303 NATURAL HISTORY. 



mon in Bagley Wood near Oxford, about the end cf June, or 

 during July. 



The RED ADMIRAL is one of the most gorgeous of our 

 butterflies. The colour of the wings is a deep black, relieved 

 by a broad band of scarlet across each, and a series of semicir- 

 cular blue marks edge each wing. It is usually found in woods 

 and lanes, were there are nettles, as the larva feeds upon that 

 plant. It appears about the middle of August. 



Family, Sphingidse. 

 ACHERONTIA. (Gr. 'Ajfpmmof, belonging to Acheron.) 



i!il I 

 Atropos (Gr. proper name ; one of the fates), the Death's-head Moth. 



This family is called Sphingidae on account of the sphynx- 

 like attitude that the caterpillars of some species assume. 

 The larva of the Puss-moth (Cerura vinula), is particularly 

 celebrated for this position. It holds the plants on which 

 it feeds with its hinder feet, and raises the fore part of its 

 body, just as the sphynx is represented. When in this 

 position, it seems so remarkably self-satisfied, that the gar- 



