ERMINES 161 



slightly spotted with black, and the abdomen 

 carmine. 



There are two moths called * Ermines' 

 from a faint resemblance subsisting between 

 their wings and the fur. The White Ermine 

 (Spilosoma menthastri), Plate XVII., Fig. 6, 

 has the forewings whitish, with a yellow 

 tinge, and sprinkled with small black spots; 

 the hindwings white, with a black spot in 

 the centre, and two or three at the edge. 

 The Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lubrwpedd) is 

 so like the other that I have not figured 

 it. The latter species is of a pale yellow 

 spotted with black. 



The true Silk Moth (Bonibyx mori) is not 

 found in this country except in a domesti- 

 cated state. We have, however, several 

 moths which use silk more or less in the 

 construction of their cocoons. The Tiger 

 Moths are of this sort, and I propose to 

 add five others, all interesting species. No 

 British moth produces silk in a quantity 

 that is of any value from a commercial point 

 of view. The Emperor, or Smaller Pea- 

 cock Moth (Saturnia pavonid), Plate XVIIL, 

 Fig 1, is one of the handsomest of the 



