CONTENTS. xv 



CHAPTER IX. 



DAY-FLYING MOTHS. 



PAGE 



Lepidoptera divided into Rhopalocera (butterflies, or day-flyers) and 

 Heterocera (moths, or night-flyers) Antennae unsatisfactory as a 

 classificatory basis : no one set of characters will serve as an infal- 

 lible guide to distinguish moths from butterflies " The series of 

 affinities in nature a concatenation or continuous series " This 

 more or less gradual blending a strong argument in favour of com- 

 munity of descent Castniidae in some respects combine the cha- 

 racters of both Lepidopterous divisions Have most affinities with 

 moths Megathymus yucccc, the Yucca Borer, an interesting 

 aberrant form Regarded by some as a genuine butterfly Habi- 

 tat, appearance, habits Depredations committed : white powdery 

 bloom : funnel-like tube, characteristic of larva Brilliant and 

 graceful Uraniidae proved to belong to the Heterocera Urania 

 boisduvalii, one of the most beautiful Lepidoptera known ; and 

 others Migratory habits of day-flying moths ... ... ... 184 



CHAPTER X. 



THE CASE MOTHS (PSYCHID/E). 



In structure of female, and in habit, the strangest and most abnormal 

 of all Lepidoptera Females have become degenerate Young sack- 

 bearers at home Ingenuity in construction of case Metura 

 elongata a most interesting architect Lictor Moth Animula 

 huebneri Curious case of Animula herrichii Enlargement, re- 

 pair, locomotion, temporary suspension, complete withdrawal, 

 mode of moving and retaining position within case Coming of 

 Age of male Supposed assistance of long sticks at event After- 

 life, and general characteristics Want of homogeneousness in 

 perfect state of insects of this group Probable cause of dis- 

 appearance of beauty of male Singular rarity of moths consider- 

 ing abundance of cases P'emales perpetual prisoners, living and 

 dying within larva habitaculum ... ... ... ... 203 



