The caterpillars of a considerable number of the Noctuas are 

 called half-loopers, from their partially assuming the figure of 

 the Geometradae in walking ; the transition to this latter family 

 being beautifully sustained by some of the caterpillars which 

 have only two abdominal feet ; and in our genus the two first 

 of the membranous feet are smaller than the others. They do 

 not enter the earth to undergo their metamorphoses ; and the 

 chrysalides have a bloom upon them, from their being covered 

 with powder. 



The following are British species of Catocala : 



1. Fraxini Limi. — Don. 5. 171 & I12.—Sepp. 1. 18. 20. 

 Several specimens of this fine and valuable Moth have been 



captured in this country. Mr. Haworth's extensive cabinet 

 contains an example from Kent, and two specimens from Hol- 

 derness, Yorkshire, one taken on the wing in August 1825. 

 The late Mr. Francillon assured me that his specimens were 

 bred by himself. I obtained two from Mr. Plastead's collec- 

 tion, and Mr. Dale purchased one in the highest state of pre- 

 servation, taken by Mr. Standish the 7th of last September, 

 resting upon paling near Birch Wood, Kent. 



2. Elocata Esj?., Nob. 



The only specimen of this Moth that has come under my 

 observation, 1 purchased in the late Mr. Blunt's cabinet : it 

 had evidently been taken by some one who did not understand 

 setting Lepidoptera, pins having been passed through the 

 upper wings to keep them spread open. It is much larger 

 and darker than C. nupta ; the superior wings have an olive 

 cast ; the red in the under wings is duller : the black band is 

 more regular in its form, and continued to the abdominal mar- 

 gin ; and the under side is different also. The caterpillar feeds 

 upon willows and elms. 



3. nupta Linn., Hub.^ Hww. — Don. 7. 224. — Sepp. 1. 7. — 



concubina Hub. 



A common insect, found resting upon the trunks of Willows, 

 paling, &c. the beginning of August. 

 4-. promissa Fab., Hub., Ha'w. 



July : trunks of trees, Richmond Park ; it has been bred, I 

 believe, by Mr. Hatchett. 



5. Sponsa Li7i7i., Fab., Haw., Don. 9, 324'. 



End of July : upon and under the loose bark of Oaks in the 

 New Forest, occasionally in abundance. Godart considers the 

 above two insects, as well as the N. Dilecta and N. Mnesta of 

 H'ubner, to be one species. 



6. conjuncta Esp., Och., Goda. — conjuga Hiib., Hatso. 

 Introduced into " Lepidoptera Britannica" on the authority 



of the late Mr. Jones of Chelsea. 



