270 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



with two reddish brown cross lines, and a submarginal line of black-and-white 

 dots (often indistinct). It flies in June and July. 



The Beautiful Snout (Bomolocha fontis) is smaller (i-ij inch), and has 

 far more prominent markings. Male has fore-wings of ashy grey, with two 

 dark brown patches, the smaller at the apex ; the female has whitish fore- 

 wings, with the same two dark patches, the smaller one being shaded. L. 

 feeds on bilberry in August to September. Moth in June to July. Local in 

 Southern Counties chiefly. 



The Buttoned Snout (Hypena rostralis). E. i-ij inch. Fore-wings grey- 

 brown, the basal half a much darker shade, and a triangular brown patch close 

 to the apex. The stigmata are two raised black patches (the "buttons"). 

 L. feeds on hop. Moth in August and September, and again in May. Moder- 

 ately common in Southern Hop Districts. 



The White-line Snout (Hypenodes tcenialis). E. f inch. Is light ochreous- 

 brown. Two plain black lines cross the fore-wings, the outer one edged with 

 whitish ; the central mark is X shaped. L. said to feed on heather and 

 thyme. Moth in July to August. Ly. Hillsides, wood edges. (The PINION- 

 STREAKED SNOUT (H. costcestrigalis) is distinguished from preceding by the 

 whitish streak from the apex of the fore-wings.) 



Family : Bvephidce. 



Orange Underwing (Brephos parthenias). E. ij-i inch. Known by 

 its orange hind-wings, with black margins, a black patch from the base, and 

 a central crescent-shaped spot of black. L. on birch April to June. Moth 

 in March to April. Common. (The LIGHT ORANGE UNDERWING (B. nopha) 

 is similar, but smaller (E. i-ij inch). P.p. aspen. It is a local species.) 



Family : Geometrida. 



This family gains its name " geometers," or " measurers," or " loopers," 

 from the mode of movement of the larvae. These have only two pairs of 

 claspers or fore-legs ; and so, in moving, the larva first stretches out its full 

 length, moving from side to side as if measuring the distance, and then, arching 

 or looping its body, brings up its hinder part to the point held by the true 

 legs. They feed chiefly on the leaves of trees and low plants. Many of the 

 moths may be obtained in the daylight by " beating." There are five sub- 

 families, four of which are represented in Britain. 



i. Geometrincz. 



Grass Emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata}. E. i|-i| inch. At first the 

 colour is a bluish green, which fades later to a grey-green. The cross lines, 

 when visible, are darker. L. feeds on petty-whin, broom, etc. Moth in 

 June to July. Ly. Moors and commons. 



