DAY- FLYING MOTHS. 195 



represent the changeable and resplendent golden green 

 of the numerous bars, which contrasts with the velvety 

 black of the wings, and varies with every change of 

 light. It is these splendid tints of green that render 

 them, perhaps, the most charming insects that exist, 

 and has caused them to be named Emeralds ; some- 

 times also they are called Pages. The posterior wings 

 are prolonged into a single elegant pointed tail, closely 

 resembling that appendage in many swallow-tailed 

 butterflies ; or there may be present at the hinder 

 extremity of the wings no fewer than three distinct 

 tails, that most remote from the anal angle longer than 

 the others. The typical species of these superb insects 

 are natives of tropical America, where they fly so high, 

 and with such amazing rapidity, that it is almost impos- 

 sible to catch them, and the only way, therefore, to 

 obtain good specimens is to rear the caterpillar. When 

 at rest, the anterior wings are kept in a flat or horizontal 

 position, though only slightly spread, one peculiarity, 

 amongst many others, in which they resemble the 

 nocturnal Lepidoptera. 



Urania Boisdnvalii and Others. 



Urania boisdnvalii, which inhabits Cuba, may be con- 

 sidered one of the most beautiful Lepidoptera known. 



