00 THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 
Tephronia Corticaria (the Dusky Carpet, No. 4). This insect is inserted in our catalogues as British on the 
strength of a single capture, only one British specimen being known. The larva is said to vary in colour from 
dirty white to gray, and greenish, with a paler line on the back, widening at each segment. It is found on Lichens 
growing upon walls, generally in a northern aspect. The unique specimen in the British Museum, from which 
my illustration is copied, was taken at Tenby, in South Wales, many years ago, by Dr. Leach, 
The eighth sub-family of Geometridae is that of the Boarmidi, consisting of three genera: Alcis, Hemerophila, 
and Bourmia, 
The genus Alcis, The insects assigned to this genus are in general much larger than the preceding, and 
have slender bodies but ample wings, very beautifully and regularly variegated. They haye the antenne 
pectinated in the males, but not to the tip, which is generally filiform ; and the fringed edges of the wings are 
slightly dentated. The Caterpillars are twig-like, but not Jong and slender, and have both humps, and lateral 
projections near the joints of the segments ; the head being frequently withdrawn partially within the second 
segment. The Chrysalides are subterrancan. ‘There are, according to the arrangement I am following, five 
species, The term Alcis, adopted by Curtis in 1825, has been preferred, as anterior to that of Boisduyal, whose 
term, Boarmia, only dates from 1840. 
Alcis Roboraria (the Great Oak Beauty, No. 5) is by far the largest and handsomest of the genus. The 
Caterpillar (No. 6) feeds on the Oak, Beech, &c, ; and the Moth appears in June. It was formerly taken in the 
woods of the Southern Counties, but sparingly ; more recently it has been taken commonly in the neighbourhood 
of Manchester and Tenterden ; Lewes, Lyndhurst, and West Wickham being also recorded as localities where it 
has been captured. 
Aleis Rhomboidaria (the Willow Beauty, No. 7) is much smaller than the preceding, and so variable in 
appearance, in consequence of the ground being, in some specimens, nearly as dark as the markings, that the 
varieties are often mistaken for distinct species. The one figured is a medium specimen. This insect is common 
everywhere in England, but rather scarce in Scotland. The Caterpillar (No. 8) feeds on Oak, Plum, and other 
trees, and is found in woods, and on hedge rows ; the perfect insect appearing in July. 
The other species are the following : A. Consortaria (the Pale Oak Beauty) strongly resembles A. Rovoraria, 
but is rather smaller, and the markings are uniformly paler. This species is rare ; Brighton, Lyndhurst, and 
Pembury in Kent, being cited as localities in which it has been taken recently, A. Abictaria (the Satin Carpet) 
has the front wings grayish-black and glossy, with the markings darker. The female is rather paler, and 
sometimes suffused with an orange tone. A. Repandatw (the Mottled Beauty) has the general character of 
A, Roboraria, but the ground colour of the wings is reddish ochre, inclining to umber. 
The genus Hemerophila. The insects comprised in this genus have the antenne pectinated nearly to the 
tip. The wings are moderately large, the hinder pair being deeply dentate in the only British species. The 
Caterpillars are not humped ; they have the head sub-quadrate, and feed exposed on the leaves of shrubs. The 
Chrysalis is formed in the angle of a stem, and enclosed in a tough cocoon of web. 
Hemerophila Abruptaria (the Waved Umber, No. 9). This is a very prettily marked and conspicuous 
insect. The Caterpillar feeds upon Lilac and other shrubs, in the spring ; the perfect insect appearing in June, 
in gardens, woods, and orchards. It was formerly deemed far from common, but its capture in abundance in 
many widely different localities has been recently recorded, especially at Bristol and Stowmarket; and in 
somewhat less abundance at Exeter, Lewes, Tenterden, and other places. 
The genus Boarmia. The British species assigned to this genus have the antenne pilose beneath, instead 
of pectinated. The wings are ample, and dentate. The larve are elongate and devoid of humps, and have several 
longitudinal lines. The Chrysalis is generally formed amongst Moss. 
Boarmia Extersaria (the Brindled White Spot, No, 10). This pretty species has a white mark left by the 
wave of a darkish bar near the external margin of the front wings, from which it takes its name. The Caterpillar 
is described by Crewe as being pale gray, clouded with reddish-brown. It feeds on Birch. This species is rare, 
