OR PLUME-MOTHS. 341 



naked, and suspended, like those of most butterflies, 

 by the tail, the hooks of which are fixed into some 

 loops of silk attached to the plant, whilst for addi- 

 tional security a silken belt is sometimes passed round 

 the middle of the body. The number of known Bri- 

 tish species of this remarkably distinct group is but 

 small, and most of them are of considerable rarity. 



With these little Lepidopterous fairies we come to 

 the end of this Order, which numbers in its ranks 

 some of the most beautiful and some of the most 

 injurious members of the vast army of Insects. In 

 the following Order we shall meet with plenty of 

 equally obnoxious species, but unfortunately beauty 

 is by no means one of their most striking character- 

 istics, although in their structure and habits they 

 present as much to interest the entomologist as any 

 of the other Orders of Insects. 



Gastropacha quercifolia. 



