of  the  antennae  reddish. 
In  the  female  the  portion  of  the  upper  wings  just 
described  as  light  yellow,  is  of  a  reddish-yellow 
inclining  to  brown ;  the  hinder  wings  dusky  at  the 
base,  and  having  a  marginal  band,  varying  in  shape 
and  size  in  different  individuals. 

The  caterpillar  is  thickly  covered  with  fascicles 
of  short  hair,  sometimes  reddish,  at  other  times  in- 
clining to  orange-yellow.  The  body  is  dusky-brown, 
with  a  pale  yellow  dorsal  line,  and  a  series  of  yellow 
spots  on  each  side.  It  feeds  on  a  variety  of  plants, 
among  which  are  the  hound's  tongue  (Cynoglossum 
officmale),  field  scabious,  and  narrow-leaved  plantain. 
The  moth  is  not  generally  distributed,  but  is  found 
in  some  plenty  in  Coombe  Wood,  the  New  Forest, 
near  York,  &c. :  likewise  in  the  vicinity  of  Edin- 
burgh, but  not  plentifully,  and  in  Dumfries-shire 
near  Raehills. 


212 


CREAM-SPOT  TIGER-MOTH. 

A  rcfia  Villica. 
PLATE  XX.   Fig.  2. 

Fhal.   Bomb.  Villica,  Linn. ;   Donovan^  ii.   PI.  71 Bombyx 

Villicus,  Haworth.— Eyprepia  Villica,  Ochsen  ,•  Curtis.— 
Cream  Spot  Tyger-moth,  Wilkes,  PI .  37 ;  Harris*  Aurel. 
PI.  4 Arctia  Villica,  Steph. 

THIS  genus  comprehends  some  of  the  most  striking 
and  richly  coloured  moths  with  which  we  are  ac- 
quainted. Deep  black,  crimson,  and  yellow  are  the 
prevailing  colours ;  and  these  are  combined  in 
strongly  contrasted  spots  and  bars  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  produce  a  most  agreeable  effect.  The 
most  common  species  is  the  beautiful  Great  Tiger- 
moth  (Arctia  caja),  found  occasionally  in  all  parts 
of  Britain,  produced  from  a  larva  of  much  more 
frequent  occurrence,  well  known  throughout  the 
country  as  the  hairy  worm,  and  in  the  south  of 
Scotland  by  the  name  of  hairy  oubit.  The  generic 
name  likewise  bears  allusion  to  the  hairy  caterpillar, 
being  derived  from  afxrof  a  bear.  The  distinctive 
characters  are  to  be  found  in  the  palpi,  which  have 
the  basal  joint  longer  than  the  second  ;  in  the  an- 
tennae being  rather  long,  bipectinated  in  the  males, 
and  serrated  in  the  females,  each  of  the  radii  and 


CREAM-SPOT  TIGER-MOTH.  2i3 

serratures  terminating  in  a  bristle ;  in  the  proboscis 
being  short,  scarcely  longer  than  the  head ;  and  the 
wings  being  densely  clothed  with  scales.  The 
thorax  is  without  a  crest,  and,  as  well  as  the  abdo- 
men, is  thick  and  strong.  The  species  figured  as 
an  example  of  the  genus  is  by  no  means  so  gene- 
rally distributed  as  the  Great  Tiger-moth,  but  it  is 
not  very  rare  in  some  parts  of  England.  It  measures 
from  two  inches  to  two  inches  and  a  half  across  the 
anterior  wings,  which  have  the  ground  colour  deep 
black ;  each  of  them  with  about  eight  yellowish  or 
cream-coloured  spots  of  various  sizes,  the  basal  one 
triangular  or  heart-shaped,  the  others  in  pairs 
placed  transversely,  and  an  insulated  one  on  the 
hinder  margin.  The  under  wings  are  rather  deep 
yellow,  with  a  few  scattered  small  black  spots,  and 
a  large  black  patch  on  the  outer  angle,  enclosing  a 
few  irregular  spots  of  the  ground  colour.  The 
thorax  is  deep  black,  with  a  cream-coloured  mark 
on  each  shoulder ;  the  abdomen  yellow  at  the  base, 
bright  red  posteriorly,  with  three  longitudinal  rows 
of  black  spots.  On  the  under  side  the  anterior 
edge  of  all  the  wings  is  tinged  with  bright  red,  and 
the  breast  and  sides  are  thickly  garnished  with 
hairs  of  the  same  colour. 

The  caterpillar  is  black  after  its  last  moult,  and 
covered  with  aigrettes  of  greyish-brown  hairs  :  the 
head  and  legs  reddish-brown,  the  former  having  a 
black  heart-shaped  spot  in  the  middle.  It  feeds  on 
most  of  our  common  field  plants.  The  chrysalis 
has  short  tufts  of  reddish  hairs  on  the  segments. 


214 


RUBY  TIGER-MOTH. 

Phragmatobia  fuliginosa. 
PLATE  XX.   Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Noc.  fuliginosa,  Linn. ;  Don.  iii.  PI.  80 Ruby  Tiger, 

Harris*   Aurd.    PL  27 Chelonia   fuliginosa,    Godart 

Arctia  fulig.  Latr — Phragmatobia  fulig.  Steph. 

THIS  genus,  like  several  others  in  the  same  family, 
has  the  scales  so  thinly  placed  on  the  wings  that 
these  memhers  appear  more  or  less  diaphanous. 
This  circumstance,  taken  in  connexion  with  the 
structure  of  the  antennae,  which  are  short  and  almost 
simple  in  hoth  sexes,  and  the  very  rohust  hody, 
suffices  to  distinguish  it  from  any  other  with  which 
it  has  any  chance  of  being  confounded.  The  palpi 
are  short  and  hairy,  having  the  two  lower  joints  of 
equal  length ;  the  head  very  small.  The  only 
British  species  referable  to  it  is  the  pretty  little 
moth  named  the  Ruby  Tiger.  It  varies  much  in 
colour,  but  the  upper  wings  are  most  commonly 
reddish  brown,  with  two  black  points  near  the 
middle  of  each,  and  the  fringe  bright  red ;  the  hinder 
pair  bright  red,  becoming  black  posteriorly,  with  a 
streak  of  that  colour  at  the  extremity  of  the  discoidal 


RUBY  TIGER-MOTH.  215 

cell ;  or  the  surface  nearly  all  black,  having  the 
inner  edge  only  tinged  with  red ;  fringe  as  in  the 
anterior  wings.  The  thorax  is  reddish-brown,  the 
abdomen  bright  carmine-red,  with  a  row  of  black 
spots  on  the  back  and  another  on  each  side. 

The  caterpillar  is  very  thickly  covered  with  hairs, 
which  vary  in  colour  in  different  individuals,  but 
are  commonly  brown  or  reddish ;  the  head  and  legs 
of  a  corresponding  hue.  Scarcely  any  of  our  or- 
dinary plants  are  rejected  by  it  as  food.  Fabricius 
has  remarked  of  this  caterpillar,  that  when  it  is 
seen  to  run  over  the  snow  in  the  winter,  it  may  be 
taken  as  a  sign  that  the  ensuing  summer  will  be 
cold  and  ungenial;  "  Hieme  in  nive  obambulans, 
aestates  frigidiores  et  annonae  caritatem  pnenun- 
ciat;"  a  prognostication  which  the  French  natu- 
ralist Godart  proves  not  to  be  infallible,  by  gravely 
stating  the  result  of  his  observations  to  the  contrary ; 
and  he  has  actually  known  a  beautiful  summer  and 
plentiful  harvest  follow  the  phenomenon  alluded  to. 

Of  occasional  occurrence  during  the  months  of 
July  and  August,  in  many  parts  of  the  country. 
We  once  found  it  at  Duddingston,  near  Edinburgh , 
and  have  seen  several  specimens  which  were  taken 
in  Roxburghshire.  The  neighbourhood  of  New- 
castle, York,  Darenth  Wood,  &c.  are  mentioned 
among  its  English  localities.  It  has  likewise  been 
found  in  Caithness  and  Sutherland. 


216 


WOOD  TIGER-MOTH. 

NemeophUa  Plantaginis. 

PLATE  XXI.   Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Bomb.   Plantaginis,   Linn.;  Don.  iv.  PL  134 Wood 

Tyger-moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  50. — Nemeoph.  Plantaginis,  Steph. 

THIS  pretty  insect  was  formerly  associated  with  the 
ArctiaB,  but  has  lately  been  referred  to  a  separate 
genus,  under  the  name  of  Nemeophila*.  The  an- 
tennae are  bipectinated  in  the  male  and  serrated  in 
the  female ;  the  palpi  short,  all  the  joints  of  nearly 
equal  length,  and  almost  globose,  the  terminal  one 
rather  smallest.  The  proboscis  is  short,  scarcely 
the  length  of  the  head ;  the  thorax  not  crested,  and 
the  wings  completely  opaque  with  scales.  The 
thorax  and  abdomen  are  somewhat  slender,  the 
extremity  slightly  tufted  in  the  male.  The  latter 
sex  usually  measures  about  an  inch  and  a  half 
across  the  wings,  the  female  being  somewhat  larger. 
The  anterior  wings  are  deep  black  above,  with  a 
yellowish  or  cream-coloured  stripe  running  from 
the  base  towards  the  apex,  where  it  becomes  very 
irregular  and  forms  a  kind  of  cross ;  there  are  like* 
*  Derived  from  np»t  a  grove,  and  f  <A.«*  a  Cover. 


2.  f  'inntilnirMith  , 


5.  Crimson,  Speckled  Pootmar. 

4  .  (  ujer/n/lur  <if  '  /I'.' 


,. 

fl  UNIVERSITY:  )] 
VV 


WOOD  TIGER-MOTH.  21? 

wise  two  spots  of  the  same  colour  on  the  anterior 
margin,  varying  much  in  size,  and  sometimes  con- 
fluent. The  hinder  wings  are  ochreous-yellow 
(sometimes  reddish)  with  two  black  stripes  at  the 
base,  and  a  nearly  continuous  series  of  black  spots 
along  the  hinder  margin,  in  the  male;  the  whole 
base  black  in  the  other  sex.  The  head,  thorax,  and 
back  of  the  abdomen  are  black ;  the  former  with  a 
yellow  tuft  on  each  side,  and  the  thorax  with  lateral 
streaks  of  light-coloured  hair,  which,  however,  are 
wanting  in  the  female.  In  the  latter  sex  the  abdo- 
men is  reddish,  with  a  black  dorsal  line. 

The  caterpillar,  which  feeds  on  the  broad  and 
narrow  leaved  plantain,  chickweed,  &c.  is  black 
and  hairy,  the  six  middle  segments  reddish  on  the 
back  and  sides.  It  is  well  figured  by  Rosel,  vol.  iv. 
t.  24. 

The  moth  is  found  in  June  and  July,  and  is  not 
unfrequent  in  certain  localities,  although  it  does  not 
seem  to  be  generally  distributed.  We  have  seen 
several  examples  from  Roxburghshire  and  some 
other  of  the  border  counties  of  Scotland,  and  it  has 
been  taken  in  Darenth  "Wood,  as  well  as  in  seve- 
ral places  in  the  north  of  England.  It  has  also 
been  found  plentifully  in  Shetland  and  the  Orkney 
Islands. 


