152 NATURAL HISTORY. 



3. CANDLE MOTHS. 



The wings are divided into partitions ; the legs long, 

 and fitted with a kind of spurs. They fly but seldom in 

 the day-time, and undergo the same metamorphosis as 

 the butterfly. 



The Ghost Moth (alucita pentadactyla), plate 23, 

 fig. 4. Wings composed of five feathers ; length, one 

 inch ; altogether white, and very delicately formed. The 

 caterpillar is pale green, with a yellow head, and some- 

 what hairy ; lives on black thorn and plum trees ; ad- 

 heres to walls, etc., in the pupa state, and, after remain- 

 ing thus for a fortnight, the green, somewhat rough nym- 

 pha, comes forth a winged moth. 



II. PlIAL^NA. 



"Wings broad, horizontal or roof-shaped ; feelers filiform 

 or pectinated ; body more or less hairy. The caterpillar 

 is smooth or hairy, with five or six pairs of feet ; undergoes 

 the transforming process in a cocoon, sometimes above, 

 sometimes below the earth or in the open air. They fly 

 by night. 



1. GEOMETRA. 



The antennae are bristle-like, sometimes feathered ; 

 proboscis recurved, wings horizontal, seldom erect ; cater- 

 pillar slender, cylindrical, smooth, and provided with 

 five or six pairs of feet. They feed by night: their 

 attitude of repose is singular ; extended along the stem 

 or branch, which forms their home, they so closely re- 

 semble the little twigs of the plant whereon they rest, 



