expanding precisely like a fan : there are six rays in each 

 wing, forming as many perfect feathers, which are beautiful 

 even to the naked eye, but when magnified they become still 

 more interesting objects for our contemplation ; there are alto- 

 gether 2'1< of these feathers, which are in truth the nervures, 

 and being fringed on both sides, when they are expanded these 

 feathers touch, so as to form wings which enable this little 

 animal to fly with ease. 



Three species are recorded as British, but I think it is very 

 doubtful whether they be any more than varieties. The spe- 

 cimen figured is unquestionably A. hexadactyla, yet the mark- 

 ings agree well with those of the A. poiydacti/la of Hiibner. 



1. hexadactyla Lin7i. — Curt. Brit. Ent. pi. 695 J. 

 Fuscous ochre freckled with brown : abdominal segments 

 with narrow white margins and a line of black dots down 

 each side : superior wings with 5 violaceous-black spots on 

 the costa margined with ochre, the 3rd uniting with a broader 

 fascia across the middle, having pale edges; a similar but 

 narrower fascia beyond it, vanishing towards the posterior 

 angle : inferior wings with 4 narrow denticulated ochreous 

 lines ; the rays dotted with black, all oclireous at the apex 

 with a black dot. 



This is common in houses, buildings in gardens, &c. from 

 the end of March to October, and sometimes in the winter 

 also. The larva feeds on the honeysuckle, but I know of no 

 figure of it. 



2. polydactyla Hilh. Aluc. tab. 6.f. 28 ? . 



" Anterior wings yellowish red, with a violaceous fascia edged 

 with white." 



3. pcecilodactyla Ste. 111. 4. 379. 3. 



" Wings cinereous-ochre, with 2 irregular fascise and fus- 

 cous dots." 



This and No. 2. have been taken in June near Brocken- 

 hurst, in the New Forest. 



The Plant is Medica";o maculata. Heart Medick. 



