JUNE. 1 69 



LEPIDOPTERA. ARCTIHLE. 



CERURA. 



Generic Distinctions. Antennae bipectinate ; palpi four, and 

 small ; proboscis short, and nearly straight ; legs, the anterior pair 

 have an unusual appendage in the form of a lobe, long and com- 

 pressed, attached to the inner side near the base. 



CERURA VINULA. Puss Moth. The expansion of the 

 wings, which are diaphanous (semi-transparent), is about 

 three inches, the anterior pair being greyish-white, with 

 many and varied dusky lines, and the base spotted with 

 black ; the nervures are of a yellowish-brown colour, and 

 strongly marked ; the hinder wings are ashy-brown, rather 

 white at the edge, having an obscure crescent on the disc, 

 and a few dark spots on the posterior margin. The cater- 

 pillar is remarkable for its grotesque form ; it has a large, 

 singular-looking head, which it holds in an elevated posi- 

 tion, and a forked tail, which is likewise kept in an erect 

 posture. Isaac Walton's description, though curious, is 

 tolerably accurate : " His lips and mouth somewhat 

 yellow ; his eyes as black as jet ; his forehead purple ; his 

 feet and hinder parts green ; his tail forked and black ; the 

 whole body stained with red spots, which run along the 