218 


•THE  CINNABAR  MOTH, 

Callimorpha  Jacob  aece, 
PLATE  XXI.    Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Noc.  Jacobaese,  Linn.  ;  Don.  PI.  45. — Pink  Underwing, 
Harris1  Aurel.  PI.  4.— Callimorpha  Jacobseae,  Latr.,  Steph* 

THIS  genus,  originally  constituted  by  Latreille  under 
the  above  name  (derived  from  xaXd£  beautiful,  and 
oogpa/orm  or  appearance),  properly  contains  in  its 
present  restricted  acceptation  only  one  species,  for 
the  Red  Arches  of  Harris  (Thai,  rosea,  Don.)  which 
has  been  sometimes  referred  to  it,  obviously  pertains 
to  a  different  group.  The  trunk  is  rather  long,  at 
least  longer  than  the  head,  and  the  palpi,  which  are 
covered  only  with  small  scales,  have  the  basal  joint 
as  long  as  the  two  following,  which  are  of  equal 
length  and  rather  obtuse.  The  antennae  are  slender 
and  setaceous,  somewhat  ciliated  in  the  males ;  the 
extremity  of  the  abdomen  slightly  tufted  in  that 
sex ;  the  anterior  wings  long  and  narrow,  with  the 
hinder  margin  a  little  rounded.  The  thorax  is  not 
crested ;  and  the  posterior  tibiae  are  furnished  with 
two  pair  of  spurs.  The  colouring  of  the  Cinnabar, 
or  Pink  Underwing  Moth,  as  it  is  sometimes  called, 


THE  CINNABAR  MOTH.  219 

is  very  peculiar,  and  it  presents  this  additional 
singularity  that  the  upper  and  under  surfaces  are 
precisely  alike.  The  anterior  wings  are  greyish 
black,  with  a  stripe  of  carmine  extending  from  the 
base  nearly  to  the  apex,  parallel  with  the  anterior 
margin  and  at  a  little  distance  from  it;  on  the 
hinder  border  there  are  two  remote  rounded  spots, 
and  a  dash  on  the  inner  edge,  of  the  same  brilliant 
red.  The  under  wings  are  entirely  bright  red, 
except  the  fringe  and  a  stripe  on  the  anterior  edge, 
which  are  greyish-black.  The  body,  antennae,  and 
legs  are  deep  black. 

The  caterpillar  is  likewise  prettily  marked,  being 
yellow  ringed  with  black.  (PL  xxi.  fig.  3.)  It 
feeds  on  the  flowers  of  the  ragwort  ( Senecio  Jaco- 
Icea),  and  probably  also  on  the  other  species  of  the 
genus,  several  of  which  are  well  known  to  be  com- 
mon weeds.  The  moth  is  of  occasional  occurrence 
apparently  throughout  Britain,  and  in  some  places 
it  is  abundant.  It  seems  to  be  nowhere  plentiftil 
in  Scotland,  but  specimens  have  been  obtained  from 
numerous  and  widely  scattered  localities.  "  Abun- 
dant on  the  Northumbrian  coast."  Sir  Wm.  Jar- 
e^  Bart, 


CRIMSON  SPECKLED  FOOTMAN. 


Deiopeia  pulchella* 
PLATE  XXI.   Fig.  4. 

Phal.  Tinea  pulchella,  Linn.  —  Lithosia  pulchella,  Hawortli.—. 
Bombyx  pulchra,  Hubner.  —  Deiopeia  pulchra,  Curtis^  iv. 
PI.  169. 

DEIOPEIA  has  been  separated  from  the  allied  genera 
in  consequence  of  haying  the  labial  palpi  three- 
jointed,  with  the  second  joint  longest,  the  third 
shortest  and  ovate;  antennas  alike  in  both  sexes, 
simple  ;  and  the  proboscis  as  long  as  the  antennae. 
The  anterior  wings  are  narrow  and  elongate,  the 
hinder  pair  ample,  somewhat  diaphanous,  and  much 
folded.  Besides  the  labial  palpi,  a  maxillary  pair 
likewise  exist,  but  they  are  exceedingly  minute  and 
consist  of  only  two  joints.  The  species  are  nu- 
merous on  the  continent,  but  that  which  we  have 
figured  is  the  only  one  that  inhabits  this  country. 
The  head,  thorax,  and  upper  wings  are  pale  straw- 
colour,  the  thorax  marked  with  yellow  and  rounded 
black  spots;  the  wings  with  five  curved  and  irre- 
gular transverse  rows  of  quadrate  black  spots,  the 
spaces  between  these  rows  occupied  with  several 


CRIMSON  SPECKLED  FOOTMAN.       221 

bright  scarlet  spots  varying  in  shape  and  size.  The 
abdomen  and  under  wings  are  white,  slightly  tinged 
with  blue,  the  latter  with  a  broad  dusky  marginal 
band,  sinuated  on  the  inner  side,  and  becoming 
narrow  towards  the  body,  the  transverse  nervure 
closing  the  basal  areolet  dilated  and  blackish ;  the 
fringe  of  all  the  wings  pale  yellow. 

The  caterpillar  is  hairy,  of  a  bluish-grey  colour, 
spotted  with  black  and  red,  and  having  a  white 
dorsal  line.  (PL  xxi.  fig.  5.)  It  feeds  on  Helio- 
tropium  Europeum,  Solanum  tomentosum,  and  field 
mouse- ear  (Myosotis  arvensis)^  only  the  latter  of 
which  is  indigenous  to  this  country. 

This  very  beautiful  moth  is  frequent  in  the 
southern  European  countries,  and  is  said  likewise 
to  be  found  in  Asia  and  America.  It  is  one  of  our 
rarest  native  species,  the  following,  we  believe,  being 
the  only  places  where  it  has  occurred,  and  only  a 
single  example  except  in  one  instance  having  been 
found  in  each :  near  Christchurch,  Hants ;  Hove, 
near  Brighton ;  Yorkshire. 


222 


BROAD-BORDERED  YELLOW  UNDERWINQ. 

Tripho&na  Fiinbria. 
PLATE  XXII.   Fig.  1. 

Phol.   Noctua   Fimbria,   Linn.;   Don.  vi.  PI.  208 Noctua 

Solani,  Fabr. — Broad-bordered  Yellow  Underwing,  Harris9 
Aurel.  PI.  v.  fig.  2 — Triphaena  Firabria,  Ochsen,  Stepk. 

THE  genus  Triphaena  (an  ancient  classical  name 
applied  to  a  female)  is  included  in  the  great  family 
of  the  NOCTUID^E,  and  is  readily  distinguished  from 
all  the  groups  to  which  our  attention  has  been 
hitherto  directed,  by  having  the  proboscis  long 
and  spiral,  like  that  of  the  diurnal  lepidoptera. 
The  palpi  rise  upwards  in  front  of  the  head  and  are 
somewhat  compressed,  the  radical  joint  shorter  than 
the  two  others,  the  second  long,  the  third  short 
and  attenuated,  with  the  tip  obtuse.  The  antennae 
are  simple  in  both  sexes,  those  of  the  male  ciliated 
on  the  under  side ;  the  thorax  without  a  crest,  but 
furnished  with  a  large  flap  or  tippet  in  front.  All 
the  species  are  of  middle  size,  and  rather  gaily 
coloured,  especially  on  the  underwings,  which  are 
bright  yellow  with  a  black  posterior  margin.  When 
they  fly  it  is  only  for  a  short  distance  at  a  time,  and 
chiefly  in  the  afternoon  and  evening.  In  the  earlier 


BROAD -BORDERED  YELLOW  UNDERWING.   223 

part  of  the  day  they  may  be  found  lurking  at  the 
«ides  of  stones  and  among  grass,  and  when  an 
rttempt  is  made  to  seize  them,  they  do  not  take 
wing,  but  attempt  to  escape  by  gliding  rapidly 
among  the  herbage.  The  most  abundant  species 
is  that  named  the  Great  Yellow  Underwing  (T. 
pronuba))  which  occurs  plentifully  in  all  parts  of 
Britain.  That  which  we  have  figured  is  much  less 
frequently  met  with,  but  it  inhabits  numerous  and 
widely  scattered  localities,  having  been  found  in 
Northumberland,  Yorkshire,  Devonshire,  Suffolk, 
&c.  It  is  nearly  of  the  same  size  as  the  common 
species ;  the  head,  thorax,  and  anterior  wings  grey- 
ish, dark  liver-coloured,  or  some  shade  intermediate 
between  these  two,  each  with  four  transverse  pale 
lines,  and  two  pale  rings  on  the  disk ;  the  line  next 
the  base  abbreviated,  the  second  and  third  angulated, 
and  enclosing  a  space  darker  than  the  rest  of  the 
wing  in  which  the  two  annular  marks  are  placed ; 
the  hinder  one  undulated,  having  one  or  two  black 
dots  at  its  anterior  extremity,  surmounted  by  a  few 
white  ones.  The  underwings  are  light  orange 
yellow,  with  a  very  broad  posterior  band  of  deep 
black,  which,  however,  does  not  cover  the  hinder 
edge :  the  abdomen  likewise  yellow ;  the  antennas 
brown,  whitish  at  the  base. 

The  caterpillar  is  large,  rough,  and  ochrey-yellow, 
with  a  pale  line  along  the  back,  and  white  stigmata 
surrounded  with  a  black  ring.  It  feeds  on  the 
potato,  violet,  hound's  tongue,  primrose,  &c.  The 
moth  is  found  in  June  and  July. 


224 


LARGE  SWORD-GRASS  MOTH 

Cilocampa  Exoleta. 
PLATE  XXII.    Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Noct.  Exoleta,  Linn.  ;  Don.  vi.  PI.  187,  larva. — Noctua 
Exoleta,  Hubner. — Sword- grass  Moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  18,  Harris. 
Xylina  Exoleta,  Curtis'  B.  E.  vi.  PI.  256 — Calocampa  Ex- 
oleta, Steph. 

ANTENNAE  setaceous,  rather  stout  in  the  males,  eac 
joint  ciliated  heneath  with  hairs ;  the  proboscis 
long  as  the  antennae ;  palpi  entirely  covered  wit 
long  trigonate  scales,  the  joints  robust,  the  seconc 
double  the  length  of  the  first,  the  terminal  on 
short  and  ovate,  with  the  apex  truncate ;  head  wit 
a  frontal  crest;  anterior  wings  long  and  narrow 
scarcely  wider  at  the  hinder  margin  (which 
dentate)  than  towards  the  base;  thorax  quadrate, 
slightly  crested,  and  three-lobed  behind ;  the  abdo 
men  depressed,  in  the  male  with  the  apex  triangu 
lar ;  such  are  the  principal  attributes  of  the  presen 
genus,  and  which  serve  to  distinguish  it  from  Xylina, 
with  which  it  has  generally  been  associated.  Only 
two  species  are  found  in  this  country,  and  one  ol 
them,  C.  Vetusta*  is  very  rare.  They  bear  con- 


LARGE  SWORD-GRASS  MOTH.  225 

Biderable  affinity  to  the  group  named  Cucullia  ;  an 
besides  other  properties  common  to  both,  have  this 
peculiarity,  that  when  they  are  made  to  fall  down 
they  roll  their  wings  closely  round  them  and  draw 
in  their  legs  and  antennae ;  a  position  in  which  they 
not  a  little  resemble  a  piece  of  dead  wood.  The 
species  figured  is  rather  the  largest  of  the  two, 
the  expansion  of  the  wings  being  frequently  up- 
wards of  two  inches.  The  prevailing  colour  is 
pale  ochreous,  inclining  to  reddish-brown  in  many 
places.  The  upper  wings  are  striated  with  dusky 
lines  towards  the  base,  and  the  inner  side  is  more 
or  less  clouded  with  the  same  colour ;  each  of  them 
with  two  approximating  ear-shaped  spots  near  the 
middle,  the  hinder  one  largest,  and  relieved  with 
black,  which  emits  one  or  two  salient  points  directed 
backwards;  the  fringe  brown  spotted  with  black. 
The  hinder  wings  are  dusky-grey,  with  a  darker 
lunulated  spot  towards  the  base ;  the  fringe  ochre- 
yellow.  The  thorax  is  dark-brown  on  the  back,  and 
the  abdomen  light  reddish-ochre,  obscurely  banded 
with  dark  brown. 

