antennae, equally bipectinated in both sexes ; the distinct maxillae ; 

 the palpi densely covered with short hairs, the last joint appearing 

 broad and flat, and the indented wings, are amongst the most pro- 

 minent features of distinction. The Caterpillars are certainly ana- 

 logous ; but the curious appendages which give to those of Gastro- 

 pacha the appearance, when at rest, of having twenty feet, form a 

 singular and important distinction. 



Gastropacha, which is derived from the Greek, and means thick 

 body, was established by Ochsenheimer, who has confounded a 

 number of genera under this name, from his inability, as he states, 

 to disunite them, although he at the same time acknowledges that 

 they have distinguishing characters. Its specific name it has re- 

 ceived from the strong resemblance it bears, when at rest, to dried 

 oak-leaves. It is one of our largest and (when alive) most beautiful 

 insects : the Caterpillars, which are even more beautiful than the 

 Moths, vary from gray to chestnut, having two fine velvety blue 

 bands across their necks : they are full-grown about the end of May 

 or June, and feed upon the Pear, white and black Thorn, Willow, 

 and Rose. I have several times found them upon the Sloe, and in 

 Suffolk took three upon the Salix sketched in the Plate: all of 

 which produced males the beginning of July, one of which is repre- 

 sented with its larva. It is sometimes very abundant in the fens 

 at Bottisham in Cambridgeshire. 



