CLASSIFICATION OF THE LEPIDOPTEEA 57 



exposed on the two sides, except that those of the ' upper ' pair are 

 partly hidden by the other pair. 



Now look at a moth under the same circumstances, and you 

 will generally find the wings lying over its body, which is almost or 

 completely hidden beneath them. As a rule the upper pair together 

 form a triangular figure, and entirely cover the second pair ; but 

 in some cases a portion of each of the under wings extends beyond 

 the margin of those above them, and in others the upper pair 

 extend so far forward that nearly the whole of the under wings is 

 exposed behind them. 



Again, the wings of butterflies are so rigid that they can never 

 be folded ; but you will observe that the under wings of moths are 

 generally very thin, soft, and pliant, 

 and are neatly pleated lengthwise when 

 not in use. 



Another feature deserving notice' is 





FIG. 37. A BUTTERFLY AT REST 

 (LARGE COPPER). 



FIG. 38 A MOTH AT BEST 

 (GOTHIC). - 



a slight difference to be often observed in the form of the body. 

 The butterfly, which generally has a slender body, has a distinct 

 constriction or waist between the thorax and abdomen. This is 

 not so apparent with moths, and especially with the thick-bodied 

 species. 



The RJiopalocera or Butterflies are divided into Families, each 

 of which contains insects that possess certain features in common 

 by which they may all be distinguished from the members of any 

 other family. 



The British species represent eight families. They are as 

 follows : 



1. Papilionidce. Containing only one British species the 

 beautiful Swallow-tail (Plate I, fig. 1). 



