272 INSECTS. 



more or less distinctly, with a round or oval spot, a 

 kidney-shaped spot, and sometimes a wedge, or club- 

 shaped spot. Certain lines also run partly across the 

 wing.* These markings are sometimes very faint, some- 

 times wanting. Most of the brown, and more or less 

 dingy, heavy, middle-sized common Moths belong to 

 this group, while among them are some more conspicuous. 

 The Ked-underwing, a large grey Moth with red hind- 

 wings, decorated with broad black bands, is amongst 

 the latter ; and one genus, Plusia, glitters with gold 

 and silver. A very pretty Moth, Gonoptera Libatrix 

 (PL X. f. 6), belongs to this group. It is about an 

 inch long when the wings are closed : of a mixed grey 

 and brickdust colour, with minute white spots. The 

 wings are ragged-looking, and the thorax is crested. 

 This Moth is to be met with everywhere. 



The group contains upwards of 300 species. 



Geometrina is the fourth group. These Moths have 

 broad wings, and generally slender bodies. This is not 

 without exception ; but the group is well marked by 

 the peculiarity of the larvee, from which it derives its 

 name. These Geometrina or Earth-measuring Cater- 

 pillars, will be described hereafter. 



The Geometrina are generally more delicate and 

 Butterfly-like than most of the preceding groups. 

 The large, delicate, and very beautiful sulphur -coloured 

 Swallowtail Moth, for instance, might certainly, but 

 for the slender and tapering antennse, be mistaken 

 for a Butterfly. The common little yellow Brimstone 

 Moth (Rumia Cratsegata), with its spotted wings, 



* Similar marks are found in some families of the fifth group, Pyra- 

 lidina, but the smaller bodies of the latter serve to distinguish them. 



