154 LEPIDOPTERA. 



the segments are obscured, each segment being divided into 

 four rings, of which the second is the broadest. Head lustrous 

 dark brown ; body opaque, drab or pale brown ; the second, 

 third, and fourth segments more transparent and shining, 

 and furnished with brilliantly polished dorsal plates, the two 

 latter also with side plates placed just above the legs, all dark 

 brown or blackish ; the usual raised dots minute, black, each 

 furnished with a fine hair; spiracles small, black. Very 

 similar throughout its growth. Excessively averse to light, 

 making violent efforts to hide itself. Its hairs are extra- 

 ordinarily sensitive, if touched causing it to twist and wriggle 

 with the utmost violence, and to run backwards and forwards 

 with equal, and wonderful, agility. 



In the rhizomes of Ptcris aquilina (common Brake-fern) 

 from July to May or June of the second year ; at first 

 burrowing in the root, growing very slowl}'-, hybernating 

 when small, feeding again in April and becoming of full size 

 before the next winter, leaving the root and hybernating for 

 the second time in the earth ; the following spring biting 

 out oval excavations from the young shoots of the fern and 

 apparently drinking the fast-flowing sap. (Buckler.) 



PurA slender, uniform in thickness ; head and back of the 

 thorax a little prominent ; abdomen long and hardly 

 tapering, blunt and curved back, the segments with rows of 

 minute curved points ; wing-cases very short ; colour dark 

 brown ; but very soon the silvery blotches begin to appear 

 golden, through the skin. In an oblong silken cocoon, 

 lightly covered with earth, on the surface of the ground, 

 among dead leaves or moss. Only a few days in the pupa 

 state. When ready for emergence the pupa thrusts itself out 

 of the cocoon. (Buckler.) 



The moth flies in woody places at early dusk, the male 

 oscillating backwards and forwards over a space of a few 

 inches in length, usually close to the fronds of ferns or the 

 twigs of bushes ; and so plentifully that often two or three 



