CHAPTER XXII. 



ORDER XI. LEPIDOPTERA ( Continued ). 



BOMBYCIDES. 



PHAL^N^ ( LiNN^us). MOTHS. 



The antenna of moths, as has already been observed, tapers from the base to the apex : it 

 may be simple, or plumed like a feather ; but the organ differs much according to sex, 

 the pectinated antenna being more strongly marked in the males, who are also provided 

 with a sucking tube which takes the place of a tongue, and is rolled up very compactly, 

 being sometimes very long, in other cases very short. The palpi grow from the upper lip, 

 curve upwards, and cover the face, the tongue being coiled up between them. 



The larvae of the moths differ much among themselves. The number of legs is usually 

 sixteen, but some have only ten, and some are obscure and incomplete. They differ too as 

 to their clothing, some being very hairy, others nearly or quite destitute of hairs ; some 

 are smooth, others warty or spinous : some go into the earth to transform, others remain 

 above ground. 



In treating this division of the Lepidoptera, I shall follow very nearly the arrangement 

 of Dr. Harris. By Linn^us, the moths or spinners were divided into eight groups, viz : 

 1, Attaci ; 2, Bombyccs ; 3, JVoctua ; 4, Geometrce ; 5, Tortrices ; 6, Pyralides ; 7, Tinea ; 

 8, Alucitae. 



Lithosiidae. 



The moths of this family have slender bodies, are never very large, and their wings when 

 at rest lie flat upon their bodies. The antenns are bristleform and rather long, and but 

 slightly feathered in some of the genera ; in others, in the males, there is a double row of 

 short hairs on the under side. The tongue is distinct, but only moderately long. The back 

 Is not woolly, and the thorax is not crested. The wings are often beautifully spotted or 



