80 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
The genus Masia. In this genus the antenna are pectinated to the tip, but not strongly. The wings are 
deflexed when in repose, and, contrary to the general characteristics of this family, the fore wings are drawn over 
the hind ones. The females are much smaller than the males. The larve are thick, and have a pointed 
excrescence on the twelfth segment, the last segment being forked. The pup are subterranean. 
Mesia Favillacearia (the Gray Scalloped Bar, No. 10). This is a variable insect, and the female is 
smaller and darker coloured than the male. The Caterpillar is described by Treitschke as being slightly humped 
on the posterior segments, and as being of a bright cinereous tone, paler on the back, with short black streaks 
and a black line on the second to the fourth segment. It feeds on various kinds of heaths. The insect is found 
from May to July, and must be sought for in repose, as, unlike most of the species of this family, it does not fly 
by day, and indeed will not do so even when disturbed. Birkenhead, Edinburgh, Huddersfield, Lyndhurst, and 
Glasgow are cited as localities where it has been captured recently ; as also Manchester, in the neighbourhood of 
which it has been taken in some abundance. 
The third Sub-Family of the Geometridw is that of the Hibernidi containing three genera, Alsophila, 
Anysopteryx, and Erannis, all formerly placed in the genus Hybernia of Latreille, (the Erannis of Hubner). 
The genus Alsophila. In this genus the antenne of the males are very slender, but delicately pectinated. 
Both the thorax and abdomen are weak and slender. The female is entirely wingless. The caterpillar is slender 
and twelve-footed, for which reason, principally, the species has been separated from the genus Erannis of 
Hiibner. 
Alsophila Escularia (the March Moth, Nos. 11 and 12). The male of this pretty species (No. 11), 
notwithstanding the slenderness and fragility of the body, has large elongated wings, giving it the appearance of 
rather a large insect, to which the wingless female, a minute creature (No. 12), forms a very singular contrast. The 
larve, which are described as green with pale longitudinal stripes, feed on the horse chestnut in the autumn. 
The perfect insect emerges from the Chrysalis in March, when it may be found at rest on walls or palings, its 
closed wings forming an elongated triangle. It is common everywhere, and in some seasons abundant. 
The genus Anisopteryx. In this genus the antenne of the males are slender and finely bipectinated. The 
females which are perfectly wingless, have the antennz simple and very slender. In the males the wings are long 
and of large dimensions in proportion to the body, but of weak texture. The larvie are rather elongate, with the 
head round, that is, not flattened as in some of the Geometride. The Chrysalides are subterranean. This genus 
has been separated from the genus Hrannis, in consequence of the entirely wingless character of the females. 
A. Leucophearia (the Spring Usher, No. 13). This common insect is very variable in its markings ; the 
delicate lines and slender bands of ordinary specimens forming in others an irregular but nearly solid border 
of brown at the edges of the fore wings, and another mass of the same colour at the base. The female is perfectly 
wingless. The Caterpillar is described as yellowish-green marbled with white, the light marks being edged with 
deep green ; it has also a sub-dorsal line of yellow. It feeds on the foliage of the oak and other trees. The 
perfect insect appears as early as February, and is found throughout the following month. It prefers places where 
oaks abound, and is common all over the country. 
The genus Zrannis, in the arrangement I am following, is now restricted to three species, in all of which, 
except Defoliaria, the females instead of being perfectly wingless have rudimental wings more or less developed, 
but in no case fitted for flying. In other respects the characters agree in the main with those of the two last- 
preceding genera. 
Erannis Defotiaria (the Mottled Umber, Nos. 14, 15, and 16). This is a very variable species, the bands 
in some individuals being much darker than in the one represented (No. 14), and the whole of the anterior wings 
is suffused with brown in other specimens. The female (No. 15) is nearly wingless. The Caterpillar (No. 16) 
feeds on Birch, Oak, and other trees, the Moth appearing in October and November ; being a very widely dispersed 
species, and often plentiful. The female, with its wingless body and long legs, has a somewhat spider-like 
appearance, and should be sought on the trunks of trees, especially at dusk or after dark, with a light. 
The other species of Erannis are LE. Progemmaria (the Dotted Border) and &. Aurantiaria (the Scarce 
Umber) ; the last species being found, with #. Defoliaria, up to Christmas, and even in January, in mild seasons. 
