If) LEPIDOPTERA. 



the spiracles is a cloutled irregular Llackish stripe, shading 

 off to the pale grey of the middle of the imdersiirface, with 

 some oblique dashes. (Rev. J. Hellins.) 



ilr. K. Newman's descrij^tion is evidently of another variety. 

 Head nearly Ijlack, with two very small and inconspicuous 

 pale longitudinal streaks on the crown ; dorsal surface of the 

 body dull pale wainscot-brown, approaching to putty-colour; 

 there are four darker, but very indistinct and very narrow, 

 stripes down the back, the oviter one of which, on each side, 

 lias two black spots on each segment ; the ventral is mani- 

 festly darker than the dorsal surface ; there is a medio- 

 ventral stripe dilated in the middle of each segment ; and 

 on each side of this there is a very narrow and waved stripe 

 extending from the legs to the ventral prolegs ; the legs are 

 pale ; the ])rolegs and the ventral area between them green 

 and semi-hyaline. 



July or August, till April or May, on dandelion, knotgrass, 

 and other low plants, and on withered leaves of bramble ; 

 growing very slowly, not truly hybernating, but continuing 

 throughout the winter to nibble its food. Its position when 

 at rest is much as in that of A. snUuhtta, but if disturbed it 

 will drop from its food plant, curving itself into a " pot- 

 hook " form, and remain a long time without movement. 



Pfi'A undescrihed, in a slight cocoon among dead leaves, or 

 in the earth. 



The moth hides during the dav among undergrowth in 

 woods, and about iiedgesand bushes generally, and is readily 

 disturbed, Hying at once to a similar concealment. Weak 

 and gentle in its flight, and at dusk to be seen moving (|uietly 

 about such situations everywhere. Plentiful almost through- 

 out England and Wales, though becoming scarce in North- 

 umberland and Cumberland ; common in the South-Western 

 districts of Scotland, alnindant in ^Vigto\vnshire. and extend- 

 ing so far north as West Ross; less common in the Eastern 

 districts, but to be found in Aberdeenshire and ^forav. 



