STRUCTURE OF WINGS. 



345 



In moths and butterflies the nervures are in a great 

 measure concealed by the feathery scales ; — but when 

 these are removed they are rendered apparent, and 

 appear to resemble in some measure the arrangement 

 observed in the two-winged flies. To this arrange- 

 ment there occurs a remarkable exception in the 

 family of plumed moths (Alucitidce, Leach), of 

 which Stephens enumerates twenty-nine British 

 species. One of the most common of these is the 

 largewhite plume (^Pterophoruspentadadylus, Leach), 

 which may be seen, during the summer, in hedges 

 and gardens, flitting about like a tuft of down, or a 

 snow-white feather dropped from the breast of the 

 eider-duck. From being slow in its motions, it is 

 easily taken ; but if rudely handled all its snowy 

 plumage will come off. Another of the family, also 

 very common, is the twenty-plume moth {Alucita 

 liexadactyla. Leach), which may be seen from March 



a, the twenty-plume moth. 6, the same magnified, c, the white- 

 plume moth. 



till October, on windows and the walls of rooms, or, 

 still more probably, on the leaves of honey-suckles. 



