10 



given to me, feeding on hair and moss, which had been used to 

 stuff out a small elephant made of india-rubber. I have also bred 

 it from a bird's nest. Mr. West, of (ireenwich, gave me several 

 larvae feeding on red cloth, from which some very fine specimens were 

 reared last year. 



When, some ten years ago, I took a survey of the smaller moths 

 of Britain, my attention was distinctly drawn to what I would call 

 the constellation of the Tineids. I believe the chief attraction in 

 those days to me was the variegated warm browns displayed on the 

 forewings of such species as Scardia boleti and Tinea parasitella. 

 Tinea corticella is even more delightful in that sense as it is more 

 delicate. 



When I sought some acquaintance with these gems in the field, 

 naturally the first I came across was Tinea cloacella. This is a 

 very beautiful and variable species, and served to whet my appetite 

 and make acquaintance with the other members of this interesting 

 group. But, Ars longa, vita brevis est, and consequently I have 

 only made personal acquaintance with some few of the species. 

 I have ventured to give utterance to the above remarks in the 

 hope that the members of this Society will give their personal 

 experience, so that our united efforts may produce a report of some 

 economic value. I say of economic value, because my remarks on 

 this occasion do not apply so much to those species which have 

 still retained the love of their sylvan haunts, but more especially 

 to those species which have found it convenient to share the warmth 

 and comfort with which man has surrounded himself. They are in 

 most cases uninvited guests, and the idea of these remarks is to 

 obtain information as to the actual damage they do, and as to the 

 best means of circumventing their attack. 



