$4 LEPIDOPTERA. 



others are miners, some case-bearers, some feed on 

 clothes, or in the linings of sofas, etc., etc. (Stainton). 

 I have just found some little tinea in an insect box, the 

 larva of which had selected a pinned down specimen of 

 the Burnished-brass moth {Plusia chrysitis), had con- 

 structed out of its remains a tube which it erected like 

 a column, and in which it passed through its changes. 

 The British species of tinea, which are injurious to 

 clothes, etc., are Tinea tapetzella, a common species 

 often found in carriages, the larva feeding under a gallery 

 constructed from the lining ; T. pellionella, the larva of 

 which constructs a portable case out of the substance in 

 which it feeds, and is very partial to feathers. T. hi- 

 selliata is often found abundantly in horse-hair linings of 

 chairs. I must mention the genus Adela, containing 

 the Long-horn moths, the antennae of the males being of 

 extraordinary length. The Adela Degeerella is a beau- 

 tiful insect, a wing under the microscope being like bur- 

 nished gold, richly tinted with purple. The larva feeds 

 on the wood anemone. 



The Pterophorina is a very small group, as represented 

 in this country. The fore-wings are cleft more or less 

 deeply. The hind-wings are split into three distinct 

 feathers ; hence they are often called Plume moths. 

 The perfect insects appear in October, and, hybernating, 

 are seen again in the spring. 



In the Alucitina, of which group there is only one 

 British species {Alucita polydactyla), each wing is di- 

 vided almost from the base into six distinct feathers 

 (see Plate III., Fig. 8). It is a prettily marked and 

 elegant little moth, common in houses and outbuildings, 

 on the walls of which it may be seen resting with 



