276 



CHAPTER XXII. 



LEPIDOPTERA. LA^RVM. 



IF there is little variety to be observed in the habits 

 and manners of the perfect insects in Lepidoptera, there 

 is much that is curious and interesting in the history of 

 their larva?. 



Their beauty alone would call attention to many 

 species, as in the case of the Privet-hawk Moth, with 

 its soft green hue and purple and white decorations, and 

 above all, its dignified and sphinx-like carriage. 



The tufted Hop-dog, with a green coat " slashed " 

 with black velvet and a pick-tipped tail, the larva of the 

 Tussock, is so prized and admired in the hop counties 

 that it is common to find it in the cottage of the very 

 poorest and most ignorant hop-gatherers. The hump- 

 backed, two-tailed Kitten Caterpillar, pale green, pink, 

 and grey and white ; the dark- green Caterpillar of the 

 Emperor Moth, with its gold-spangled black bands 

 these and many others have but to be seen to call 

 forth the admiration of the most determined hater of 

 " creeping things." 



But, as is often the case, it is among the less con- 

 spicuous insects that some of the most interesting habits 

 are to be found, and there is neither time nor place in 

 which we may not meet with one or other of the Moth 



