THE CONFORMIST. 29 



The Pale Pinion {Lithophane {Xylina) socio). 



The pale ochreous-brown insect shown on Plate 12, Fig. 5, is 

 without the dark, sometimes blackish sufifusion on the inner 

 area which is characteristic of the type of this species. Var. 

 7'ufescenSy Tutt, is a reddish form. 



The caterpillar is pale green with three white lines, the central 

 one broad and stripe-like ; the line along the spiracles is yellow. 

 Head, pale green, variegated with white. (Adapted from Porritt.) 



The moth comes to ivy bloom, sugar, etc., in September and 

 October, and even later if the weather is mild. After hiberna- 

 tion it reappears as early as February, and visits the sallows as 

 soon as the catkins open. 



Although it seems to be absent from the eastern counties, 

 except Cambridge — where, however, it is scarce — this species is 

 found in most of the other counties mentioned for the last 

 species. It is generally more plentiful, especially in the west. 

 Occasionally specimens have been taken in Cumberland, and 

 single examples have been recorded from the Liverpool and 

 Hartlepool districts. It seems to be not uncommon in South 

 Wales, and has been reported from Capel Curig, in Carnarvon- 

 shire. As regards Ireland, Kane says that there are few Irish 

 localities where this species is not found. 



The Conformist {^GraptoUtha {Xyliuci) fiirciferd). 



The typical form of this species has the fore wings of a pale 

 slaty grey colour ; this, however, does not seem to occur in 

 Britain. Our form, var. siiffiisa^ Tutt (shown on Plate 13, 

 Figs. I and 2), is much darker grey with blackish mottling, a 

 yellowish mark at the base and a reddish cloud in the reniform 

 stigma ; the outer area is more or less tinged with violet, and 

 this tint sometimes spreads over the whole of the fore wings ; 