The  caterpillar  is  remarkably  beautiful*,  the 
ground  colour  being  a  rich  green,  the  back  adorned 
with  two  rows  of  white  spots,  connected  in  pairs, 
below  this  a  yellow  line,  succeeded  by  a  series  of 
small  round  spots,  and  then  a  red  line  just  over  the 
legs.  (PI.  xxn.  fig.  3.)  It  feeds  on  almost  every 

*  The  beauty  of  the  larvse  has  suggested  a  name  for  the  genus, 
Calocampa  being  derived  from  *«/.«;  beautiful,  and  x«/uir*  a 


226  LARGE  SWORD-GRASS  MOTH. 

kind  of  plant  but  prefers  spinach,  lettuce,  and  aspa- 
ragus. The  moth  is  found  in  summer  and  autumn, 
and  although  far  from  being  common,  occurs  now 
and  then  in  marshy  places  in  many  parts  of  the 
country.  "We  have  found  it  near  Jedburgh,  at 
Dudclingston  in  the  vicinity  of  Edinburgh,  and  have 
seen  examples  from  Perthshire.  In  England  it  has 
been  taken  at  Darenth  Wood,  near  Oxford,  and 
in  several  other  stations.  "  Several  specimens 
were  taken  at  Jardine  Hall  on  the  skep  during  the 
month  of  January  of  the  present  year."  Sir  W. 
Jardine,  Bart. 


THE  APRIL  MISELIA. 

Miselia  Aprilina. 
PLATE  XXIII.   Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Noct.  Aprilina,  Linn. — Noctua  Runica,  Fair. — Plial. 
Runica,  Don.  x.  PI.  354. — Marvel  du  Jour,  Flan-is — Mi- 
selia Aprilina,  Oclisen^  Stepli. 

THE  beautiful  little  group  distinguished  by  the  name 
of  Miselia  (from  /jufciv  to  hate  and  ij>./o£  the  mn)^ 
is  recognised  by  the  antennae  being  long,  robust 
in  the  males  and  sometimes  slightly  serrated :  thr 
maxillae  about  the  length  of  the  antennae;  the 
palpi  with  the  radical  joint  rather  robust,  the  second 
long  and  not  so  thick,  the  third  shortest  and  ovate, 
all  of  them  thickly  clothed  with  scales  except  the 


THE  APRIL  MISELIA.  227 

terminal  one  which  is  nearly  naked ;  the  head  tufted 
on  the  crown ;  the  thorax  robust  and  quadrate,  and 
the  abdomen  tufted  on  the  back  towards  the  base. 
All  the  wings  are  rather  narrow,  the  anterior  pair 
roundish  on  the  hinder  margin.  The  larva?  have 
the  head  and  pectoral  segments  a  little  depressed, 
and  the  head  is  considerably  retracted  in  repose. 
They  have  two  protuberances  on  the  back  of  the 
penultimate  segment ;  their  abode  is  usually  between 
the  bark  and  on  the  trunk  of  trees.  The  species 
named  Aprilina,  from  the  usual  period  of  its  first 
appearance,  has  the  upper  wings  of  a  fine  green, 
thickly  marked  with  transverse  black  streaks  and 
spots,  the  apex  with  two  rows  of  spots  shaped  like 
the  head  of  an  arrow,  one  of  the  rows  placed  upon 
the  hinder  margin.  The  under  wings  are  dusky 
brown,  with  a  faint  light-coloured  streak  on  the 
inner  side  rather  behind  the  middle,  and  another 
along  the  hinder  edge  ;  the  fringe  of  the  wings 
whitish  spotted  with  brown.  The  head  and  thorax 
are  the  colour  of  the  upper  wings,  the  latter  with 
some  black  marks  on  the  back  and  a  line  of  the 
same  colour  on  each  side  ;  abdomen  grey ;  legs 
ringed  with  black,  the  posterior  wings  having  a  black 
spot  in  the  middle  on  the  under  side. 

The  caterpillar  varies  in  appearance  according  to 
its  age,  and  even  full  grown  individuals  are  often 
very  dissimilar.  It  is  commonly  ash-grey,  with  dark 
spots  and  lines  on  the  back  and  sides ;  sometimes 
the  back  is  spotted  with  white,  and  the  sides  more 
or  less  striped  with  that  colour.  It  feeds  on  dif- 


228  THE  APRIL  MISELTA. 

ferent  kinds  of  forest  trees,  such  as  the  ash,  ^elm, 
beech,  &c.     The  moth  first  appears  in  the  middle 
of  April,  and  there  is  another  hatch  in  Octoher. 
"  This,"  says  Mr.  Haworth,  "is  at  once  a  plentiful, 
well  known,  and  beautiful  insect ;  but  it  is  remark- 
able that  none  of  our  collectors  ever  take  it  in  the 
winged  state,  and  very  rarely  in  that  of  a  larva. 
The  usual  mode  of  procuring  it  being  by  digging 
about  the  roots  of  oaks  an  inch  deep  for  the  pupae, 
which  are  annually  found  in  that  manner  in  con- 
siderable numbers."     The  insect  is  not  plentiful  in 
Scotland,  but  is  found  occasionally  throughout  the 
southern  counties. 


PEACH-BLOSSOM  MOTH. 

Tliyatira  Batis.m 
PLATE  XXIII.   Fig.  2. 


Curtis,  Steph. 

THYATIRA  has  the  antennae  simple  in  both  sexes  ; 
maxilla  as  long  as  the  antennae  ;  palpi  placed 
siderably  apart,  the  radical  and  terminal  joints 
equal  length,  both  of  them  short,  the  intermediate 
one  very  long  and  thick,  the  apical  one  with  sucl 
small  scales  that  it  appears  nearly  naked  ;  the  head 
transverse  ;  the  superior  wings  moderately  wide, 


PEACH-BLOSSOM  MOTH.  9 

with  the  tip  acute ;  the  body  rather  robust,  and  the 
thorax  furnished  with  a  transverse  crest,  which  is 
forked  posteriorly.  When  obtained  in  perfection, 
the  species  above  referred  to,  named  the  Peach-blos- 
som from  the  colour  of  the  spots  on  its  upper  wings, 
is  one  of  the  most  lovely  found  in  this  country. 
The  upper  wings  are  brown  with  dark  transvers 
waved  lines  rather  darkest  towards  the  base,  each 
of  them  with  five  rose-coloured  spots,  a  large  one 
at  the  base,  clouded  with  brown,  two  towards  the 
tip  (sometimes  united),  a  third  on  the  posterior 
angle  having  a  brown  spot  in  the  middle,  and  a 
smaller  one  on  the  inner  margin  ;  there  is  likewise 
a  minute  rosy  spot  on  the  hinder  margin  adjoining 
that  on  the  posterior  angle.  The  hinder  wings  are 
dusky  inclining  to  ochre-yellow,  and  having  a  pale 
waved  line  near  the  middle  ;  the  abdomen  of  a 
similar  colour. 

The  caterpillar  is  of  a  very  peculiar  form,  having 
a  large  gibbosity  on  the  back  a  little  behind  the 
head  cleft  at  the  summit  into  two  branches,  and 
triangular  elevations  along  the  back  marked  with  a 
pale  zigzag  line ;  the  colour  rust-brown  or  blackish. 
It  feeds  on  the  common  bramble.  The  moth  ap- 
pears in  June  and  July,  and  is  usually  found  in  the 
evening  in  the  "vicinity  of  woods  ;  it  is  not  however 
of  very  frequent  occurrence,  although  it  seems  to 
inhabit  all  the  southern  counties  of  England,  and 
has  occasionally  occurred  pretty  far  north.  "  Five 
or  six  specimens  have  been  taken  at  Jardine  Hall.*1 
Sir  W.  Jardine,  Bart. 


230 


BUFF  ARCHES. 

Thyatira  Derasa. 
PLATE  XXIII.   Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Noctua  Derasa,  Linn.  ,•  Don.  vii.  PI.  223,  fig.  1 Noctua 

derasina,  Haworth. — Buff  Arches,   WUkes^  Hani* Thya- 
tira Deraea,  Ochsen,  Steph. 

ABOUT  the  size  of  the  preceding,  or  a  little  larger; 
the  prevailing  colour  light  yellowish-brown  ;  the 
upper  wings  with  two  white  oblique  bands,  one  of 
them  extending  from  the  tip  to  the  inner  margin, 
the  other  continued  from  the  inner  margin  to  the 
anterior  one,  and  terminating  not  far  from  the  base, 
the  space  between  it  and  the  base  generally  more 
or  less  denuded  of  scales.  The  triangular  space 
between  the  two  bands  is  clouded  with  brown  and 
white,  and  there  is  a  transverse  series  of  several 
parallel  fine  brown  zigzag  lines,  forming  very  acute 
angles  on  a  whitish  ground ;  the  hinder  margin  of 
the  wing  brown,  with  two  rows  of  small  white 
arches,  surmounted  by  a  white  ill  defined  line ;  the 
fringe  likewise  whitish.  The  hinder  wings  are  some- 
what dusky  with  a  slight  ochreous  tinge,  the  fringe 
white. 


PLATE     24. 


1    1.  ///•/ •/////  Mt.ll,   '1.  .I/,////,-,/  Or.mii,'  J//////.    .3  . .  /////// ^ •///////-. »-. ;////// . 


BUFF  ARCHES.  231 

Tlie  caterpillar,  which  seems  to  be  a  general 
feeder,  is  yellowish-green,  with  dark -brown  spots 
and  lines  on  various  parts  of  the  body.  The  moth, 
which  is  prized  for  its  beauty  as  well  as  its  congener 
T.  batis,  is  much  more  common  than  that  species* 
being  frequently  found  in  most  parts  of  England, 
near  woods  and  in  shady  lanes.  It  becomes  scarce 
in  the  north,  but  has  been  taken  near  York  and  in 
Northumberland.  July  and  August  are  the  periods 
of  its  flight. 


THE  HERALD-MOTH, 

SooUopteryx  Ltftatrix. 
PLATE  XXIV.    Fig.  1. 


Phal.  Bomb.  Libatrix,  Linn. ;  Don.  vi.  PI.  216. — Bomb.  Li- 
batrus,  Furbelow-moth,  Haivorth. — Herald-moth,  //arm.— 
Calyptra  Libatrix,  Ochsen,  Steph. 


