512 NATURAL HISTORY. 



feet up to them, forming their body into an arch or loop. 

 When at rest, the caterpillars often deceive an observer by 

 their close resemblance to twigs, as they stretch themselves out 

 motionless from the branch. 



The family is very large, and contains many interesting 

 species, but want of space compels me to omit all but the 

 insect represented above, the SWALLOW-TAILED MOTH. The 

 caterpillar oi this moth feeds principally on the elder, willow, 

 and lime, and the moth appears in June and July. It is one 

 of the largest of the British Geometridaj, as the spread of the 

 wing considerably exceeds two inches. Its colour is a pale 

 yellow, and the lines across the wings are deep yellow. It 

 derives its name from the shape of the hinder wings. 



The MANY-PLUMED MOTH is found towards the close of 

 autumn, usually running about windows. It is very small, 

 measuring barely half an inch across the wings. The structure 

 of the wings is very curious, each of the two anterior wings 

 being divided into eight beautiful feather-like rays, and each 

 of the posterior into four rays. Nearly allied to this are the 

 common Feather Moths, the most common of which is the 

 White-plumed Moth, whose wings measure nearly an inch 

 across, and are divided into five feathered rays. 



