366 INSECTS. LEPIDOPTERA. 



This genus was included by Linnaeus in his genus Phalaena, and formed one of 

 its divisions. The body of the Bombices is, however, always thicker than the Pha- 

 lastice, and they live in the perfect state for a much shorter time than the other noc- 

 turnal lepidopterous insects. Incapable of taking nourishment in this state, from 

 wanting a tongue and trunk, the winged insect exists only for the purpose of re- 

 production. 



JB. Ailas, Lat. Fab. Body reddish-brown ; antennae fawn-coloured 

 and pectinated ; upper wings the colour of the body, falcated at 

 their extremity, the base grayish ferruginous; middle of the 

 disc with a transparent triangular spot, bordered with blackish, 

 and sometimes a smaller one near the exterior border ; disc fer- 

 ruginous, divided by a whitish band ; extended wings 8 inches 

 broad. Inhabits China, c. Fab. Spec. ii. 167- 



B. pavonia major, Fab. Antennae pectinated ; thorax deep brown, 

 with a large white band on the anterior part ; wings brown, with 

 waved transverse reddish-brown and gray lines, the extremity 

 bordered with a broad whitish-brown band, and an ocellated spot 

 surrounded with gray, red, and black on the middle of the four 

 wings ; extended wings 5 to 7 inches broad. Inhabits Southern 

 Europe. Shaw, vi. pi. J6. 



B. pavonia minor, Fab. Wings rounded, clouded with gray, and 

 waved with fuscous lines and an ocellated spot on each wing ; ex- 

 tended wings 2 inches long. Britain. Found near Edinburgh. 

 Fab. Spec. ii. 171. 



This and the preceding species which resemble each other much, except in point of 

 size, are by some considered as varieties of one species, and by others as two distinct 

 species. The Caterpillars of both are tuberculated, feed on the leaves of fruit trees, 

 and towards the end of summer forms a brown solid cocoon of an oval form, termi- 

 nating in a soft point at one of its ends, the silk being very strong and gummy. 



B. tau, Fab. Wings reddish yellow, with an ocellated violet spot, 

 of which the centre or pupil presents whitish streaks of the ap- 

 pearance of the letter T. Inhabits Europe, on the birch Fab. 

 Spec. ii. 172. 



B. processioned, Fab. Antennae pectinated, reddish-brown ; body 

 and wings gray cinereous ; wings above with some transverse wav- 

 ed brown lines ; under parts gray ; caterpillar hairy, of a gray 

 colour, and with sixteen feet, with some yellow tubercles. In- 

 habits Europe, on the oak. Fab. Spec. ii. 180. 

 The caterpillars of this species live in society on the oak, and spin webs in common, 

 where they remain till they change their skin. Towards the commencement of sum- 

 mer they make a nest of from eighteen to twenty inches long, and five or six broad, 

 the centre of which rises four inches above the branch upon which it is fixed. 

 The walls are formed of many webs attached together, and the space in the centre is 

 occupied by the caterpillars. One small opening serves for their entrance and exit. 

 During the heat of the day they remain concealed, and come out at night to feed. 

 They have their specific name from the formal manner in which they arrange their 

 march. The first which comes forth makes a signal, and another comes out, till the 

 whole are arranged in regular files, sometimes to the number of eight. When about 

 to change into pupss, each spins its own cocoon, and they remain under this form 

 about a month. The nest of these caterpillars often produces inflammation when 

 touched with the hand. 



B. mori, Fab. Lat. The Silk-worm Moth. Antennae brown, pec- 

 tinated ; wings white, with transverse brown lines, the upper ones 



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