AUGUST, 1881. 35 



intentional perversity, neglects to take advantage of it. 

 When scrambling over the Black island last month, we 

 came upon quite a number of the brilliant tiger-moths, 

 mostly in a lethargic condition, and apparently unwilling 

 to be disturbed. The female of this species gets the 

 character of being inactive, no doubt this meaning 

 during the day, which might well be anticipated from a 

 night wanderer. Two we placed in a little match box, 

 and on opening the box after our arrival home, we found 

 the metal lid carefully coated with a great array of small 

 circular eggs evenly spread. Another that we pinned 

 down for preservation committed the same indiscretion 

 on the board to which it had been fixed. The brilliance 

 of this moth is most striking, and the manner in which 

 the individuals were openly laid on the hillocks or the 

 out-cropping rocks, showed they trusted all the same to 

 their safety being assured. How could such a number 

 of brilliant creatures be unseen in such prominent 

 positions, and amid quantities of birds ; and what did 

 they specially resemble that diverted the suspicions of its 

 insectiverous enemies ? The marked distinctness of the 

 crimson and black body and wings, and the prominence 

 of the cream-coloured spots on the rich forewings, could 

 scarcely have permitted their escape except from some 

 resemblance not apparent to our eye. Although a 

 nocturnal insect, these specimens were all openly spread 

 upon the turf or the rocks. The tiger moths (Chelonia) 

 are by no means rare, but we understand they are local 

 in the north. A friend made his appearance with a 

 variety, in the shape of a ruby tiger (Arctia fuliginosa), 

 whose more refined construction and smaller dimensions 

 were amply compensated by the intensity of the pink and 

 black hind wings, with the rich, rose-coloured border, 



