164 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



was in the dusty roads. This is the large Heath 

 (Epinephele tithonvs), a lighter and prettier insect 

 than the foregoing, but affecting similar habits of life. 

 And now let us turn to the nocturnal representa- 

 tives of our butterflies : as a rule they are not so 

 gaudily coloured, and when they are, it will be the 

 hind wing that is adorned. Some of our British 

 species of moths, however, equal in brilliancy of 

 colouring any of the butterflies. Such is the common 

 Meadow Tiger (Ghelonia caja). A careful search on 

 the grassy bank in July will discover this insect, 

 and then you cannot fail to admire its rich, velvety- 

 brown fore wings, with cream-coloured markings ; 

 and the hind wings, with bluish-black spots on a 

 brilliant red ground. Still more conspicuous is the 

 caterpillar in June or July, covered with long 

 hairs that give it the appearance of a miniature 

 bear. It coils up and shows death when you touch 

 it. The hind wings of the Gatocala fraxini a rare 

 species and indeed of most species belonging to 

 this genus, are very beautiful, consisting generally 

 of a broad, ivory ftlack border on a Venetian-red 

 ground. In graceful shape, as well as colour, also, 

 although the latter is not so showy, the hawk-moths 

 will compare well. The caterpillar as well as the 

 imago of the Privet hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) 

 are beautifully ornamented. The former may be 

 commonly found in the shrub whence it derives its 

 name. It is of a delicate green colour, with seven 

 purple oblique stripes down the body, which ter- 



