t^2 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 



four segments of the abdomen are whitish on the sides, and 

 slightly tinged with tawny above ; the terminal segments of the 

 abdomen are tawny, and the first tawny segment and the two 

 preceeding segments bear tufts on the lower part of the sides, 

 which are brown below and tawny above. 



The fore-wings are light brown, darker on the margins, and 

 with a brown stripe running obliquely from about two-fifths 

 of the length of the inner margin to three-fourths of the 

 length of the costa ; above this are two faint whitish markings, 

 bordered indistinctly with brown before and behind; one about 

 the middle of the costa, and the other towards the inner 

 margin, just within the stripe. The hind-wings are greyish- 

 white, with a broad greyish-brown border, shading into dull 

 tawny on the hind margin. 



The following is Sir Gilbert Carter's account of this 

 insect : — " I have been able to secure specimens of the eggs, 

 young, and adult caterpillar and sexes of this moth. I also 

 send examples of the (^ and $ cocoon. The caterpillar feeds 

 upon the Avocado pear {Per sea gj-atissinia) the Flamboyant 

 {ToJiciaua regid)^ and the Eucalyptus, which you will admit is a 

 varied assortment. In its more advanced stages it so success- 

 fully mimics the colouring, and lies so close to the twigs of 

 the tree upon which it feeds, that it is very difficult to see. 

 There have been great numbers about this season. I am 

 wondering whether the silk has ever been put to economical 

 use. Perhaps you can tell me ? It is probable that the 

 history of this interesting creature has not been so thoroughly 

 worked out before. If this is so, you will, no doubt, make use 

 of these notes. The male possibly is not known, and had I 

 not had my specimens and been in possession of other evidence 

 as to identity of the sexes, I certainly should not have paired 

 the specimens I send you." 



The following observations are from the pen of Miss 



