218 



ALCIS SCOLOPACEA. 



PLATE XXVII. Fig. 2. 



Phal. Noct. scolopacea, Drury, Exot. Ins., vol. ii. pi. 22, fig. 1. 

 — Alcis, Curtis. — Boarmia, Treit. 



The above is a very fine foreign example of a genus 

 containing a good many British moths, which, ac- 

 cording to Mr. Curtis, may be distinguished from 

 Bttpalas, to which it is nearly related, by the males 

 being invariably smaller than the females ; the eyes 

 larger, not so distant in front ; the palpi more por- 

 rected, shorter, and not hairy, the maxillag very 

 long, the antennse not pectinated at the apex. The 

 posterior legs are long, robust, and hollow, furnished 

 with two pair of spurs, a longitudinal suture, and a 

 tuft of long silky hair arising at the base, and con- 

 cealed in the tibia when at rest. Many Lepidoptera 

 have their legs, especially the posterior, furnished 

 with brushes of hair, but in no instance are they 

 more curiously disposed than in Alcis. It is con- 

 jectured that they are designed to assist in balancing 

 the body when in flight. 



A. scolopacea is a native of Jamaica; measuring 

 nearly three inches and a half between the tips of 



