X Er ROPE AX Butterflies a. yd Moths. 



streaks are either simple, or form several curves. They are called waved, or undulating, when 

 they form short rounded curves inwards and outwards ; and dentated when they consist of small 

 curves meeting in acute angles. They may also be straight, curved, sinuated, &c. 



Among the spots, we must pay attention to the lunules, which are crescent-shaped spots.' 

 There is often one at the extremity of the discoidal cell (Fig. i, mm). Round spots, enclosed by 

 rings of different colours, are termed ocelli, eye-spots, or eyes. They have generally a pale dot in 

 the centre, which is called the pupil ; when there are two, the spot is termed a bipupilled eye ; and 

 when the pupil is absent, the eye is termed blind. The hind margin and fringes frequently have 

 various peculiar markings. The hind margin is often marked with a single or double line, which 

 runs parallel to all its curves ; or with spots, called marginal spots, or points ; or with lunules, of 

 which there are sometimes more than one row. These are often placed on the intermediate spaces 

 between the nervures, which arc called the incisions, when the wings are scalloped. The fringes 

 are frequently intersected by one or more dark lines running parallel to the hind margin, or 

 are chequered with pale and dark, interrupted by light markings, or marked with lunules also. 

 Particular attention must be paid to the special pattern of the fore-wings which is found in most 

 NocUicB (Fig. I, right fore-wing). It consists of three pale transverse lines, generally bordered 

 with darker, or of single or double dark stripes. The first is near the base, and runs from the 

 costa about as far as the median nervure, and is called the half-line {strignla, Fig. i, lis)\ the second 

 and third are called the inner (Fig. i, vst) and elbowed lines (Fig. i, list) respectively, and enclose 

 between them the central area, upon which is often a less distinct broader line called the central 

 shade (Fig. i, ms). Between the elbowed line and the hind margin, and more or less parallel to 

 the latter, is another pale line, which is either undulated or dentated, and rarely straight, called the 

 sub-terminal line (Fig. i, ivl). It is sometimes so strongly indented that the ends of the teeth touch 

 the hind margin in some places. The space between this and the elbowed line is generally pale, 

 and is shown at Fig. I, gb. Upon this we frequently find long pointed black spots behind the 

 nervules, resting on the sub-terminal line and pointing towards the base, which are called sagittate 

 spots (Fig. I,//). There are three spots, called stigmata, on the central area. That nearest the base 

 stands in the discoidal cell, and is round or oval ; it is called the orbicular stigma (Fig. i, rm). The 

 second is a larger kidney-shaped spot at the extremity of the discoidal cell, and is called the 

 reniform stigma (Fig. i, oui). Beneath this is frequently a wedge-shaped spot called the claviform 

 stigma (Fig. i, .:;;;/). The orbicular and reniform stigmata are often connected by a dark space, or 

 by a sharply-defined square black spot, which is sometimes continued in a point above the orbicular 

 stigma towards the base, and is then called the pyramidal stigma. Some of these markings are 

 often wanting, but the ordinary pattern of the Noctita: is considered to be present if we find the 

 inner, elbowed, and sub-terminal lines, and the orbicular and reniform "stigmata. These stigmata, 

 as well as the transverse lines, are often found in other families besides the Noctiuv, and are then 

 known by the same names. 



The hind-wings and the under surface of all the wings are often as brightly coloured as the 

 upper side of the fore-wings, in butterflies. In many moths, the hind-wings and the under side 

 are inconspicuously coloured, and are often nearly uniform pale grey, though their examination is 

 sometimes an important aid to the determination of a species. 



Hcnnapliroditcs. — Fully-developed Lcpidoptcra are fitted to reproduce their species. The 

 sexes are sometimes alike or nearly so in outward appearance, but in other cases the}- are more or 

 less unlike-, either on the whole, or in the structure of certain parts. The females are frequently 

 larger than .the males, and their abdomen is thicker. They are seldom so brightly coloured as 

 the males, their colours being better adapted for concealment ; and the remarkable phenomenon 



