104 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



long perplexed entomologists, and some strange loca- 

 tions have recently been assigned to them. We were 

 fortunate in observing many of this family in their 

 native regions,, and thus obtained a clue to their natural 

 affinities. The perfect insects fly with great rapidity 

 during the heat of the day, and much in the same man- 

 ner as the typical Hesperidtf, yet we never saw them 

 settle upon flowers ; and when they rest, it is generally 

 on the shady stem of a large tree, having the wings 

 invariably deflexed or incumbent, similar to the noc- 

 turnal moths (Noctuides Sw.). The transformation 

 of one species (Castnia Licus) is imperfectly figured 

 on the thirty-sixth plate of Merian : the larva is repre- 

 sented as long, thick, smooth, and much resembles that 

 of a Pieris : the pupa, according to this figure, appears 

 suspended from a plant by the posterior extremity.* 

 The perfect insects are the largest of the whole tribe : 

 the wings are broad, powerful, and the farinaceous 

 scales so large, as to be distinguished, in many species, 

 by the naked eye. The head is very small ; and the 

 antennae are intermediate in form between a Sphinx 

 and a Hesperia. Dr. Horsfield, in his general survey of 

 the Lepidoptera, has altogether omitted this group, the 

 characters of which we illustrated several years ago. *t* 



(101.) The third primary division of the order 

 comprises the Phalcence of Linnaeus, better known by 

 the name of moths. These insects, with a few exceptions, 

 are completely nocturnal ; concealing themselves in the 

 day, and flying abroad during the dusk. Their size, in 

 general, is small; although some few are among the largest 

 Lepidoptera yet discovered. They undergo the same 

 three-fold transformation of aU lepidopterous insects ; 

 and, like them, feed upon the nectar of flowers. Several, 

 however, by a singular provision of Providence, seem to 

 take all the nourishment necessary for their support, in 

 the caterpillar state ; since, when they become moths, 

 they never have a proboscis. 



* Merian's figures, however, are not always to be depended upoa. 

 fr Zool. 111., pi. 1*3. 



