II. — THE NOTODONTINA. 81 



The expansion of the wings is from Lf to L| inches. All the wings are pale ochreous-brown, 

 with a variable number of minute black dots ; there are four or five oblique, wavy brown transverse 

 lines on both fore- and hind-wings, the central and terminal lines being often slightly darker than the 

 others; there is always a black dot in the middle of the lure-wine, and a shaded spot near the terrnen 

 below the apex. The apex of the hind-wing is very pointed and projects downwards ; the almost 

 straight terrnen has a series of prominent projections. 



This species varies much in the intensity of the markings, and in the number of the 

 black dots on both the fore- and hind-wines. The peculiar outline of its hind-wings, 

 however, distinguishes it from any other species with which I am acquainted. 



The larva feeds on veronicas in September and October. 



Its length when full grown is about 1 inch. Some larvae are green, with a broad bluish dorsal 

 line, and two tine yellow lateral lines. Others are brown, with a dull yellow dorsal line. 



During the daytime these caterpillars firmly clasp the stem of their food-plant with 

 their prolegs, and hold the rest of their body rigidly out from the branch. In this position 

 they are very inconspicuous, and may readily be mistaken for young leaves or twigs. At 

 night they become much more active, and may then be seen walking about and feeding. 



The pupa is rather robust, with a sharp spine at its extremity. Its colour is pale 

 olive-brown, with the wing-cases and sides of the abdomen pinkish. It is not enclosed in 

 any cocoon, hut is merely concealed amongst the dead leaves and rubbish around the stem 

 of the veronica. The insect remains in this state for less than a month, so that the 

 protection of a cocoon wo'uld appear to be unnecessary. 



The moth appears in December and January. It usually frequents gardens and other 

 cultivated places, probably on account of the number of veronicas that are often growing 

 in such situations. It is also attracted by blossoms and by light, but is not a common 

 species. The colouring and wing-outline of this moth cause it to very closely resemble 

 a dead leaf, especially when resting amongst foliage or on the ground. This insect may 

 be occasionally noticed abroad on mild evenings in the middle of winter ; the females 

 probably hibernate and deposit their eggs early in the spring. 



Family 5.— SELIDOSEMID^E. 



"Hind-wines with vein 5 imperfect (not tubular) or obsolete, 6 and 7 usually separate, 8 usually 

 obsoletely connected with upper margin of cell near base, approximated to near middle." (See 

 Plate II., rigs. 51 to 64.) 



" A very large family, equally common throughout all regions. It varies consider- 

 ably in superficial appearance, and is also remarkable for the variability of structure of 

 veins 10 and 11 of the fore-wings in many (not all) species. Imago with body slender 

 to rather stout ; fore-wings broad to rather elongate, triangular ; posterior tibia- of male 

 often enlarged and enclosing an expansible tuft of hairs. The structure termed the 

 fovea is a circular impression on the lower surface of the fore-wings above the dorsum 

 near the base, usually placed about the origin of the basal fork of 1/* ; it is generally 

 confined to the male, and is often sub-hyaline, sometimes surmounted by a small 

 thickened gland ; it may possibly be a scent-producing organ. It is strictly confined 

 to that branch of which Selidosema is the type, but is not invariably present there. 



"Ovum subcylindrical or elongate-ovate, more or less reticulated, sometimes ribbed. Larva 

 elongate, more or less slender, with few hairs, without developed prolegs on segments 7, 8, and 

 usually 9 ; often remarkably like a twig of its food-plant. Pupa subterranean, or in a slight cocoon 

 above ground." — (Meyrick.) 



11 



