126 LEPIDOPTERA. 



fifth, eighth, and ninth segments, the last large and very 

 conspicuous ; two smaller ones on the back of the twelfth 

 segment ; and two apjDroximate and indistinct ones on the 

 ventral surface of the seventh, eighth and ninth segments ; 

 head reddish-brown ; body grey, marbled with various darker 

 shades, the variety sometimes very pleasing and greatly 

 resembling cortical lichens ; the summits of the dorsal and 

 lateral protuberances reddish-brown ; ventral surface nearly 

 of the same colour as the back except between the ventral 

 and anal prolegs, where it is pale glaucous-green ; legs 

 reddish-brown ; ventral prolegs grey ; anal prolegs and flap 

 reddish-brown. (E. Newman.) Mr. Buckler's figures repre- 

 sent specimens of which the ground colour is purplish-brown, 

 lilac-brown, or very pale brownish drab. This larva, from 

 colour and the shape of its protuberances, is strikingly imita- 

 tive of a twig of oak. 



May, June, and July, on oak, birch, blackthorn, plum, lime, 

 elm, maple, rose, and even garden currant ; feeding at night, 

 but remaining upon the branch during the day. 



Pupa shining, black-brown with paler segments, and a 

 spindle-shaped cremaster furnished with a stifi" pair of out- 

 wardly hooked spikes. (Dr. Hofmann.) Not more fully 

 described. In a friable earthen cocoon underground, or 

 under moss, often at the foot of a tree. In this condition 

 through the winter. 



The 'dg^ is laid deep down in a crevice of the bark of an 

 oak or other tree. 



The moth usually sits during the day low down upon the 

 trunk of a tree, or on a paling, or fence, or other projection 

 close to the ground, with wings set rather broadly out, the 

 fore and hind away from the body ; and is then quite sluggish, 

 not to be induced by any means to fly. At dusk it flies 

 freely and vigorously, and at night the male is somewhat 

 attracted by a strong light. Never very abundant ; though 

 said sometimes to be common in South Devon ; usually con- 