THIS  beautiful  moth  occurs  in  great  profusion  in 
the  more  southern  parts  of  England,  but  becomes 
rarer  as  we  advance  northwards,  and  cannot  be  said 
to  be  common  in  any  quarter  of  Scotland.  It  fre- 
quents places  where  willows  and  poplars  grow,  it 
being  upon  these  trees  that  the  larvae  feed.  It 
first  appears  in  July,  and  is  likewise  found  plenti- 
fully in  October,  whence  Aurelians  have  culled  it 


232  -       THE  HERALD-MOTH. 

the  Herald,  from  an  idea  that  its  appearance  gave 
indication  of  the  approach  of  winter.  The  expan- 
sion of  the  wings  is  from  an  inch  and  a  half  to  an 
inch  and  a  quarter ;  the  thorax  and  anterior  wings 
reddish-grey,  with  an  irregular  red  patch  at  the 
base,  a  round  white  spot  on  the  disk  of  each,  and 
two  oblique  transverse  white  bands,  one  a  little 
below  the  middle,  the  other  a  little  behind  it :  from 
the  outer  band  to  the  apex  the  colour  is  grey  with 
minute  dusky  points,  the  space  traversed  by  a  very 
faint  waved  whitish  streak.  The  rufous  patch  is 
sprinkled  with  minute  yellow  dots,  and  there  is  a 
distinct  row  of  small  white  marks  along  the  central 
nervure.  The  underwings  are  brownish,  becoming 
darker  towards  the  hinder  margin;  the  abdomen 
inclining  to  red  with  a  few  faint  dorsal  marks ;  the 
thorax  with  a  dusky  line  on  the  back  and  a  trans- 
verse streak  of  the  same  colour.  Legs  greyish ;  the 
tarsi  white,  spotted  with  rust-red.  The  caterpillar, 
which  is  slender  and  naked,  is  green  with  a  white 
line  on  each  side,  and  red  stigmata. — The  principal 
generic  distinctions  of  Scoliopteryx  are  the  lengthened 
palpi  clothed  with  long  capitate  scales,  the  radical 
joint  shortest,  the  other  two  rather  long  and  stout 
and  nearly  of  equal  length  ;  antennae  short  and 
strong,  bipectinated  to  the  apex  in  the  males,  slightly 
serrated  in  the  females ;  proboscis  rather  short,  kead 
and  thorax  each  with  a  crest  anteriorly ;  anterior 
wings  deeply  emarginate  on  the  hinder  edge  and 
somewhat  dentate ;  the  hinder  pair  very  slightly 
dentate. 


233 


MOTTLED  ORANGE-MOTH. 

Gortyna  flavago. 
PLATE  XXIV.   Fig.  2. 


Plial.  Noct.  Lappae,  Don.  x.  PI.  340  —  Noctua  Flavago, 
ner.  —  Noct.  Ochraceago,  Haworth,  234  __  Noct.  rutilago, 
Fabr  __  Mottled  Orange,  Harris*  Aurel.  PI.  35  __  Gortyna 
flavago,  Ochsen,  Curtis,  StepA* 

GORTYNA  has  antennas  of  moderate  length,  setace- 
ous, clothed  with  scales  above,  and  pubescent  be- 
neath; the  proboscis  slender  and  not  so  long  as 
the  antennae  ;  palpi  with  the  basal  joint  short  and 
curved  upwards,  the  second  long  and  attenuated, 
the  terminal  one  distinct,  somewhat  oval  and  com- 
pressed at  the  apex;  thorax  broad,  with  a  conical 
tuft  anteriorly,  and  trilobed  behind;  all  the  wings 
entire,  the  upper  pair  sublanceolate,  with  the  tip 
acute.  The  larva  is  fleshy,  furnished  only  with  a 
few  short  and  scattered  hairs.  It  feeds  on  the  pith 
and  internal  parts  of  vegetables,  and  bears  a  good 
deal  of  resemblance  to  those  of  Zeuzera,  Cucullm, 
and  others  of  similar  economy.  Only  two  British 
species  have  been  hitherto  detected,  of  which  that 
named  G.  flavago  is  by  far  the  most  handsome.  It 


234  MOTTLED  ORANGE-MOTH. 

expands  from  an  inch  and  a  quarter  to  nearly  an 
inch  and  a  half;  the  upper  wings  are  rich  yellow, 
variegated  with  reddish-brown,  the  latter  colour 
enclosing  several  spots  of  a  lighter  yellow  than  the 
rest,  each  wing  with  two  broad  transverse  bands  of 
reddish-brown,  one  near  the  base  the  other  near 
the  hinder  margin,  from  which  it  is  separated  by  a 
yellow  band  undulated  on  the  inner  side;  fringe 
long  and  thick,  the  colour  reddish-brown.  The 
hinder  wings  are  dirty  white,  glossy,  with  a  dusky 
crescent-shaped  mark  on  the  disk,  and  an  obscure 
band  posteriorly ;  the  fringe  ash-brown.  The  thorax 
and  abdomen  are  reddish-brown,  the  former  slightly 
tinged  in  certain  places  with  yellow.  The  cater- 
pillar feeds  on  the  pith  of  the  common  burdock 
(Arctium  Lappet)^  and  likewise  attacks  other  thick 
stemmed  plants,  such  as  Verlascum  Thapsus,  Scro- 
phularia  aquatica,  the  spear  thistle,  &c.  It  under- 
goes its  metamorphosis  in  the  interior,  where  the 
pupa  likewise  remains  till  the  moth  is  ready  to 
emerge,  which  usually  takes  place  towards  the  end 
of  autumn.  The  insect  is  not  rare  in  many  parts 
of  England,  bat  seems  to  become  very  scarce  as  we 
advance  northwards.  The  only  Scotch  specimen 
we  have  seen  was  taken  near  Ttosslyn. 


235 


THE  ANGLE  SHADES. 

PJiioyophora  Meticulosa. 
PLATE  XXIV.   Fig.  3. 

Phal.    Noct.   meticulosa,  Linn. ;    Don.   iv.    PL  139 — Angl*- 

Shades-Moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  3,  Harris'  Aurel.  PI.  41 Phlogo- 

phora  meticulosa,  Treitschke,  Ochsen,  Steph, 

IN  Phlogophora  (from  pXog  flame,  and  $tpn  to 
carry,  in  allusion  to  the  shape  of  the  markings  on 
the  anterior  wings)  the  antennas  are  long,  slender, 
and  ciliated  ;  the  abdomen  tufted  at  the  hase ;  the 
anterior  wings  rather  narrow,  with  a  sinuosity  on 
the  hinder  margin  and  several  ragged  teeth ;  the 
hinder  wings  very  slightly  dentate  on  the  edge. 
The  only  British  species  is  that  figured.  The  upper 
wings,  which  usually  measure  nearly  two  inches 
across,  are  pale  rosy-white,  more  or  less  clouded 
with  olive-brown,  each  of  them  with  a  large  tri- 
angular purplish  mark  in  the  centre,  beyond  which 
there  is  a  white  band,  the  margin  more  or  less 
marbled  with  olive-brown.  The  hinder  wings  are 
whitish,  sometimes  with  a  faint  rosy  tinge  pos- 
teriorly, having  a  dusky  central  crescent,  and  two 
or  three  faint  transverse  waved  dusky  lines. 


236  THE  ANCIX  SHADES. 

The  caterpillar  is  usually  green,  with  a  row  of 
oblong  white  spots  on  the  back,  and  a  continuous 
white  line  on  each  side  just  over  the  legs.  It  feeds 
on  culinary  vegetables  and  many  of  our  common 
field  plants.  The  moth  may  be  said  to  be  common 
in  most  parts  of  the  country,  but  is  much  scarcer  in 
Scotland  than  further  south.  April,  June,  and 
September  are  the  months  in  which  it  appears  most 
plentifully,  there  being  apparently  three  broods  in 
the  season. 


PEASE-BLOSSOM  MOTH. 

Chariclea  Delphinii. 
PLATE  XXV.   Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Noct.  Delphinii,  Linn.;  Don.  x.  PI.  331. — Pease-Blo&- 

som  Moth,   Wilkes,  (PI.  3.)  Harris Chariclea  Delphinii, 

Steph.  ;  Curtis,  vol.  ii.  76. 

THE  beautiful  insect  for  the  reception  of  which  the 
genus  Chariclea  has  been  established,  fcears  con- 
siderable affinity  to  Cucullia  both  in  the  state  of 
moth  and  caterpillar.  The  antennas  are  covered 
with  scales  above,  and  are  hairy  beneath ;  the  pro- 
boscis nearly  as  long  as  the  body ;  the  palpi  entirely 
covered  with  long  thick-set  hair,  upon  the  removal 
of  which  the  radical  joint  appears  longest,  the  ter- 
minal one  small  and  ovate.  The  upper  wings  are 


pillar  of  £? 


PEASE-BLOSSOM  MOTH.  237 

narrow,  veiy  slightly  notched  on  the  hinder  margin, 
and  furnished,  as  well  as  the  under  wings,  with  a 
yery  long  fringe  :  the  anterior  tibiae  very  short,  and 
hearing  two  naked  horny  spines  at  the  extremity. 
The  Larkspur  or  Pease-blossom  Moth  expands 
about  an  inch  and  a  quarter ;  the  upper  wings  with 
a  broad  three-lobed  band  at  the  base,  and  a  narrow 
one  behind  the  middle,  of  a  purple  colour ;  the 
space  between  these  bands,  which  is  bounded  on 
each  side  by  a  pale  sinuated  line,  variegated  with 
pale  rose-colour  and  purple;  the  hinder  margin 
likewise  pale  rosy,  with  a  black  line  next  the 
fringe ;  the  latter  yellowish- white.  The  under 
wings  are  whitish,  tinged  with  rose-colour  behind, 
and  having  a  transverse  dusky  spot  near  the  middle 
yellowish-white. 

The  caterpillar  is  yellow,  tinged  with  lilac  on  the 
back  and  belly,  where  it  is  likewise  marked  with 
numerous  rows  of  black  spots ;  each  side  with  a  line 
of  rather  bright  yellow.  It  feeds  on  the  wild  Lark- 
spur (Delphinium  Consolida),  a  plant  which  grows 
pretty  abundantly  in  some  of  the  southern  counties 
of  England,  but  which  is  not  found  in  a  wild  state 
in  Scotland. 

"  This  charming  moth,"  says  Mr.  Curtis,  "  is  no 
less  esteemed  for  its  rarity  than  for  its  lovely 
colours ;  the  specimens  in  Mr  Stephen's  cabinet,  as 
well  as  those  in  the  British  Museum,  are  from 
Windsor ;  and  it  has  once  been  taken  by  the  late 
Mr.  Jones  in  his  garden  at  Chelsea.  Its  favourite 
food  is  the  larkspur ;  it  therefore  ought  to  be  met 


238  PEASE-BLOSSOM  MOTH. 

with  in  Cambridgeshire,  and  districts  where  that 
plant  abounds  in  a  natural  state.  It  is,  however, 
probable  that  this  is  one  of  those  insects,  which,  if 
not  periodical,  appears  in  very  small  numbers ; 
which  opinion  is  strengthened  by  the  fact,  that  it  is 
very  rare  upon  the  Continent,  where  it  fetches  very 
high  prices ;  and  we  are  informed  by  Mr.  Haworth, 
that  the  great  patroness  of  Natural  History,  the  late 
Dui chess  of  Portland,  possessed  only  a  wing  of  the 
moth,  found  in  a  spider's  web  at  Bubtrode.  In 
Wilkes'  days  (1773),  it  was  bred,  he  says,  by  the 
Honourable  Mrs.  Walters,  and  by  Nathaniel  Old- 
ham,  Esq."* 


THE  GAMMA-MOTH. 

Plusia  Gamma. 
PLATE  XXV.  Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Noct.  Gamma,  Linn.  ;  Don.  viii.  PI:  265.  fig.  2.— Noc- 
tua  Gamma,  Hvbner. — Silver  Y  Moth,  Wilkes. — Plusia 
Gamma,  OcJisen,  Steph. 

