THE CINNABAR MOTH. 219 



is very peculiar, and it presents this additional 

 singularity that the upper and under surfaces are 

 precisely alike. The anterior wings are greyish 

 black, with a stripe of carmine extending from the 

 base nearly to the apex, parallel with the anterior 

 margin and at a little distance from it; on the 

 hinder border there are two remote rounded spots, 

 and a dash on the inner edge, of the same brilliant 

 red. The under wings are entirely bright red, 

 except the fringe and a stripe on the anterior edge, 

 which are greyish-black. The body, antennae, and 

 legs are deep black. 



The caterpillar is likewise prettily marked, being 

 yellow ringed with black. (PL xxi. fig. 3.) It 

 feeds on the flowers of the ragwort ( Senecio Jaco- 

 Icea), and probably also on the other species of the 

 genus, several of which are well known to be com- 

 mon weeds. The moth is of occasional occurrence 

 apparently throughout Britain, and in some places 

 it is abundant. It seems to be nowhere plentiftil 

 in Scotland, but specimens have been obtained from 

 numerous and widely scattered localities. " Abun- 

 dant on the Northumbrian coast." Sir Wm. Jar- 

 e^ Bart, 



