TflE LArPET MOTH. 443 



and on the upper wings are three dark bands, scalloped in con- 

 formity with the margins. There is also a black dot on the 

 middle of the wing. The lower wings are marked somewhat 

 in the same manner, save that the dark bands are less defined. 

 There is no difference in colour between the sexes, which can, 

 however, be at once distinguished by a glance at the antennae, 

 which are doubly feathered in the male and thread-like in the 

 female. For a short time after it escapes from the jjupal en- 

 velope, the surface of the Moth is remarkable for a beautiful 

 blue or purple gloss, which has been well compared to the 

 bloom on a plum. It is quite as fragile as that bloom, and 

 even more fugitive, for it vanishes in a few hom-s, no matter 

 what care may be taken of the specimen. 



Whether this union of colouring and outline be intended 

 for the purpose of concealment is at present an open question 

 and likely to continue so. Suffice it to say that it certainly does 

 serve that purpose very effectually. The reader must have ob- 

 served that the oak-tree, late to develope new leaves, is equally 

 late in parting with the old foliage, the old leaves clinging 

 tightly to the branches until actually pushed ofF by tJie new 

 generation. Now, if two oak-twigs were put side by side, on 

 one of which were two or three withered oak -leaves, and on 

 the other a leaf and a Lappet Moth, it would be almost im- 

 possible to distinguish the animal from the vegetable, except 

 by close examination. 



So much for the name of quercifolia, and we come to the term 

 Lappet. This name is given to the insect on account of the 

 construction of the caterpillar, which grows to a considerable 

 size, and is easily recognisable. Along each side is a row of 

 fleshy appendages, or ' lappets,' those of the second, third, and 

 fourth segments being the largest. The colour of the larva is 

 variable, but it may always be known by the peculiar lappets, 

 the hump on the twelfth segment, and the two stripes of deep 

 velvety-purple between the second and third, and third and 

 fourth segments. Willow and blackthorn are its favourite 

 food. 



One of these larvae is shown on Woodcut XLVL Fig. c, 

 as it appears when almost half-grown. 



When full-fed it spins for itself a rather large cocoon, looser 

 in texture and darker in colour than the firm, egg-like habita- 



