THE CASE MOTHS (PSYCHIDM}. 213 



creature has no sooner arisen from his pupal slumber 

 than he begins his violent fluttering, and as the wings 

 are delicate in structure, in many instances nearly trans- 

 parent, his beauty has generally disappeared before the 

 entomologist can secure him, and specimens in good 

 order are rare in collections. With slight exception, 

 we find no homogeneousness in the perfect state of 

 the insects of this group, but much variation of form 



FIG. 40. Male and female Melnra elongata. 



presented by the different species. The general shape 

 of the body varies from one greatly elongated, as in 

 Metura elongata, in Dappula tertia, and Oiketicus kirbii, 

 to a short and robust, as well as to a short and slender 

 form. In like manner the wings vary from a long, 

 narrow, and sharp-pointed wing, as in Metura, to a wing 

 of short, broad, and ample proportions ; and again, may 

 either be densely squamose, or colourless, of beautiful 

 hyaline texture, almost or completely destitute of scales 

 or hairs. The antennae may be deeply pectinated only 