ANTENNA  simple  in  both  sexes,  of  moderate  length  ; 
palpi  longer  than  the  head,  the  radical  joint  nearly 
of  the  same  length  as  the  terminal  one,  the  latter 
linear  and  obtuse  at  the  apex,  the  intermediate 
joint  double  the  length  of  the  others  and  tapering 

*  Brit  Entoin.  vol.  ii.  fol.  76. 


THE  GAMMA-MOTH.  239 

towards  the  tip ;  proboscis  long ;  head  and  thorax 
both  crested;  the  abdomen,  which  is  rather  long 
and  thick,  likewise  bearing  tufts  at  the  base  and 
along  the  back ;  fringe  of  the  anterior  wings  slightly 
emarginate,  that  of  the  posterior  entire  :  caterpillars 
half  loopers,  possessing  only  four  ventral  legs  and 
the  usual  posterior  pair.  Such  are  the  distinguish- 
ing characters  of  this  handsome  genus,  which  con- 
tains about  a  dozen  indigenous  species.  All  of 
them  are  remarkable  for  the  rich  metallic  marks 
on  the  anterior  wings,  which  sometimes  assume 
the  appearance  of  written  characters.  They  fly 
during  the  day,  skipping  about  from  one  plant 
to  another  in  a  restless  manner,  and  with  much 
rapidity,  keeping  their  wings,  while  feeding,  in  con- 
stant vibration,  somewhat  like  the  Humming-bird 
Hawk-moth.  The  most  common  and  best  known 
of  these  insects  is  represented  on  the  adjoining  plate. 
It  measures  from  an  inch  and  one-third,  to  upwards 
of  an  inch  and  a  half;  the  upper  wings  grey,  varie- 
gated with  dusky  brown,  having  a  pale  blotch  ante- 
riorly towards  the  apex,  and  a  few  transverse  slightly 
waved  dark  lines ;  the  disk  of  each  inscribed  with  a 
silvery  character,  resembling  the  letter  Y,  or  rather 
the  Greek  y ;  fringe  somewhat  dentate,  greyish, 
spotted  with  dusky  brown.  Hinder  wings  ash- 
brown,  the  nervures  and  hinder  margin  deep  brown; 
the  fringe  light-coloured  with  dark  spots.  The  head 
and  thorax  are  ash-grey ;  the  abdomen  rather  of  a 
lighter  hue. 

The  colour  varies  considerably  in  intensity,  and 


240  THE  GAMMA-MOTH. 

the  character  on  the  anterior  wings  is  sometimes  of 
a  golden  hue. 

The  caterpillar  is  green,  with  a  faint  yellow  streak 
along  the  sides,  and  white  ones  along  the  back  ;  it 
feeds  on  almost  any  of  our  common  field  plants, 
and  is  well  known  for  the  extensive  depredations  it 
sometimes  commits/  (PL  xxv.  fig.  3.)  The  moth 
is  found  from  April  to  September,  and,  even  so  late 
as  the  beginning  of  November  it  may  sometimes  be 
seen  in  fine  weather  hovering  about  the  few  flowers 
that  retain  their  blossoms  till  that  season.  It  seems 
to  inhabit  all  parts  of  Britain :  we  have  seen  speci- 
mens from  the  most  northern  quarters  of  Scotland 


BURNISHED-BRASS  MOTH. 

Plusia  Chrysitis. 
PLATE  XXV.   Fig.  4. 

Phal.  Noct.  Chrysitis,  Linn. ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  137 — Phytometra 
Chrysitis,  Haworth. — Burnished-Moth,  TT^y&es..— Burnished- 

Brass  Moth,  Harris'  Aurel.  PI.  22 Plusia  Chrysitis,  Och- 

sen,  StepJi. 

THIS  elegant  species  is  about  the  size  of  the  pre- 
ceding, but  differs  from  many  others  belonging  to  the 
same  genus  in  the  shape  of  the  wings.  The  ante- 
rior pair  are  pale  fuscous,  ornamented  with  a  broad 
band  near  the  base,  generally  of  a  golden-green 


BURNISHED-BRASS  MOTH.  241 

colour,  but  variable  in  the  tint;  the  green  sometimes 
predominating,  at  other  times  the  yellow ;  and  a 
second  of  a  similar  colour  behind  the  middle,  placed 
obliquely,  and  frequently  united  to  the  other  by  an 
oblong  patch  on  the  inner  margin.  Near  the  apex 
there  is  a  transverse  line  of  deep  brown,  and  the 
nervures  are  likewise  of  that  colour.  Posterior 
wings  dusky-brown,  the  fringe  of  both  pairs  red- 
dish-brown. Head  and  thorax  yellowish,  the  latter 
brownish-grey  on  the  sides ;  abdomen  brown,  tinged 
with  yellow,  the  hairs  on  the  sides  and  hinder 
extremity  inclining  to  rust  -red. 

The  caterpillar,  which  feeds  on  a  variety  of  com- 
mon plants,  is  green,  with  a  longitudinal  white  line 
on  the  sides,  and  oblique  streaks  of  the  same  colour 
on  the  back.  The  moth  frequents  lanes,  the  rank 
vegetation  found  among  rubbish,  &c.  and  is  very 
common  in  the  vicinity  of  London  and  other  places 
in  the  south  of  England.  It  becomes  scarce  in  the 
north,  and  is  not  frequently  observed  in  Scotland, 
although  occurring  at  times  in  the  southern  counties, 
as  we  have  seen  examples  from  Roxburghshire, 
Dumfries-shire%  Peebles.  &c. 


242 


THE  CL1PDEN  NONPAREIL. 

Catocala  Fraxini. 
PLATE  XXVI.    Fig.  1 

Viial.  Noct.  Fraxini,  Linn. ;  Don.  v.  PI.  171  and  172.— Clifden 
Nonpareil,  Wilkes  (PI.  90),  Harris*  Aurd.  PI.  31.— Catocaia 
Fraxini,  Shrank,  Steph.  Curtis'  B.  E.  fol.  217. 

THE  genus  Catocala  of  Shrank  contains  several  of 
the  largest  and  handsomest  moths  indigenous  to 
this  country.  The  wings  are  large,  and  extended 
by  means  of  very  strong  nervures,  the  upper  pair 
some  shade  of  grey  on  the  surfece,  finely  mottled 
and  waved  with  dark  brown  spots  and  streaks, 
forming  a  striking  contrast  with  the  under  wings, 
which  (except  in  the  species  named  above)  are 
bright  red,  with  transverse  black  bars.  The  cater- 
pillars are  what  are  called  half-loopers,  because  in 
walking  they  partially  assume  the  attitude  of  the 
kinds  which  are  without  abdominal  legs ;  and  con- 
formably with  this  circumstance,  the  first  pair  of 
legs  are  found  to  be  smaller  than  the  others,  snowing 
a  tendency  to  become  obsolete,  and  thus  indicating 
a  certain  degree  of  affinity  with  the  geometers 
properly  so  called.  They  are  densely  ciliated  on  the 


•\xi 


.  Ctifilm  X,, ii/nii:  ,7 


TIIE  CLIFDEN  NONPAREIL.       .  248 

sides,  attenuated  before  and  behind,  and  furnished 
with  a  caudal  prominence.  These  insects  may  be 
distinguished  as  a  genus  by  the  length  of  the  trunk, 
which  is  equal  to  that  of  the  antennae ;  by  the  palpi, 
which  have  the  middle  joint  nearly  one  half  longer 
than  the  two  others,  and  so  densely  clothed  with 
scait^  as  to  appear  double  the  thickness  of  the 
terminal  one,  the  latter  being  short  and  slender ; 
by  the  abdomen  being  attenuated  posteriorly,  and 
the  fringe  of  the  wings,  especially  in  the  hinder 
pair,  being  long  and  rather  deeply  indented  :  the 
thorax  slightly  crested,  large,  and  strong ;  the  head 
small,  and  the  antennae  long  and  setaceous,  covered 
with  scales  externally,  and  short  hairs  on  the  inner 
side. 

The  species  named  C.  Traxini  is  the  largest 
moth  found  in  this  country,  the  expansion  of  the 
wings  sometimes  reaching  four  inches.  The  thorax 
and  upper  wings  are  light  grey  on  the  surface,  the 
latter  variegated  with  transverse  undulating  lines  of 
brown.  The  under  wings  are  brownish-black,  with 
a  broad  curved  band  of  light  blue  across  the  middle. 
The  fringe  of  all  the  wings  is  pure  white,  deeply 
indented,  and  preceded  by  a  row  of  dusky  triangular 
marks,  having  the  point  turned  outwards,  which  is 
most  distinct  in  the  hinder  wings.  The  under  side 
of  the  body  and  legs  are  white,  the  tarsi  of  the 
anterior  pair  spotted  with  brown  above. 

The  caterpillar  lives  on  the  ash,  poplar,  oak,  elm, 
birch,  &c.  It  is  ash-coloured,  more  or  less  yellow- 
ish, and  sprinkled  with  minute  black  dots,  Tha 


244  THE  CLIFDEN  NONPAREIL. 

head  is  greenish,  with  two  frontal  black  crescents  ; 
the  eighth  segment  having  a  dorsal  protuberance  of 
a  bluish-black  colour,  and  marked  with  a  few  yellow 
spots.  On  the  ninth  segment  there  is  an  oblique 
black  line  extending  to  the  hinder  stigmata;  the 
latter  are  all  surrounded  with  a  black  ring.  It 
spins  a  very  loose  cocoon  among  a  few  leaves,  and 
changes  into  a  reddish-brown  chrysalis,  powdered 
with  pale  blue,  and  having  two  small  blue  tubercler 
on  each  side  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  segments. 

It  is  a  rare  insect  in  this  country,  and  indigenous 
specimens  in  good  condition  may  still  be  regarded 
as  a  valuable  addition  to  a  cabinet.  It  was  first 
figured  by  Wilkes  as  a  British  insect,  and  is  said  by 
him  to  have  been  found  at  Cleifden,  in  Bucking- 
hamshire; whence  the  English  name  he  has  as- 
signed to  it.  It  has  since  been  observed  in  Suffolk, 
Kent,  Surrey,  and  a  few  other  places ;  the  vicinity 
of  York  is  the  most  northern  locality  that  has  been 
cited.  In  France,  Germany,  and  other  continental 
countries,  it  occurs  much  more  plentifully. 


BED  UNDERWING. 

Catocala  Nupta. 
PLATE  XXVI.    Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Noct.  Nupta,  Linn.  ;  Don.  vii.  PL  224 Red  Under- 

wing,  Harris''  Aurel.  PI.  18 Hemigeometra  Nupta,  //in- 

worth,  268. 

EXTENT  of  the  wings  about  three  inches  or  up- 
wards; the  surface  of  the  upper  pair  dark  grey, 
with  transverse  waved  streaks  and  spots  of  brown 
and  obscure  yellow,  the  hinder  border  with  a  series 
of  transverse  lunulated  spots,  and  two  waved  dusky 
lines  on  the  fringe.  The  underwings  are  of  a  deep 
and  beautiful  blood-red  inclining  to  carmine,  with 
a  curved  sinuated  band  of  deep  black  near  the 
middle,  which  tapers  and  disappears  before  reaching 
the  inner  edge  of  the  wing,  and  a  broad  marginal 
band  sinuated  internally;  the  fringe  pure  white, 
with  vestiges  of  ferruginous  spots  at  the  base.  The 
thorax  and  abdomen  are  brownish-grey  above,  but 
white  beneath ;  the  legs  brown,  ringed  with  white 
on  the  tarsi.  The  under  side  of  the  upper  wings  is 
black,  with  a  faint  bluish  play  of  colour,  and  three 
white  transverse  bands,  the  central  one  abbreviated, 


246  RED  TJNDERWING, 

and  the  outer  one  attenuated  and  forming  an  acute 
V-shaped  angle  towards  the  inner  margin;  the 
apex  and  the  fringe  greyish-white,  each  tooth  of 
the  latter  bearing  a- transverse  dusky  arc. 

