146 



THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



CHAPTER XX 



ABOUT MOTHS — Continued. 



HE class were not able to bring any specimens 

 of moths to the next meeting. Mr. Benedict 

 had foreseen this difficulty and had provided 

 himself with specimens from his own collection. 

 "I have already described the Attacus Luna," said he, 

 "and to-day I purpose telling you about the others of 

 that genus. They all belong to the grand family of Spin- 

 ners, or Bombyces. There are four large and magnificent 

 insects belonging to the genus Attacus, all of which I 

 have captured myself in this locality. The Luna, Cecro- 

 pia, Promethia, and Polyphemus. The Attacus Cecropia is 

 quite as large as the Luna. Its wings often expand over 

 six inches. Their color is reddish brown with a drab mar- 

 gin, through which runs a black line. The hind wings 

 are rounded, and this line follows the outline of the edge, 

 but on the fore wings it is deeply waved. Across the 

 middle of the fore wings is a wavy white stripe shaded 

 with brick red on the outer edge. The same stripe crosses 

 the hind wing nearer the margin. The fore wings near 

 the shoulder are dull red, and on their tips is a black 

 spot with a bluish crescent. Near the centre of each wing 



