LEPIDOPTERA. 273 



and the equally common spotted Currant Moth, are 

 instances of this Butterfly-like character. Many species 

 are delicately coloured and marked ; a tender green, 

 white, delicate and brighter yellows, are common among 

 them. Exceedingly delicate pencilling also prevails 

 among the group, and the outlines of many species 

 are most elegant; in the attitude of repose, many of 

 these keep the wings expanded; others, as the Currant 

 Moth, raise them over the back in true Butterfly-fashion. 

 The larger number, however, repose in this as in other 

 groups, with the hind-wings concealed under the fore. 

 The females in some families are wingless. 



The number of species in Geometrina is nearly equal 

 to that in Noctuinae. 



Pyralidina contains slender-bodied Moths, differing 

 from those of the two preceding groups in the shape of 

 the fore-wings, which are long and triangular. In some 

 which lay their fore-wings horizontally on their backs 

 in repose, this is very apparent, the outline of the insect 

 forming a well-defined triangle, rendered the more per- 

 fect by the long, sharp snout, which is characteristic 

 of many of the Pyralidina (PI. XT., fig. 2. Hypena 

 proboscidalis). 



One family of these snouted Moths, known as Grass 

 Moths, is easily recognised. The wings are large and 

 limp when expanded, but when at rest are folded close 

 round the long, slender body. In this position they are 

 amongst the most uninteresting-looking of Moths ; but 

 it is curious to watch them on a clear sunny day, sport- 

 ing by myriads in a grass field so long as the sun shines, 

 and the moment that a cloud fleets across him, settling 

 head downwards on the grass stalks, and with wings 

 closely folded, so as to become in an instant almost 



T 