The  caterpillar  is  attenuated  at  both  extremities  ; 
the  colour  grey,  inclining  to  white,  and  variegated 
with  brawn;  having  two  rows  of  small  tubercles 
along  the  back,  and  a  callous  protuberance  on  the 
eighth  segment.  The  belly  is  greenish,  with  a  lon- 
gitudinal series  of  black  spots  in  the  middle;  the 
head  bordered  with  black.  The  chrysalis  is  reddish- 
brown,  and  covered  with  a  kind  of  bloom  of  a  blue 
colour.  The  caterpillar  feeds  on  the  poplar  and 
willow ;  and  the  moth  continues  to  frequent  these 
trees,,  and  may  often  be  seen  reposing  on  their 
stems,  particularly  of  the  willow.  It  occurs  very 
frequently  in  the  southern  parts  of  England,  and 
is  not  rare  even  in  the  more  northern  counties, 
although  we  are  not  aware  that  it  extends  to 
Scotland. 

We  now  come  to  that  section  of  the  nocturnal 
lepidoptera  which  includes  the  extensive  family  of 
Geometrine  moths,  the  peculiar  characters  of  which 
have  already  been  alluded  to.  They  constitute  the 
Phalamce  geometrce  of  Linne,  and  the  Lepidoptera 
semidiurna^  Phalcenites,  or  Arpenteuses,  of  more 
recent  writers.  The  caterpillars  are  remarkable  for 
their  mode  of  progression  and  long  narrow  bodies, 
which  are  generally  free  from  hair,  but  not  unfre- 
quently  furnished  with  knobs  and  protuberances. 


RED  UNDERWING.  247 

The  majority  have  ten  feet,  six  of  which,  placed 
upon  the  pectoral  segments,  are  scaly  and  conical ; 
the  other  four  are  memhranous,  a  pair  of  them 
situate  near  the  hinder  part  o£  the  abdomen,  the 
other  at  the  extremity.  The  abdominal  legs  are 
sometimes  wholly  wanting,  hut  the  anal  pair  is 
indispensably  requisite  to  enable  the  animal  to 
execute  its  peculiar  movements.  Many  of  these 
caterpillars  feed  only  in  the  night,  and  may  be 
observed  during  the  day,  if  the  eye  happen  to  dis- 
tinguish them  from  the  surrounding  twigs  which 
they  often  strikingly  resemble,  with  their  bodies 
suspended  in  the  air  perfectly  motionless,  forming 
an  angle  with  the  branch  to  which  they  cling  by 
their  hinder  prolegs.  The  moths,  however,  are  by 
no  means  exclusively  nocturnal,  and  several  of 
them  may  occasionally  be  noticed  on  the  wing  even 
in  the  heat  of  the  day.  Their  bodies  are  generally 
slender,  the  abdomen  of  the  male  terminating  in  a 
small  tuft :  the  antennae  in  that  sex  frequently  pec- 
tinated, at  other  times  simple ;  the  palpi  short  and 
somewhat  cylindrical ;  the  proboscis  occasionally  ob- 
solete,— when  developed,  not  very  long  and  nearly 
membranous;  the  wings  ample,  and  extended  almost 
horizontally  during  repose.  The  first  species  selected 
to  illustrate  this  division  is  named 


248 


THE  BRIMSTONE-MOTH 

Rumia  Cratcegata, 
PLATE  XXVII.  Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Geom.  Crataegata,  Linn. — Geom.  Crataegaria,  Haivortk. 

Brimstone-moth,   Wttkes,   PI.  80 Yellow   or   Brimstone, 

Harris. — Rumia  Crataegata,  Duponchel,  Steph. 

IT  expands  from  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  two-thirds  ; 
the  colour  deep  sulphur  yellow,  the  anterior  edge  of 
the  upper  wings  with  two  narrow  reddish-brown 
spots  towards  the  base,  a  third  near  the  middle 
produced  internally  and  having  a  white  mark  in  the 
centre,  and  a  pretty  large  one  on  the  apex ;  behind 
the  middle  there  is  a  transverse  row  of  faint  dusky 
marks,  and  two  or  three  others  near  the  base.  The 
hinder  wings  hare  a  small  dusky  spot  on  the  disk, 
sometimes  with  a  white  centre,  and  several  evanes- 
cent dusky  marks,  some  of  them  forming  a  kind 
of  band  posteriorly.  The  fringe  is  nearly  the  same 
colour  as  the  wings,  and  marked  in  certain  places 
with  reddish-brown  spots. 

The  caterpillar,  which  is  elongate  and  cylindrical, 
is  pale  brown,  with  a  bluish  spot  on  each  side  of 
the  neck,  and  the  spiracles  on  the  sixth  segment 


I  .///•////. N-A////  Mull,          '2.  ,\ u ,///,/ti •-///// Mnih. 


THE  BRIMSTONE-  MOTH.  249 

tinged  with  red ;  the  back  with  two  horn-like  pro- 
tuberances. Its  favourite  food  is  the  hawthorn,  but 
it  likewise  frequents  the  sloe,  apple-tree,  bramble, 
&c.  The  moth  is  one  of  our  more  common  species, 
and  is  distributed  over  the  whole  island.  It  is 
found  from  ^pril  to  October  or  November,  there 
being  several  broods  in  the  year. 


SWALLOW-TAIL  MOTH. 

Ourapteryx  Sambucaria. 
PLATE  XXVII.   Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Geom.  Sambucaria,  Linn.;  Don.  v.  PL  170 Swallow- 
tail Moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  7 8  ;  Harris. — Ourapteryx  Sambucaria, 
Leach,  Zool.  Mag.  i.  PI.  35,  fig.  2. 

THE  most  characteristic  feature  in  the  present  genus 
is  that  to  which  both  the  generic  and  English  names 
refer,  namely,  the  prolongation  of  the  hinder  wings 
into  a  pretty  lengthened  acute  tail.  The  anterior 
wings  are  likewise  very  acute  at  the  tip,  and  some- 
what falcate,  the  margin  entire.  The  antenna  are 
of  moderate  length  and  simple  in  both  sexes ;  the 
palpi  short,  the  proboscis  nearly  as  long  as  the 
antennae.  The  caterpillar  has  six  pectoral  legs,  and 
four  prolegs  at  the  hinder  extremity.  The  Swallow- 
tail is  one  of  the  largest  of  our  native  geometrine 
moths?  the  extent  of  the  wings  frequently  measuring 


250  SWALLOW-TATL  MOTH. 

two  inches  and  a  half.  The  colour  is  delicate  sul- 
phur-yellow, shaded  at  the  base  of  the  wings  into 
satiny-white,  and  deepening  towards  the  hinder 
extremity ;  the  surface  marked  with  numerous  dark 
evanescent  streaks,  placed  transversely ;  two  lines 
of  deep  yellow  run  across  the  anterior  wings,  and  a 
single  one  across  the  under  pair,  the  latter  forming 
a  continuation,  when  the  wings  are  expanded,  of 
the  innermost  of  the  two  anterior  lines.  At  the 
base  of  the  tail  there  are  two  small  blackish  spots, 
the  larger  one  with  a  reddish  centre,  and  the  fringe 
is  ochrey-yellow,  inclining  in  some  places  to  reddish- 
brown. 

The  colour  of  the  caterpillar  is  reddish-brown, 
with  darker  longitudinal  lines ;  the  head  flat  and 
oval.  It  feeds  on  the  leaves  of  various  shrubs  and 
trees,  but  prefers  the  elder,  willow,  and  lime.  It 
changes  to  a  long  narrow  pupa  of  a  brown  colour, 
with  darker  spots  and  streaks,  which  is  inclosed  in 
a  thin  spinning  among  leaves.  The  moth  appears 
on  the  wing  in  June  and  July,  and  is  not  scarce  in 
many  parts  of  England,  especially  in  the  south ;  but 
it  appears  to  be  somewhat  rare  in  Scotland. 


251 


LARGE  EMERALD-MOTH. 

Hipparchus  Papilionarius. 
PLATE  XXVII.  Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Geom.  Papilionaria,  Linn. ;  Don.  viii.  PL  287. — Geo- 
metra  Papilionaria,  Hubner^  Haworth. — The  Large  Emerald, 
Harris. — Hipparchus  Papilionarius,  Leach,  Steph. 

THIS  genus  was  first  characterized  by  Dr.  Leach, 
and  has  been  adopted  with  some  modifications  by 
most  succeeding  writers.  The  species  which  it 
formerly  embraced  are  noted  for  their  beautiful  tints 
of  green,  which  caused  them  to  be  known  by  the 
appellation  of  Emerald-moths.  These,  however,  are 
now  distributed  in  other  genera,  and  the  only  one 
left  under  the  old  designation  is  the  fine  insect 
represented  on  the  adjoining  plate.  The  wings 
generally  exceed  two  inches  in  extent,  and  some- 
times are  two  inches  and  a  half  in  the  female  ;  the 
surface  deep  grass- green,  with  two  rows  of  whitish 
spots  extending  across  both  wings,  rather  behind  the 
middle ;  on  the  disk  of  each  there  is  an  obscure 
crescent-shaped  spot  of  a  deeper  green  than  the 
rest ;  the  fringe  is  gree'nish  -yellow,  and  the  antennas 
reddish-brown,  particularly  in  the  male. 


252  LARGE  EMERALD-MOTH 

The  caterpillar  has  six  pectoral,  two  abdominal, 
and  two  anal  feet.  It  is  green,  with  a  yellow  line 
on  each  side  and  reddish  warts  on  the  back ;  and 
feeds  on  the  elm,  lime,  alder,  birch,  &c.  The  moth 
appears  in  the  end  of  July,  frequenting  woods  and 
meadows,  but  is  not  very  frequently  met  with  in 
any  part  of  Britain.  It  has,  however,  been  found 
in  Askam  Bogs  Yorkshire,  in  Kent,  Surrey,  near 
Reading,  in  Warwickshire,  and  many  other  parts  of 
England,  and  on  two  or  three  occasions  near  Rae- 
hills  in  Dumfries-shire,  as  well  as  at  Cramond  near 
Edinburgh.  As  a  genus,  Hipparchus  is  distinguished 
by  the  following  characters  :  antennae  pectinated  in 
the  males  almost  to  the  apex,  the  pectinations 
ciliated ;  antennae  of  the  female  simple ;  proboscis 
spiral,  much  shorter  than  the  antennae ;  palpi  pro- 
jecting nearly  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  approxi- 
mating at  the  tip ;  the  radical  joint  very  short,  the 
second  very  long,  the  terminal  one  lanceolate,  free 
from  hairs,  and  somewhat  pointed;  upper  wings 
covering  the  under  pair  when  at  rest,  the  latter 
with  the  hinder  margin  dentate. 


rr*  ofD* 
tied  Beauty. 


263 


MAGPIE  OR  GOOSEBERRY-MOTH, 

Alrcutas  Grossulariatot. 
PLATE  XXVIII.   Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Geom.  Grossulariata,  Linn.  ;  Don.  i.  PI.  4. — The  Mag- 
pie, Haworth — Large  Magpie  or  Moth,  Wilkes,  PI.  85.— 
Currant  Moth,  Harris"1  Aurel  PI.  12. — Abraxas  Grossula- 
riata, Leach,  Steph. 

