INSECTS: WINGS AND THEIR APPENDAGES 97 



These from the pretty Si-x-spot Burnet Hawkmoth are 

 nearly opaque, especially those from the red parts of the 

 wings, which have a rich ruddy glow by transmitted light. 

 They are narrow in shape, tapering gradually forward from 

 the foot- stalk, and terminate mostly in two blunt points. 

 The ribs are coarse for the size of the scales, and the 

 depressed spaces are marked with irregular pigment- 

 grains. 



The hairs with which the bodies of Moths are invested 

 are essentially of the same character as the scales which 

 clothe their wings. Here are examples from the glowing 

 sides of the abdomen of that richly colored insect, the 

 Cream- spot Tiger-moth (Arctia villica). You see they 

 are simple scales, drawn out to an inordinate length and 

 great tenuity; each has its quill-like 

 foot- stalk, and we may trace on some 

 of them the ribs and transverse dotting, 

 while here we see all intermediate stages 

 between the slenderest hair and the 

 broadly ovate, bluntly - pointed scales 

 from the wings. 



You are familiar of course with the 

 brilliant little Blue Butterfly (Polyom- 

 matus Alexis), which dances and glitters 

 in the sunshine on waste places in June. 

 Among the scales of ordinary form which 

 clothe the lovely little wings will occur 

 one here and there of a different shape BATTLEDOOR SCALE OF PO- 



LYOMMATUS ALEXIS. 



from the rest. Here you may see one; 



it is much smaller than the average; the foot-stalk is very 



long, and the shape of the entire scale is that of a battle- 



door c The ribs are rather few and coarse, and they have 

 15 SCIENCE 5 



