CHAPTER V. 



THE LEPIDOPTERA WITH WINGS UNITED BY A HOOK. 

 ( Chalinoptera. ) 



All these Lepidoptera were formerly called moths or crepuscular 

 and nocturnal flyers, but as some of the night-loving tribes were 

 equally active during sunshine, and as none of them really 

 wandered in the depths of the darkness, when everything sleeps, 

 there was no wisdom in keeping up these popular distinctions. 

 The structure which retains the hind and fore wings on each 

 side together is a very good distinction, especially as it is 

 common to most twilight and nocturnal Lepidoptera, it being 

 deficient in the butterflies ; nevertheless, it is wanting in some 

 kinds of moths. 



The tints of the wings of moths (under this term we include 

 the nocturnal and crepuscular Chalinoptera) are principally shades 

 of grey and brown, and resemble the colours of the trees and 

 walls, when the light is dim, and night is advancing. But the 

 wings of some, although not so brilliant and coruscating as those 

 of the butterflies, are exquisitely delicate and soft in their tone. 

 Some of the moths that fly by day, and thus lead the life of 

 butterflies, often have colours as glowing as these have, but the 

 tints are never brilliant and sparkling. The educated eye can 

 distinguish at once between the scales of a butterfly and those 

 of the brightest of moths. 



The wings of moths rest upon the body of the insect when 

 in repose, and are not stuck upright like those of the butterflies. 



The antennae of the moths are very different in shape to 

 those of the butterflies, as can readily be seen by comparing 



