9° Lloyd's natural history. 



lunule, edged with yellow and black. A white, slightly 

 undulating, band runs obliquely across the wings, from beyond 

 the middle of the costa of the fore-wings to the inner margin 

 within the anal angle ; it is edged outside with black and pink. 

 The abdomen is banded with white, and opposite the largest 

 belt a white band runs from the base of the fore-wings to the 

 transverse band, and another very oblique band runs from the 

 costa near the lunule, uniting with the straight one, and 

 throwing off one or two slender branches to the transverse 

 band. The transverse white band of the hind-wings curves 

 round to the base below the costa. The tip of the fore-wings 

 is varied with yellow and pink, and is marked with a round 

 black spot, partly bordered with white. The hind margin is 

 grey, intersected by one or two blackish lines. 



The species of Philosamia are semi-domesticated in the East, 

 and are imperfectly segregated. The larvae feed on Ailanthus 

 glaiidulosa ; Ricinus (Castor-oil plant), &c. The larva is green, 

 spotted with black, and with numerous fleshy tubercles ; 

 when about half-grown it is paler than when full-grown, and is 

 covered with a white waxy powder. The cocoon is white, 

 yellow, or light-brown, and is formed in a leaf, which is 

 attached to the branch by a strong strand of silk, so that it 

 cannot fall off. The silk cannot be wound, but is spun like 

 cotton, and makes a loose but exceedingly durable cloth. The 

 species of Fhilosamia are easily reared and acclimatised in 

 Europe and America, but their silk is not of sufficient value 

 to make it a profitable speculation. 



The castor-oil plant, and the silkworm feeding upon it, are 

 both called " Arrindi " in India. 



GENUS SAMTA. 

 Samia, lliibner, Verz. bek. Schmett, p. 156 (1822?); Walkir 



