CHAPTER VII. 



TINE^ AND PTEROPROBI. 



We no-w' come to a vast group of Moths, some of which are 

 moderately large, while some are so very minute that they 

 scarcely seem to be ranked among the Lepidoptera. 



The name Tincse is taken from a Latin word signifying a 

 Clothes Moth, and has nothing to do with our word ' tiny,' 

 however appropriate that may be in many cases. The number 

 of these Moths is really unknown, for there is scarcely a year 

 in which some new species of the Tineae is not discovered and 

 placed on the list. Indeed, so numerous are they that they 

 have collectively been ranked under a separate name, viz. 

 Micro-lepidoptera, and their study has become quite a distinct 

 branch of entomology. Their average dimensions may be seen 

 by reference to P^ig. 7 on Plate XVII., in which the beautiful 

 little Moth called the Golden. Pigmy is represented of its 

 natural size. 



We will now proceed to examine a few examples of this 

 group of Moths, and begin with the insect which is figured 

 on AVoodcut LX. Fig. 1. Its scientific title is Depressaria 

 nervosella. No popular name has yet been given to it, so, in 

 allusion to the peculiar colour of its upper wings, I will call 

 it the Brown Plusii. 



Without a magnifying glass, it is impossible to mcke out 

 correctly the colours of this little Moth. The upper wings are 

 brown, with a slight reddish gloss, and on close examinatiou are 

 seen to be covered with a great number of tiny longitudinal 

 streaks of a yellowish dun. Altogether, the general effect of the 

 upper surface of the wing is exactly like that of a piece of brown 

 plush. The base of the upper wings is dark brown, and so is a 

 small spot near the inner margin, and two dusk-dun spots on 

 the disc. The fringe of the wings is greyish-dun. The lower 



L L 2 



