simple antennae in both sexes. With such clear distinctive 

 characters, therefore, it is a little extraordinary to find Lepi- 

 dopterists placing N. Dominula in one family, and N. Jacobccce 

 in the other, for thej^ both perfectly agree in most particulars, 

 and it is not at all clear that they do not belong to the same 

 genus. 



Callimorpha was established by Latreille, and contains the 

 beautiful insect figured, which has received its specific name 

 from the plant on which it feeds, and wherever the Ragwort 

 is found, the handsome caterpillar of the C. Jacobcrce is also 

 to be met with, sometimes in incredible numbers. From this 

 circumstance the Ragwort is commonly known in Suffolk by 

 the name of Canker-weed. At the beginning of last July they 

 were in immense numbers in the neighbourhood of Thetford : 

 the greater portion of them were at that time full grown. 

 They did not feed upon the leaves, but ate off the flowering 

 buds just before opening, as represented in the plate. When 

 about to change to pupa?, ihey either conceal themselves under 

 the moss or vegetation on the surface, or bury themselves. 

 I have dufT them out in sandy situations, and am not aware 

 that they spin any web or cocoon. The pupa is remarkable 

 for its short blunt figure, and is destitute of a spine or hooks at 

 the tail. I have taken the moth in abundance the beoinnino: 

 of July under the Cliff' at Dover. Donovan says, "the fly 

 may always be found in plenty in June, the Caterpillars in 

 July and August," and represents the pupa in a web upon the 

 plant, which 1 should think is incorrect. As there is a long 

 succession of Caterpillars, I believe even to October, and as 

 they remain in the chrysalis state during the winter, the ap- 

 pearance of the moth is regulated probably by the temperature 

 of the following spring, and the consequent appearance of the 

 Ragwort in flower. 



The red portions of the wings, it ought to be observed, are 

 sometimes of a yellow colour. The moth will fly in the day 

 if disturbed, but is heavy on the wing. It leigns death when 

 captured, and piercing it with a pin will not induce it to show 

 ^ny symptoms of life; but a transparent yellowish liquid issues 

 fi'om the wound which soon congeals. Mr. Haworth says, " It 

 is 40 extremely tenacious of life that it is difficult to destroy it 

 without spoiling its beauty. I know of no moth," he adds, " of 

 the same size that equals it in that respect." He also remarks 

 that "the underside of this species almost exactly corresponds 

 with the upper ! This in European moths is a very rare 

 occurrence." 



The Plant is Senecio Jacobcca (Common Ragwort). 



