LEPIDOPTERA. 91 



marked moths — so called from their porcelaln-lihe deli- 

 cacy of tone — are very common near ponds where duck- 

 weed and water-lilies grow. One of the readiest 

 procurable species in the larval state is the Hydrocampa 

 nymphwata, or Brown China-mark. If the under 

 surface of the water-lily leaves be examined, there will 

 often be seen attached flat cases which, on examination, 

 will be found to contain the black-headed larva). 



The Tortricina includes those moths whose cater- 

 pillars twist up and fold together the margins of various 

 kinds of leaves, or unite them in bundles by means of 

 their silken threads. There are about 300 British species. 

 Owing to the similarity of colouring and general dull- 

 ness of marking, the members of this group are less at- 

 tractive than other Lepidoptera ; they are also very 

 variable, the species running into as many as twenty or 

 thirty varieties. They are generally of a small size, the 

 body is short and slender, the fore-wings are broad and 

 blunt, and have a peculiar wave or curve, so that the 

 insect, when at rest, is somewhat bell-shaped. Some 

 of the species are eminently destructive. The Vine 

 moth {Oenectra inlleriana), which has proved so fearful 

 a pest in France, is one of this family. Mr. Stain ton 

 found the larva in the seeds of the Stinking Iris, near 

 Ventnor, but it is rare. Mr. Duncan gives us a curious 

 story in connection with the Vine moth. " Many years 

 ago one of the moths which are so injurious to the vine 

 became common in Savoy, and after a year or two the 

 caterpillars began to do great mischief The unfortunate 

 farmers applied to the Archbishop, and requested him 

 to curse the caterpillars, as they were doing a great deal 

 of injury. The Archbishop, being a merciful man, did 



