256 LEPIDOPTERA. 



blotch, intersected by the brown second lint- ; this last is 

 nearly erect, but throws out a bend towards the anal angle 

 and thence lies almost prostrate on the dorsal margin ; cilia 

 dark umbreous dashed with white. Hind wings long and 

 rather pointed at the apex ; the hind margin sinuous ; colour 

 dark umbreous ; basal area shaded with white and having a 

 round white dot at the costal edge ; in the middle is a white 

 transverse stripe, and beyond this another, narrower, and 

 placed in a different direction ; cilia umbreous dashed with 

 white. Female similar, ground colour rather darker. 



Undersides of all the wings rather more dull brown with 

 all the white markings repeated. Body brown with white 

 rings. Legs brown above, white below. 



Usually not variable, but I possess a specimen, taken in 

 South Wales, in which the white markings are so enlarged 

 and spread as to occupy the greater portion of all the wings. 



On the wing at the end of May and June, and as a second 

 generation in August and September. 



Larva and pupa unknown. 



The moth frequents dry hilly pastures, hillsides and downs, 

 hiding among the scantiest herbage, flying up from the foot- 

 step to settle again in the space of a few yards, and hang 

 o-racefully to a blade of grass, or if there is any wind, to 

 creep into some slight shelter of a thicker tuft. The time of 

 o-reatest activity seems to be from 5 to 6 p.m., but doubtless 

 there is also a night flight, since it comes occasionally to 

 light, flying apparently some little distance for that purpose. 

 From its alertness during the day and from its general 

 appearance it might reasonably be expected to fly naturally 

 at that time, and possibly this may be the case in the early 

 morning or the forenoon, but in my own experience it 

 seemed never to fly by day except when disturbed. Abroad 

 it is common in dry pastures and vinci/ards. Usually a rare 

 species with us ; formerly found in the New Forest, Hants ; 

 and near Sanderstead, Surrey ; but from these places it 



