VARIOUS SPECIES OF MOTHS. 165 



that there are many moths not inferior in size or 

 beauty even to the butterflies, though they cannot, like 

 their diurnal brethren, boast of " troops of friends." 

 There is one in my cabinet at present, bred from a 

 caterpillar found in the lawn of the Royal Academical 

 Institution, which measures nearly three inches and 

 a half across the expanded wings. It is of a deep 

 fawn colour, and is kno^vn by the name of the oak- 

 moth (Lasciocampa quercus). The emperor (Saturnia 

 pavonia-minor) is of equal dimensions, and from the 

 splendour of his decorations well deserves his impe- 

 rial title. It is one of the largest and most conspi- 

 cuous species, — taken, although rarely, in this neigh- 

 bourhood. A few others may also be mentioned, as 

 the buff- tip {Pygeera bucephala), the ghost moth 

 (Hepialus humuli), the great tiger moth (Arctia 

 caja), the large sword-grass (Calocampa exoleta), and 

 the great bro\\Ti-bar moth (Mormo maurd). The 

 latter insect I have never seen alive ; but know that 

 it has been obsen^ed here by others. It was also 

 seen about the Weir, at Portarlington, this autumn, 

 alighting on the under surface of any projecting 

 ledge on the stepping stones, and turning over while 

 on the wing in a singular manner, so as to effect this 

 object. I may add to these the puss moth {Cerura 

 vinula), an insect, however, which is here of rare 

 occurrence. Two chrj'salids of an unusual appear- 