THE  establishment  of  this  genus  is  due  to  Dr.  Leach, 
who  assigns  as  its  distinctive  characters  the  shape 
of  the  wings,  which  are  broad  and  rounded  at  the 
tip,  the  outer  edge  entire ;  expanded  during  repose. 
The  antennae  are  of  moderate  length,  and  simple  in 
both  sexes.  The  palpi  are  very  short,  the  radical 
joint  short  and  robust,  second  longer,  third  globose 
and  concealed  by  scales.  The  maxillae  are  long,  the 
thorax  and  abdomen  slender,  especially  in  the  male. 
It  contains  three  British  species,  all  of  which  are 
somewhat  scarce,  except  that  which  we  have  figured, 
which  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  abundant 
of  our  native  moths.  The  upper  wings,  which 
measure  from  an  inch  and  one-third  to  nearly  two 
inches,  are  white  with  two  bright  yellow  bands,  one 
at  the  base,  the  other  a  little  beyond  the  middle, 


254  MAGPIE  OR  GOOSEBERRY-MOTH. 

and  six  transverse  rows  of  rounded  black  spots ;  the 
first  consisting  of  a  single  spot  or  two  at  the  base, 
the  third  irregular  and  interrupted,  the  fourth  and 
fifth  enclosing  the  outermost  of  the  yellow  bands 
formerly  mentioned,  and  the  sixth  on  the  hinder 
margin :  these  spots  vary  much  in  size  and  position, 
and  some  of  them  are  generally  more  or  less  con- 
fluent. The  under  wings  have  a  few  scattered 
spots  on  the  disk,  and  a  continuous  series  of  larger 
size  round  the  posterior  border.  The  body  is  yel- 
low, with  rows  of  black  spots;  the  head  and  an- 
tennae of  the  latter  colour.  Varies  greatly  in  the 
marks,  being  sometimes  nearly  all  black. 

The  caterpillar  is  very  similar  in  its  markings  to 
the  perfect  insect,  the  prevailing  colour  being  white, 
slightly  tinged  with  blue,  the  back  with  numerous 
black  spots  of  various  dimensions,  and  the  lower 
parts  of  the  sides,  and  the  belly,  yellow,  sprinkled 
with  black  dots.  (PL  xxvm.  fig.  2.)  The  chrysalis 
is  pitchy-black,  with  yellow  bands  on  the  segments. 
The  moth  appears  pretty  early  in  the  summer,  and 
abounds  wherever  the  appropriate  food  of  the  cater- 
pillar (the  common  currant  and  gooseberry-bushes) 
is  to  be  obtained. 


255 


THE  MOTTLED  BEAUTY. 

Melanippe  Hastata. 
PLATE  XXVIII.  Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Geom.  Hastata,  Linn. ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  129 — Phal.  Hastata, 

Hatvorth The  Mottled  Beauty,  a  Moth,   Wilkes. — Argent 

and  Sable,  Harris*  Aurel.  PI.  15.— Xerene  Hastata,  Treitschke, 
Steph. 

BEARS  considerable  affinity  to  the  preceding  genus 
but  the  anterior  wings,  instead  of  being  much 
rounded  off  at  the  tip,  are  but  slightly  so  and 
almost  come  to  an  obtuse  point.  The  proboscis  is 
rather  long,  the  antennas  slender,  simple  in  both 
sexes,  and  the  palpi  short,  slender,  and  acute,  the 
terminal  joint  small  and  pointed.  The  species  above 
named  differs  slightly  from  the  species  with  which 
it  has  usually  been  associated,  and  forms  the  type  of 
Duponchel's  genus  Melanippe.  It  measures  from  an 
inch  to  nearly  an  inch  and  a  half  across  the  wings  ; 
the  ground  colour  white,  with  a  broad  irregular 
black  band  round  the  hinder  margin  of  all  the 
wings,  continuous  externally,  but  spotted  and  inter- 
rupted on  the  inner  side  :  across  the  middle  of  the 
upper  wings  is  another  black  band  very  irregular, 
being  nearly  divided  in  the  middle,  and  interrupted 


256  THE  MOTTLED  BEAUTY. 

behind  the  middle  by  the  ground  colour ;  the  base 
occupied  by  another  band,  similarly  interrupted,  and 
nearly  divided  by  a  white  crescent.  The  under 
wings  have  a  cross  band  of  black  angular  spcts, 
rather  before  the  middle,  in  continuation,  when  the 
wings  are  expanded,  of  the  central  one  on  the  upper 
pair.  The  fringe  is  rather  long  and  thick,  and 
consists  of  regularly  alternating  tufts  of  black  and 
white  plumelets ;  body  and  antennae  black,  spotted 
with  white. 

The  caterpillar,  which  feeds  on  the  birch,  is  dusky- 
brown,  with  undulating  yellow  lines  on  the  sides. 
The  moth  is  found  in  June  and  July,  but  is  by  no 
means  of  frequent  occurrence.  It  is  met  with  oc- 
casionally, however,  in  most  of  the  southern  counties 
of  England. 


CLIFDEN  BEAUTY. 

Zerene  Albicitlata. 
PLATE  XXVIII.  Fig.  4. 

Phal.  Geom.  Albicillata,  Linn. ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  202 The  Beau- 
tiful Carpet,  Haworth. — Clifden  Beauty,  Harris Xerene 

Albicillata,  Ochsen,  Steph. 

ABOUT  the  same  size  as  the  preceding ;  the  ground 
colour  milk-white ;  all  the  wings  with  a  small 
dusky-black  spot  in  the  centre :  the  anterior  pair 
with  the  base  brown,  variegated  with  transverse 


CLIFDEN  BEAUTY.  25? 

waved  streaks  of  pearl  white  or  leaden  colour ;  a 
large  dark-brown  three-cornered  patch  on  the  an- 
terior edge  near  the  tip ;  and  the  whole  of  the 
hinder  margin  tinged  with  dusky-brown  and  varie- 
gated with  faint  waved  lines  of  white  or  lead 
colour ;  this  dusky  border  bounded  internally  by  a 
pretty  distinct  geminated  undulating  brown  line. 
Hinder  wings  likewise  dusky  on  the  hinder  margin, 
that  colour  more  or  less  interrupted  with  white, 
and  bounded  internally  by  a  faint  waved  brown 
streak.  Head,  thorax,  and  base  of  the  abdomen 
pitch-brown,  the  rest  of  the  abdomen  whitish. 

The  caterpillar  is  green,  with  a  series  of  brown 
crescent-shaped  spots  on  the  back,  and  a  streak  of 
that  colour  on  the  sides  of  the  first  and  last  seg- 
ments. It  fe'eds  on  the  raspberry  and  probably 
other  species  of  Rubi.  The  moth,  which  is  prized 
by  collectors  on  account  of  the  delicacy  of  its  mark- 
ings, is  very  scarce ;  but  has  been  found  neai1 
London,  at  Reading,  in  Kent,  at  Tunbridge  Wells, 
and  a  few  other  places.  The  present  genus  differs 
from  Melanippe  chiefly  in  the  proportions  of  the 
joints  of  the  palpi,  the  two  first  joints  both  robust,  the 
radical  one  especially,  the  terminal  joint  minute  and 
ovate  ;  the  whole  organ  very  short,  and  not  visible  • 
from  above.  The  proboscis  is  long,  the  forehead 
prominent.  The  wings  entire  and  rounded,  but  not 
so  broad  as  in  Melanippe.  As  at  present  const*, 
tuted,  the  genus  contains  five  British  species. 


258 


THE  BEAUTIFUL  CHINA  MARK. 

Hydrocampa  NympTueata. 
PLATE  XXIX.  Fig.  1. 

Phal.  Geom.  Nymphaeata,  Linn Phal.  Stagnata,  Don.  Ji. 

PI.  363,  fig.  2.— Pyrausta  Nymphealis,  The  Beautiful  China 
Mark,  Haworth. — Hydrocampa  Nymphaeata,  Latr.^  Steph. 

THE  genus  Hydrocampa  ( Water-caterpillar )  w« 
have  given  as  an  example  of  the  pretty  numerous 
family  of  the  PYRALIMJ.  It  belongs  to  a  section 
of  that  group,  the  species  of  which  are  somewhat 
remarkable  for  possessing  four  distinct  palpi,  the 
maxillary  pair  being  likewise  developed,  contrary  to 
what  is  observed  in  the  generality  of  moths.  The 
labial  palpi  are,  as  usual,  tri-articulate ;  the  two 
lowest  joints  densely  clothed  with  scales,  the  ter- 
minal one  acute.  The  proboscis  is  rather  long,  the 
antennae  moderate,  and  simple  in  both  sexes.  All 
the  wings  have  the  hinder  margin  entire,  the  ante- 
rior pair  elongate,  the  posterior  ovate-triangular ; 
the  surface  reticulated  with  dark  lines  upon  a  white 
ground.  The  legs  are  long  and  slender,  the  hinder 
tibiae  with  two  pair  of  long  spurs.  The  larva,  which 
has  six  scaly  and  ten  membranous  legs,  feeds  upon 


PLATE     29 . 


/ 


TJNIVERS1T 

T 


THE  BEAUTIFUL  CHINA  MARK.  259 

aquatic  plants,  from  which  it  cuts  out  a  portion  in 
order  to  form  its  cocoon.  The  species  figured  on 
the  adjoining  plate  measures  from  ten  lines  to  an 
inch  across  the  wings ;  the  latter  white  and  shining, 
the  anterior  pair  with  two  hrown  stripes  extending 
from  the  hase  to  beyond  the  middle,  the  remainder 
of  the  surface  reticulated  with  hands,  formed  by  two 
brown  approximating  lines ;  the  hinder  margin  with 
a  continuous  band,  the  fringe  pure  white,  brown  at 
the  base.  The  posterior  wings  are  likewise  white, 
with  two  brown  transverse  bands.  The  arrange- 
ment of  the  bands  varies  much  in  different  indivi- 
duals, and,  in  some  instances,  they  are  almost  wholly 
obliterated. 

The  caterpillar,  of  which  we  have  seen  no  de- 
scription, feeds  on  the  common  duckweed,  and  the 
moth  frequents  the  borders  of  ponds  and  marsh) 
places.  It  occurs  not  umfrequently  both  in  England 
and  Scotland. 


260 


GREEN  SILVER-LINES. 

Hylophila  Prasinana. 
PLATE  XXIX.  Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Tortrix  Prasinana,  Linn Phal.  Fagana,Z)o».  viii.  PL281. 

— Green  Silver-lines,  Harris''  Aurel  PI.  10,/  t.  m — Chloe- 
phora  Fagana,  Steph.  Cat. — Hylophila  Prasinana,  Hubner, 

Steph.  Him. 

