10 



NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA 

 OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND AND FIFESHIRE. 



BY JOHN GRAY^ ESQ. 

 (Concluded from Vol. I, page 136.^ 



The concluding groups of the Lepidoptera are composed of species much 

 smaller in size^ and consequently more difficult in their investigation^ than 

 those other families of this order, which formed the subject of our former 

 remarks, an order of insects which still continues to offer sufficient scope for 

 the researches of the philosophical naturalist, whether with regard to the 

 natural bearings or affinities of the different families, or the generic grouping 

 of the species. 



Looking upon these interesting little creatures, however, only as a section 

 of a very lovely tribe of insects, we cannot help being struck by the minutely 

 beautiful markings, and the bright metallic lustre of the spots or streaks that 

 adorn the wings, as well as the mechanism displayed in their various stagesj 

 the very minuteness of the field but tending to enhance our admiration of their 

 delicate structure, by showing that in the smaller tribes of the insect world, 

 the same admirably elaborated details exist in as perfect a degree, as in any 

 of those kinds whose size renders theui more conspicuous to the casual observer. 



These little moths are particularly abundant during the summer months, 

 but no season of the year is entirely without the occurrence of some species j 

 even during the bleak n)onths of winter, various kinds make their appearance 

 when few of the insect world meet the prying eyes of the naturalist. Whilst 

 many arc found sporting in their various habitats in the rays of the summer 

 sun, not a few lodge themselves during the day in the foliage of trees or 

 hedges, seldom appearing on the wing till the approach of evening, when, iu 

 common with the majority of this order of insects, they leave their hiding- 

 places, and flit about, enjoying their wonted period of noctm'nal activity. 



In a calm summer afternoon, nothing can convey a more pleasing feeling 

 of serenity to the mind than the motions of these tiny creatures, starting out 

 with noiseless wing from the foliage of some "copice green," and hovering 

 about till lost in the darkening twilight. 



The study of this section of the Lepidoptera, in as far as regards careful 

 discrimination of species, is avowedly difficult; becoming more so as we descend 

 to the smaller species; for, however distinct many kinds really are in their 

 essential characters, it cannot be doubted that others ai"e much given to variety, 

 and that they form, in this respect, no exception to many variable groups of 

 larger moths, the different gradation in whose marking is more easily traced. 

 That such variations do occur is abundantly evident from the many synonyms 

 attached to various species, (for example, those of the genus Peroneaf) and, 

 though M'c consider a diligent investigation of these little moths absolutely 

 necessary for a proper definition of the species, still we cannot help deprecating 

 that hair- splitting and most unsatisfactory way of describing specific characters, 



