106 THE MOTHS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



the British Isles it seems to be almost exclusively an inhabitant 

 of the salterns, or sea marshes of Essex. 



Abroad, the species occurs inland, and is not confined to the 

 coast ; its range extends eastwards to Siberia and Amurland. 



The Small Grass Emerald {Nemoria viridatd). 



This species, represented on Plate 43, Figs. 5 and 6, is readily- 

 distinguished by its small size and the well-defined white cross 

 line on each wing. In most examples there is a more or less 

 distinct whitish inner line on the fore wings. Ab. mathewi^ 

 Bankes, has all the wings dusted with orange scales, more 

 especially on the outer marginal areas. A few examples of this 

 form were reared in 1905, with a number of normal specimens, 

 from eggs laid by a female captured in South Devonshire. 



The caterpillar (figured from a skin on Plate 44, Fig. i) is 

 green, roughened with whitish points ; a dusky line along the 

 middle of the back, marked on the front and end rings, also 

 between the rings, with purplish red. Head, and first ring of 

 the body, notched, the points reddish ; last ring of the body 

 pointed. When at rest on a twig it assumes a rigid posture, 

 and the legs are tightly drawn together. It feeds on heather, 

 sallow, and birch, but the general experience appears to be that 

 in captivity it thrives best on a diet of hawthorn, and is especially 

 partial to the young shoots. It may be obtained in July and 

 August, and the moth comes out in the following May or June. 

 In 1905, Mr. A. J. Scollick reared some caterpillars from eggs 

 laid June 2nd, and hatched June i6th ; all duly pupated, and a 

 moth came up on December 20th of that year. Four others 

 appeared in January and February, 1906. 



The Rev. F. E. Lowe states that in Guernsey the species 

 occurs exclusively among furze on clififs by the sea, and chiefly 

 where the plant is cut down from time to time. In Britain it 

 inhabits heaths and mosses, but is very local. It is found in 



