THE PYRALIDINA, 137 
of our subject, as it does not bear very much upon the question 
of metamorphosis, can just as well, and more appropriately, be 
studied in classificatory works. The Pyralidina are very 
numerous, and are generally gregarious. Most of them are 
readily disturbed by day, are generally active on the wing 
before dusk, and a few fly late in the night, and others, like 
butterflies, enjoy the sunshine. The moths may generally be 
recognised at a glance ; the body is slender, the wings are large, 
the front pair being much longer than the hind ones. Their 
trunk is usually well developed, and the palpi are always long 
and often very large. The abdomen and the legs are long. The 
caterpillars have a remarkably glassy appearance, and their few 
hairs have an unusually bristly look. They have five pairs of 
Male. Female. 
WINTER MOTH—THE MOTTLED UMBER. 
membranous legs, and they are generally very agile, being able 
to advance and (retreat with ease. Disliking the light, they 
remain hidden up, but they are always ready for any emergency 
which is likely to produce a fall. Their silk glands are well 
developed, and the caterpillars, like many others, use this secre- 
tion in order to prevent themselves from falling. The moths 
are very readily attracted by candles and lamps, and this pecu- 
liarity has caused them to be brought into association with the 
Greek word for fire. In England the peculiar lustre of the wings 
of some has caused them to be called “Pearls.” Some of these 
Lepidoptera form cocoons before metamorphosis, and others, like 
some of the butterflies, hang themselves up by the tail, and place 
a silk band round the body before becoming pupa. The group of 
the Pyralites contains a singular medley. One species of it was 
formerly considered to belong to another order of insects alto- 
gether, namely, the Meuroptera, or the Dragon Fly tribe. Others 
