DESCEIPTIVE NOTICES OF CONSPICUOUS SPECIES 157 



many localities, but principally on chalk or limestone ; 

 it has occurred as far north as Oban. 



The expansion of the wings varies very considerably ; 

 I have specimens less than three-quarters of an inch, 

 others nearly an inch and a half in expanse. The fore- 

 wings are semi-transparent, dull yellow, with three 

 oblique rows of black dots, the third row being some- 

 times only represented by one or two spots near the 

 hind-margin : the hind-wings are rather paler, with one 

 or two blackish dots at the outer angle. 



The larva is black, with a yellow dorsal line of lozenge- 

 shaped spots. It feeds on various lichens in May. 



The perfect insect makes its appearance about the 

 middle of June, and it may be met with till July is well 

 advanced. It flies freely about sunset, but directly it is 

 caught it falls to the bottom of the net, as though dead ; 

 and if struck and not caught it is very apt to fall down 

 in the grass and thus escape the search of the collector. 



FAMILY VI. CHELONID^. 



HYPERCOMPA DOMINULA. THE SCARLET 

 TIGEE. 



(Plate 5, Fig. 3.) 



Tbis magnificent species does not seem to be generally 

 distributed ; it occurs at Epping, Halton in Bucking- 

 hamshire, Bristol, Ashburton, and in the Cambridge- 

 shire Fens. 



The expansion of the wings is from 2 to 2 J inches. 

 The fore-wings are of a dark green, with conspicuous 

 yellow and white spots ; the hind-wings are crimson, 

 with black spots towards the margins. 



The larva is also very pretty, it is black with a broad 

 pale yellow stripe on the back, and one on each side 



