76 P LATE LXV. 



FIG. 11. IIL 

 PHALiENA SEMI-ARGENTELLA. 



Lepidoptera. 

 Tinea. 



SPECIFIC CHJRACTER. 



Superior wings gold, with ftripes of filver, inferior wings grey-brown* 



Fig. II. natural fize. Fig. III. magnified appearance. 



Pha. Semi-argentella is without exception one of the moft brilliant 

 little moths we have ; the natural fize is fcarcely fufficient to difplay 

 its fuperior elegance, but when examined by the microfcope, imagi- 

 nation cannot paint a more refplendent objeft, for we inftantly difcover 

 a moft wonderful combination of all the varied fhades of molten filver 

 and burnifhed goldj its fuperior wings are entirely adorned with plates 

 which exhibit in one view the appearance of thofe coftly metals, but 

 vary with every direftion of light ; that which appears gold in one point 

 of fight becoming red, or bright orange, while the fhades which 

 were before of a dark brown, afiumes the refplendence of burnifhed 

 gold ; the thorax glitters with the fame fplendor ; the head, antennae, 

 and even the legs, partake alfo of this rich colouring in fome changes 

 of light; the inferior wings are of a very delicate texture, grey colour, 

 changeable, and though comparatively fmall, are furrounded by a deep 

 fringe, which gives them the appearance of proportion. 



We are unacquainted with the works of any author that contain a 

 figure of this infect, or we might perhaps be enabled to determine 



whsthei" 



