THE GEOMETRID.E. 



703 



those of the Sphingomorpha. The generic name, which literally 

 signifies " bundle-tail," refers to this peculiarity. 



As all eiitomologists know, the group of the Geometridfe is so 

 enormous that only a few charactei'istic species can be selected 

 as representatives. The name signifies " land-measurer," and is 

 given to the insects because the caterpillars do not crawl when 

 walking, but double themselves up in an arched form, and pro- 

 ceed as if they were engaged in measuring the ground. From 



Fig. 437.— Erebomorpha fulguraria 

 (Brown, yellow, and grey.) 



tlie shape which they then assume they are popularly called 

 Loopers. A full description of them will be found in " Insects 

 at Home," p. 446. 



In the present genus the resemblance to the Erebus Moths is 

 so close as to earn for the insect the name of Erebomorpha. 

 The ground colour of the wings is brown, covered with minute 

 penciUings of paler brown, grey, and yellow. Over both wings 

 is a curious, irregular jagged pattern of greyish white lines, 

 which has given to the insect the name of fulguraria. or T,ight- 



