I.ARENTin.E—MELANIPPE. 95 



edge to edge, so as to form a shelter whilst feeding on the 

 tender leaves ; very sluggish, and except when eating lying 

 curled round in a flat position. AVhen feeding on the sweet 

 gale [Myrica gak) its chamber of drawn-together terminal 

 leaves is dome-shaped, or like a little balloon, and is very 

 curious and pretty. 



Pupa short and stumpy, the wing covers thickened at 

 their margins, their surfaces ribbed, and dull from abundant 

 sculpture of minute incised lines ; limb-covers very closelj' 

 packed, cross sculptured with similar lines ; eyes prominent ; 

 dorsal and abdominal segments broadly sculptured with 

 minute pitting, except the hinder margin of each where is a 

 smooth band ; abdomen rapidly tapering ; anal segment 

 furnished with a broad cremaster which rises in a conical 

 black eminence armed with a short black spike. General 

 colour red-brown ; cremaster blacker. In a slight silken 

 cocoon among the leaves of its food plant ; remaining in this 

 situation on the ground throughout the winter. 



The moth is a rather strong and active insect, fond of 

 higher flight than that of most of its allies. In its more 

 southern range found in extensive woods, and very fond of 

 flying over the broad wood rides, especially where these 

 contain damp marshy patches. Here it dances high into the 

 air and then near the ground, in the afternoon and toward 

 sunset, in a very attractive manner. In the mountainous 

 districts, particularly in the North, it is even more active, 

 constantly to be seen flying in the afternoon sunshine 

 about birch trees and bushes, and if a strong wind be blow- 

 ing, in the shelter of trees, or rocks, or even of stone walls. 

 It does not seem to have been observed to fly at night. 



At one time it was to be found, though not commonly, in 

 woods very close to London, from which it has long dis- 

 appeared ; but Mr. Rowland Brown informs me that he has 

 taken it within a comparatively recent period in the woods 

 at Harrow, Middlesex. It is still to be found, and sometimes 



