6S PLATE 



That the Phalaena Difpar was not uncommonly fcarce about fiftees 

 years ago, is evident from this circumftance, few colledions of 

 Britifh infecls, that were in the hands of eminent colledlors, are 

 without an Englifli fpeclmen, which was procured about that time; 

 and Harris, in 1775, as well as fome other writers about the fame 

 period, fpeak confidently of its being found in this country. Berken- 

 hout, in his Synopfis, fays, it is *■' frequent zhont Ealing, in Middle- 

 fex." But this v/e can, on the befl: authority, difpute ; it never was 

 frequent in that place, though it has feveral times been met with, by 

 coUeftors of infeds ; a parcel of eggs being obtained from them, 

 and hatching, many caterpillars were procured ; and thefe being 

 carefully attended, feveral moths were alfo produced. This is not a 

 very extraordinary circumftance, as many of the rareft infefts may 

 become common, when the eggs, or a brood of caterpillars, can be 

 difcovered. 



We are willing to acknowledge, that we have not been more for- 

 tunate in our refearches for the caterpillar or moth of this fpecies, 

 than any others engaged in the fcience of entomology ; but we have 

 procured from Germany a colledion, containing many valuable 

 rarities that have been found in this country at different times ; 

 amongft thefe we have mod perfeft and finely preferved fpecimens of 

 Phalana Difpar, in its feveral ftates, and thefe perfedly agree with 

 thofe formerly colleded in England. Our Plate contains only one 

 fic^ure of the caterpillar, and that is of the female. The male differs 

 only in being fmaller, and in the fize of the head, which is lefs in 

 proportion than that of the female. 



In this inflance, we truft, any apology will be unnecefTary, though 

 the original fpecimens were not found in this country: it muft be an 

 advantage to the work to contain figures of the rareft infedls ; and 

 fhould any of our readers be fo fortunate as to find the caterpillar, they 

 will be able to determine the fpecies, and the proper food to rear it 

 on ; or, if the brood be extina, the plate will be more interefting, 

 as there cannot remain a doubt of its having been indigenous m 

 England. 



