LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 33 



Genus NOCTUA, Fabricius. 



The antennse are setaceous, generally simple ; 

 tongue long, horny, rolled up in a spiral form ; 

 upper palpi very small, concealed, the two under 

 ones bent, with the second joint very large,, com- 

 pressed, and furnished with scales, and the last 

 very small j body covered with small scales, the 

 abdomen conical ; thorax frequently tufted; wings 

 sloping in the greater number. 



The insects of this genus, like all the other Lepidoptera, 

 have their wings covered with a scaly dust, which is removed by 

 the slightest touch ; the lower wings are plicated longitudinally 

 on their internal side. They are commonly found in woods, gar- 

 dens, and meadows, ahout the plants where the females deposit 

 their ova. They fly abroad generally ahout sunset, remaining 

 during the day concealed under leaves, on branches, or fixed 

 upon walls. They couple almost as soon as they change from 

 the pupa state. The male dies after coupling, and the female 

 'when she has insured the continuance of the species by the 

 deposition of the ova. The species of this numerous genus 

 are found on bushes and trees of various kinds. 



FAMILY V. TOBTRICES, Latreille. 



Caterpillars some with fourteen, but the greater 

 number with sixteen feet, the anal ones never 

 wanting ; labial palpi sometimes short and cylin- 

 drical, sometimes recurved above the head, 

 pointed, or in the form of horns. 



The caterpillars in this family roll themselves up in leaves or 

 flowers, or live in the interior of fruits. The wings of the in- 



