common one [S. fziciformis) by the narrow border of the wings, 

 which is entirely brown, by the black instead of crimson band 

 across the abdomen, and by the under side, which is variegated 

 with black and white. 



The larvffi, which have erroneously been stated by some 

 authors to feed upon the wood of Willows, have been bred 

 from the eggs by my friend J. C. Dale, Esq., to whom I am 

 indebted for a drawing and account of the Caterpillars: 

 when about ten days old they have several furcate spines upon 

 each segment of the abdomen, that entirely disappear when 

 they are full fed, at which period they vary exceedingly. 



The perfect insects are remarkably swift upon the wing, 

 and make a humming noise similar to a humble-bee ; they 

 have been taken by Mr. Dale at Enborne, near Newbury, 

 Berkshire, in some abundance, the end of May and beginning 

 of June : they are much attached to damp places in woods 

 and moist meadows, where they are attracted by various 

 flowers, especially Pedicularis palustris and sylvatica, about 

 which they fly, extracting honey from the nectaries whilst on 

 the wing, like the Humming Bird and other Sj^/ihiges. 



Scabiosa succisa (Devil's-bit Scabious), the plant upon 

 which the Caterpillars feed, is figured in the plate. 



