BRITISH MOTHS 



Introduction. — There are more than two thousand 

 species of British Moths, and whilst it is impossible to 

 mention these even by name, a careful sortation has been 

 made of a representative selection from the chief families, 

 with the idea that sufficient interest will have been 

 created to set up a desire on the part of the reader to 

 follow up the matter further on his own account. As 

 moths so closely resemble Butterflies in their general 

 life, habits, and structure, it is not necessary to re- 

 capitulate same here, but to devote the remaining space 

 at disposal to a consideration of the species to which 

 it is thought desirable to draw attention. The first 

 Family — the Hawk Moths — happens to be a particularly 

 attractive one, and even among confirmed country 

 dwellers much interest is aroused when one of these fine 

 insects is captured At times the interest actually 

 grows into fear, and that on the part of people who ought 

 to know better. Thus, a local policeman brought to 

 me in custody a beautiful specimen of the Eyed Hawk 

 Moth last Summer, and was very much alarmed when 

 I at once opened the box in which it was contained, and 



gave the prisoner its liberty. If the poor constable 

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