PHAX^NID^. 319 



otlen variegated. The species, of which there are about 1,800 

 described, are widely distributed, aud more are found in the 

 arctic regions than of the preceding family. 



We place at the head of this family the genus Urania and 

 its allies. From their large size, splendid colors, swallow- 

 tailed wings, the fore pair of which are elongated towards the 

 tips, while the outer edge is very oblique, as in Papilio ; their 

 habit of flying by day and other resemblances to the butter- 

 flies Latreille placed them among the butterflies immediateh^ 

 after the Hesperians. They have also been supposed to belong- 

 to the same group as Castnia, but the shape of the head, the 

 long geometriform anteimjE, the palpi and the conical pupa and 

 other characters ally them with the Urapter^^x and the higher 

 Phalaenidae. Urania Leilus is velvet black, the fore wings 

 crossed by emerald green striae, and the hind edge of the hind 

 wings are banded with light blue and golden, while the fringe 

 and long tail are white. It is found in Surinam and Brazil. 



Urapteryx is a true Geometrid, with veiy square hind wings 

 extending beyond the abdomen, with their outer margin pro- 

 longed into a short tail. U. politia Cramer is a j'ellow species 

 found in Mexico and the West Indies. The larva of the 

 European U. sambucaria feeds on the oak, elder, bramble, 

 etc., and is elongate, with projections from the eighth and 

 twelfth segments. The pupa is elongate and enclosed in a net- 

 like cocoon suspended by threads. 



In Choerodes the hind wings are still angulated, the angle 

 reaching beyond the tips of the abdomen ; the falcate apex of 

 the fore wings is acute, and the outer margin is entire and 

 angulated just above the middle. The species are usually pale 

 ochreous, with short transverse strigse and two darker lines. 

 the outer one of which is obtusel}^ angulated just before the 

 apex. C. transversata Drury is a pale ochreous species, which 

 we have found resting on red maple leases. 



The genus Angerona comprises the single species A. croca- 

 taria Fabr., the larva of which (Plate 8, fig. 5 a) we have found 

 feeding on the cultivated strawberry during the last of June. 

 It is an inch and a half long and when at rest extends itself 

 straight out. The body gradually increases in size to the first 

 pair of abdominal legs. The head is flattened so as to be 