THE  present  genus  is  usually  placed  at  the  head  of 
the  great  family  of  the  TORTRICID^:,  so  called  from 
the  larva  being  in  the  habit  of  twisting  or  rolling 
leaves  in  order  to  form  an  abode  for  itself.  The 
aspect  of  these  insects,  when  at  rest,  is  somewhat 
peculiar,  the  anterior  wings  being  very  broad  near 
the  base,  the  humeral  angle  forming  a  wide  curve ; 
towards  the  middle  they  are  somewhat  contracted, 
and  again  dilated  at  the  hinder  extremity ;  the  whole 
figure  of  the  outline,  as  Mr  Stephens  remarks,  thus 
bearing  some  resemblance  to  that  of  a  bell.  This 
peculiarity  of  form  has  caused  them  to  be  frequently 
termed  'Broad-shouldered  Moths.  With  a  few  ex- 
ceptions, they  are  small  insects  considerably  below 
the  middle  size,  very  agreeably  coloured,  and  fre- 
-juentlv  marked  with  metallic  spots.  The  cater- 


GREEN  SILVER-LIN  Ed.  261 

pillars  are  usually  naked,  and  much  attenuated 
behind,  which  gives  them  some  resemblance  to  a 
fish ;  whence  some  of  them  are  described  by  Reau- 
mur as  Chenilles  en  forme  de  Poisson.  They  have 
sixteen  legs,  and  run  with  great  activity,  seemingly 
with  equal  ease  either  backwards  or  forwards.  The 
species  above  referred  to  expands  from  somewhat 
more  than  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half,  the  colour 
light-green ;  each  of  the  anterior  wings  with  three 
oblique  stripes  of  silvery-white,  the  costa  likewise 
of  that  colour.  The  abdomen  and  hinder  wings  are 
yellowish-white;  antennaa  reddish-brown;  the  an- 
terior margin  of  the  upper  wings,  the  hinder  margin 
and  the  fringe,  as  well  as  the  legs,  tinged  more  or 
less  with  bright  red  in  the  male. 

The  caterpillar  is  light-green,  with  a  yellow  line 
on  each  side,  and  two  red  streaks  behind.  (PL  xxix. 
Fig.  3.)  It  feeds  on  a  variety  of  common  trees, 
and  changes  into  a  reddish-brown  pupa,  which  it 
encloses  in  a  closely  woven  cocoon,  nearly  boat- 
,  shaped.  The  moth  is  not  rare  in  England,  and  is 
likewise  found  not  unfrequently  in  the  south  of 
Scotland. 


MS* 


SCARCE  SILVER-LINES. 

Hylophila  Quercana. 
PLATE  XXIX.    Fig.  4. 

Phal.  Tort.  Prasinana,  Linn. ;  Don.  ii.  PI.  40 Scarce  Silver- 
Lines,  Harris*  Aurel.  PI.  30. — Hylophila  Quercana,  Hubner. 
Steph.  Illus. 

THE  largest  insect  belonging  to  this  group,  the  wings 
sometimes  extending  to  two  inches :  the  colour  of 
the  thorax  and  anterior  wings  deep  grass-green,  the 
latter  traversed  by  two  oblique  white  lines ;  poste- 
rior wings  and  abdomen  glossy-white;  palpi,  an- 
tenna?, and  legs  tinged  with  red. 

The  caterpillar  is  very  like  that  last  described, 
but  is  larger  and  has  a  dorsal  tubercle  on  the 
second  segment.  It  frequents  various  trees,  but 
seems  most  partial  to  the  oak.  The  moth  appears 
about  the  middle  of  June.  It  is  a  rare  insect  in 
this  country ;  most  of  the  specimens  in  collections 
have  been  obtained  from  the  vicinity  of  London. 


PLATE  30. 


1 .  7///'  Hurl.-  pun v////// .//«///.        i>.  /.wtmrr/.f '  A'///// ////;//•/ y  v . 
3 .  II 7//A-  iilnmnl  Mutli .  4 .  Many  pliunr',1  Mntli . 


THE  DARK  PORCELAIN. 

Argyromiges  Sylvella. 
PLATE  XXX.   Fig.  1. 

Tinea  Sylvella,  Haworth Phal.  Blancardella,  Don.  xi.  PI.  392. 

fig.  2. — Argyromiges  Sylvella,  Curtis,  Steph. 

THE  family  YPONOMEUTID^J,  to  which  the  present 
genus  belongs,  is  constituted  by  a  numerous  assem- 
blage of  small  moths,  the  largest  not  exceeding  an 
inch  in  the  expansion  of  the  wings,  while  several  do 
not  equal  the  tenth  part  of  these  dimensions.  The 
palpi  are  in  general  long  and  slender,  and  usually 
only  two  in  number,  a  character  which  distinguishes 
them  from  the  allied  group,  TINEID^,  which  possess 
two  pair  of  these  organs. 

The  name  of  the  present  genus  bears  reference 
to  the  metallic  markings  which  are  conspicuous  in 
many  of  the  species.  It  is  known  by  having  the 
palpi  very  short  and  drooping,  nearly  filiform,  with 
the  terminal  joint  compressed  and  obtuse,  and 
longer  than  the  two  others  taken  together.  The 
antennae  are  about  the  length  of  the  wings,  the 
basal  joint  robust.  "Wings  rolled  round  the  body 


264  THE  DARK  PORCELAIN. 

when  at  rest,  the  anterior  pair  nearly  linear,  the 
hinder  pair  of  a  similar  shape  and  very  slender,  all 
of  them  with  a  very  long  fringe.  Twenty-five 
British  species  have  heen  described,  one  of  which 
is  represented  on  the  adjoining  plate.  It  expands 
ahout  three  lines  and  a  half;  the  anterior  wings 
white,  having  a  short  ash-coloured  hand  at  the  base, 
a  rectangular  one  near  the  middle,  hoth  of  them 
edged  with  dusky  and  glossed  with  golden-yellow ; 
and  towards  the  apex  there  is  a  cruciform  mark  of 
a  similar  colour,  and  a  minute  eye-like  spot,  with  a 
black  oblique  pupil  at  the  tip.  The  hinder  wings 
are  white,  inclining  to  cinereous. 

Apparently  not  generally  distributed :  it  has  oo» 
tarred  near  London  and  elsewhere. 


263 


LINNAEUS1  GLYPHIPTERYX. 


PLATE  XXX.  Fig.  2. 

Phal.  Linea  Linneella,  Linn. — ^Ecophera  Linneella,  Zofr.— . 
Glyphipteryx  Linneella,  Hub?ier9  Curtis,  iv.  PL  152. 

PALPI  longer  than  the  head,  somewhat  curved,  the 
radical  joint  short,  second  long,  the  third  nearly  01 
equal  length  to  the  second,  but  more  slender ;  pro- 
boscis short ;  antennae  as  long  as  the  wings ;  thorax 
without  a  crest ;  the  wings  nearly  lanceolate,  with 
very  long  fringes,  the  anterior  pair  adorned  with 
elevated  tufts  of  metallic  scales ;  are  the  principal 
distinctive  marks  of  Glyphipteryx.  It  includes  about 
ten  British  species,  of  which  the 'beautiful  example 
figured  may  be  regarded  as  the  type.  It  sometimes 
expands  nearly  half  an  inch,  the  anterior  wings 
tawny-orange,  with  three  round  silvery  spots  on  the 
disk  of  each,  rising  considerably  above  the  surface, 
and  placed  in  the  form  of  a  triangle ;  the  base  and 
apex  of  the  wing  are  black  with  a  metallic  gloss, 
and  there  is  likewise  a  metallic  line  anteriorly  and 
a  small  spot  at  the  base.  The  fringes  and  hinder 


266  LINNJEUS*  GLYPHIPTERYX. 

wings  are  dusky,  the  latter  glossed  with  steel-blue ; 
antennae  black,  whitish  at  the  apex. 

Occasionally  found  in  some  plenty,"  but  by  no 
means  general.  It  has  been  most  frequently  found 
near  London,  probably  because  that  neighbourhood 
has  been  more  carefully  examined  than  most  other 
places. 


WHITE-PLUMED  MOTH. 

Pterophoms  Pentadactylus. 
PLATE  XXX.   Fig.  3. 

Phal.  Alucita.  Pentadactyla,  Linn. ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  110 — The 

Large   White   Plume,  Haworth Plumed   Moth,   Harris* 

Aurel.  PI.  15  fig.  o — q Pterophorus  Pentadactylus,  Latr., 

Steph. 

THE  last  section  of  the  Nocturnal  Lepidoptera  is 
chiefly  composed  of  such  moths  as  present  the  very 
remarkable  peculiarity  of  having  their  wings  divided 
from  near  the  base  to  the  apex  into  separate  plume- 
lets or  feathers;  thus  bearing  much  resemblance 
to  the  wings  of  birds.  Their  bodies  are  long  and 
slender,  the  legs  likewise  of  great  length  and  deli- 
cacy, whence  they  are  not  unlike  some  kinds  of 
crane-flies,  and  were  in  fact  from  that  circumstance 
designated  by  De  Geer,  phalcenoB-  tipulce.  In  Pte- 
rophorus  the  anterior  wings  are  variously  divided 
in  different  species  into  from  two  to  six  branches, 
but  the  posterior  pair  are  always  trifid.  The  larvae, 


WHITE-PLUMED  MOTH.  267 

which  are  described  by  Reaumur,  have  sixteen  legs, 
and  are  furnished  with  hairs  sometimes  of  consider- 
able length  placed  on  rows  of  tubercles.  The  pupas, 
which  are  likewise  hairy,  at  least  in  some  species, 
are  occasionally  suspended  by  a  band  round  the 
middle.  The  White-plume  Moth  is  the  largest  of 
the  British  kinds,  the  wings  sometimes  measures 
rather  more  than  an  inch  across ;  the  anterior  pair 
rather  ample,  deeply  cleft,  with  the  apex  somewhat 
acute,  the  whole  snow-white  with  a  silky  gloss; 
the  eyes  alone  being  black.  The  caterpillar,  which 
feeds  principally  on  nettles,  is  white  tinged  with 
green,  marked  with  dusky  spots,  and  having  a  yellow 
line  on  the  sides. 

The  moth  is  common  throughout  England  on 
hedge  banks,  weedy  lanes,  &c.,  and  appears  to  be 
by  no  means  rare  in  Scotland. 


MANY-PLUMED  MOTH. 

Aludta  Hexadactyla. 
PLATE  XXX.  Fig.  4. 

Phal.  Alucita  Hexadactyla,  Linn.  ;  Don.  iv.  PI.  136 — Twenty- 
Plumed  Moth,  Harris. — Pteroph.  Hexadactylus  ;  The  Six- 
cleft  Plume,  Haworth. 

AT  once  distinguished  from  all  its  associates  by  the 
beautiful  structure  of  the  wings,  which  are  regularly 
divided  into  equal  plumes,  composed  after  the  maa- 


268  MANY-PLUMED  MOTH. 

ner  of  a  feather,  of  a  central  shaft,  and  fine  diverg- 
ing cilia  on  two  of  its  sides.  Each  of  the  anterior 
wings  contains  eight  of  these  fringed  rays,  and  each 
of  the  hinder  ones  four  only.  The  palpi  are  long, 
slender,  and  recurved ;  the  terminal  joint  very  long 
and  acute,  and  turned  upwards.  The  antennae  are 
rather  short,  the  thorax  not  crested,  and  the  bodj 
scarcely  extends  beyond  the  hinder  edge  of  the 
wings.  The  species  figured  usually  expands  ahoul 
half  an  inch  or  upwards,  and  is  of  an  ashy  gre^ 
colour,  with  an  irregular  hrown  hand  near  the 
middle  of  the  anterior  wings  and  another  on  the 
hinder  margin,  both  of  them  with  a  whitish  line 
adjoining.  The  posterior  wings  are  variegated  with 
brown  and  white,  and  a  small  black  spot  is  visible 
on  the  tip  of  all  the  plumes. 

The  moth  is  found  not  unfrequently  in  houses, 
towards  the  close  of  autumn,  most  "commonly  on 
the  inside  of  windows  creeping  on  the  glass. 


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