GEOMETRID.'E. — GEOMETRA. 169 



the small size of the present i3estival insects, opposed to their comparatively 

 gigantic vernal ancestors and successors, if they be identical ; for in that case, 

 as referred to in a former note (vol. i. p. 18.), the succession of broods is alter- 

 nately diminished and increased— a physiological fact which is well adapted 

 for investigation, as in other species that have more than one brood in the 

 year, such as Phlogophora raeticulosa, the individuals of the various births 

 are of equal dimensions. 



Very abundant in lanes and shady places by the sides of woods 

 in the begiiniing of July, in the neighbourhood of London. " Ep- 

 ping."— i¥r. Douhkdai/, who informs me that he has actually reared 

 the present insect from eggs deposited by the vernal female. 



Sp. 13. lunaria. Alls griseo-alhidis, obsolete atomosis, anticis strig/'s duahus hriin- 



neix, omnibus lumiM in medio alba. (Exp. alar. 1 unc. 5—8 lin.) 

 Pb. lunaria. Fabricius.—Don.i\. pi. 132.— Ge. lunaria. Steph. Catal. part ii. 



p. 120. No. 6171. 

 Anterior wings giiseous- white, or ashy, obsoletely irroratcd, with an incurved 

 fuscous striga at the base, and a second slightly flexuous one behind the middle, 

 beyond which the wing is of a paler hue, with a semilunar rufous patch at 

 the apex, the hinder margin irregularly dentate and angulated ; between the 

 strio-ffi is generally a rufescent cloud on the costa, in which is a denuded mem- 

 braneous transparent lunule, common to both surfaces, and from the rufescent 

 cloud frequently arises an irregularly bent rufous striga: posterior wings 

 paler, rounded, deeply but irregularly dentate, with a transparent lunule in 

 the middle, edged with fuscous, and a double transverse fuscescent striga, 

 behind which is frequently a third, the space between being reddish. The 

 female paler, more irrorated, but the strigiE less distinct. Beneath the wings 

 are purplish-red, with a central lunule and two transverse striga;, the space 

 between of a deeper colour. 

 The colour of the insect varies considerably, and the position of the strigas 



slightly. 

 Caterpillar dirty-green mottled with darker colours, and resembling a piece of 

 bark :— it feeds on the whitethorn ; the imago appears in June. 



Rather scarce; the only locality where I have ever found it 

 beino- on some palings in the road leading from Lewisham to 

 Eltham : — it has, however, occurred at Coombe and Darenth Woods. 

 " Nettleton.'^— T. C. Hey sham, Esq. " York."— W. C. Hewitson, 

 Esq, " Warwick, Coleshill, kcr—Rev. W. T. Bree. " Near 

 Jedburgh, Eoxburghshire."— i?cf. IF. Little. " Weston-on-the- 

 green." — Rev. A. H. MaUlieivs. 



Haustellata. Vol. III. 31st May, 1831. n 



