JUNE. 169 



Lepidoptera. Arctiid.e. 



CERURA. 



Generic Distinctions. — Antenna bipectinate ; palpi four, and 

 small; proboscis short, and nearly straight; legs, the anterior 

 pair have an unusual appendage in the form of a lobe, long and 

 compressed, attached to the inner side near the base. 



Cerura vinula. Puss Moth. The expansion of the 

 wings, which are diaphanous (semi-transparent), is about 

 three inches, the anterior pair being greyish-white, with 

 many and varied dusky lines, and the base spotted with 

 black; the nervures are of a yellowish-brown colour and 

 strongly marked ; the hinder wings are ashy brown, rather 

 white at the edge, having an obscure crescent on the disc, 

 and a few dark spots on the posterior margin. The cater- 

 pillar is remarkable for its grotes'que form ; it has a large, 

 singular-looking head, which it holds in an elevated position, 

 and a forked tail, which is likewise kept in an erect posture. 

 Isaac Walton's description, though curious, is tolerably 

 accurate : — '^ His lips and mouth somewhat yellow ; his 

 eyes black as jet ; his forehead purple ; his feet and hinder 

 parts green; his tail forked and black; the whole body 

 stained with red spots, which run along the neck and 



b 



