BURNISHED-BRASS MOTH. 241 



colour, but variable in the tint; the green sometimes 

 predominating, at other times the yellow ; and a 

 second of a similar colour behind the middle, placed 

 obliquely, and frequently united to the other by an 

 oblong patch on the inner margin. Near the apex 

 there is a transverse line of deep brown, and the 

 nervures are likewise of that colour. Posterior 

 wings dusky-brown, the fringe of both pairs red- 

 dish-brown. Head and thorax yellowish, the latter 

 brownish-grey on the sides ; abdomen brown, tinged 

 with yellow, the hairs on the sides and hinder 

 extremity inclining to rust -red. 



The caterpillar, which feeds on a variety of com- 

 mon plants, is green, with a longitudinal white line 

 on the sides, and oblique streaks of the same colour 

 on the back. The moth frequents lanes, the rank 

 vegetation found among rubbish, &c. and is very 

 common in the vicinity of London and other places 

 in the south of England. It becomes scarce in the 

 north, and is not frequently observed in Scotland, 

 although occurring at times in the southern counties, 

 as we have seen examples from Roxburghshire, 

 Dumfries-shire% Peebles. &c. 





