SUN-FRINGE MOTHS. 



687 



of Nyctalea sujjerciliosa, and seeing the simple word "brown" 

 given as applicable to its colouring, that it could possess any 

 beauty. Its specific name expresses the same idea, inasmuch 

 as it is a word which is sometimes used to signify anything 

 that is sad or dull. The generic name, Nyctalea, which signifies 

 "nocturnal," also refers to the dull, dark colouring. Yet, that 

 it does possess beauty we shall presently see. 



The surface of the upper wings is rather warm brown, covered 

 with a profusion of marks of different qualities of brown. These 

 run transversely across the wing, and look as if incursive waves 

 of colour had washed over the wing and left their marks, just as 

 do the sea-waves upon a sandy shore. The only way to see 

 these marks properly is to hold the insect so as to look along 

 the wing from base to tip. The artist has therefore represented 

 the creature as it appears to an ordinary glance, and indicated a 

 few of the marks only. The insect is a native of San Domingo. 

 The under surface is shining grey. 



The name of the next insect, which literally signifies " sun- 

 fringed," refers to the colouring of its wings, though in this case 

 the word signifies beauty, 

 and not dulness. The genus 

 is a large and very pretty 

 one, shining pink, white, 

 and gold being the leading 

 hues of the wings. None 

 of the species are large, and 

 some are much smaller than 

 che present one. 



The ground colour of the 

 upper wings is pink -brown 

 with dark markings, and the 

 light-coloured specks that run 

 parallel to the outer edge are 

 dun. The lower wings are 

 grey -brown, broadly edged 

 with dark brown on the 



lower and outer edges; while along the upper edge runs a 

 streak of brilliant shining gold. This gold streak exists more 

 or less throughout the genus, and has gained for it the name 



Fig. 422.— Heliothys arniigera. 

 (Pink-brown and gold.) 



