172 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



typical form, and Figs. 9 and 10 show the form marinorata, 

 Haworth (Marbled Carpet); while Figs. 11 and 12 represent 

 specimens from Shetland, and are referable to the island race 

 known as pythonissata, Milliere ; neither of the specimens 

 figured, however, quite agrees with the type of this form, but 

 Fig. 12 does so fairly well. In some specimens the general 

 colour of the fore wings is tawny or rust-colour, or they are 

 strongly suffused with that tint {^b. ferntgifiea, Prout). I have 

 such examples in my series of specimens from Lewes and the 

 Shetlands. Ab. thingvallata, Staud., from Iceland, has the 

 fore wings white, with black basal patch and central band, and 

 I have seen at least one example from Yorkshire that closely 

 approached this variety. 



The caterpillar is not very unlike that of the last species, 

 but it is rounder in appearance, the general green colour is 

 paler, and the points on the last ring are blunt. It feeds from 

 April to June on sallow, birch, bilberry, and wild strawberry. 

 (Plate 69, Fig. 2, after Hofmann.) The moths are out in July 

 and August, and may be found resting on tree-trunks, rocks, 

 or stone walls ; at night, when it is active on the wing, it is 

 said to be often seen in numbers on the flowers of the rush, 

 and this habit has been noted more particularly in Scotland. 



The species affects woods and moors, and appears to be 

 found more or less commonly throughout the British Isles. 



Marsh Carpet (Cidaria sagittata). 



The fore wings of this very distinct species are brown, with 

 white-edged black bands at base and across the central area, 

 the latter with a strong projection on its outer edge, almost 

 reaching a white spot on the outer margin ; sub-marginal line 

 whitish, often only traceable on the front edge. The central 

 band is always narrowed below the middle, sometimes divided, 



