AND TUETR TRANSFORMATIONS. j.c 



not been named, but which form so many links conneciing the supposed species together, diflFer in no one essential 

 specific character, either in antennce, palpi, tibi;e, or tarsi. 



The caterpillar varies from ashy grey with reddish lateral lines, to ferruginous varied with brown, and a 

 brown head. It feeds on low plants. The moths frequent woods, hedges, and gardens, and the more ordinary 

 varieties are by no means rare. 



SPECIES 2.— CARADRINA MORPHEUS. Plate XXIX., Fig. 13, 14. 



Synonymes. — Noctua Morpheus, Viewci; ; Trcitsclike ; (Stephens ; 

 Boisduval ; Wood, Ind. Eiit. pi. II, fig. 201. 



pi. 11, fig. 202. 



Noctua radica, Esiicr ? 



Noctua Sepii, IlUlinci- ; Ilawortli ; Stephens ; Wood, Ind. F.nt. Noctua puUa, Beckwilh in Linn. Trans. 2, pi. 1, fig. 7, 9 ? 



This species measures about 1 j- inch in the expansion of the fore wings, which are of a pale greyish brown, 

 with a shining gloss ; the markings indistinct, the costa varied with numerous short, dusky, oblique spots, a 

 transverse striga close to the base of the wings, a second, much-waved, preceding the basal stigma, which, as well 

 as the other, are dusky and rather wide apart, the space between them is darker ; beyond the outer stigma 

 runs a slender invicli-curved row of dots, and beyond this a rather broad, irregular, dusky bar, succeeded by a 

 paler streak ; the margin itself dusky, and marked with a row of blackish dots. The hind wings pale whitish 

 buff, having a black dot in the middle, towards the costa, on the under side. " Varieties darker in colour, and 

 clouded, or spotted with deep fuscous or black, are generally called Morpheus," which is considered identical 

 with Sepii by Bentley and Boisduval. Jlr. Stephens, however, considered his specimen of Morpheus as distinct, 

 on account of its differing in its i)ale ochraceous or flaveseent ash-culour from all the specimens he had seen 

 of Sepii. 



The caterpillar is of a reddish-brown colour, with a pale dorsal line and obscure later.il streaks. The larva;, as 

 described by Beckwith, has the back and belly of a pale livid colour ; and along the middle of the back is a row 

 of white rhomboidal spots ; the sides dark brown, with the lower extremity edged with a white line ; he describes 

 it as lying concealed at tlic roots of willows during the day, and ascending the trees to feed on the leaves at 

 night. This description seems inapplicable to the present species, of which the caterpillar is said to feed on 

 the wild convolvulus. The perfect insect is very common, and appears in June. 



SPECIES 3.— CARADRINA CUBICULARIS. Plate XXIX., Fkv. 1.5. 



Synonymes. — Noctuacubicularis,ilu\>Dei\ Hawoith ; Treitschke; 

 Boisduval ; Stephens ; Wood, Ind. Eut. pi. 11, fig. 203. 

 Noctua segetum, Esper. 

 Noctua i-punctata, Fahricius ; Stewart. 



Noctua superstes, Hauorth ; Slcpliens ; Wood, Ind. Eut. pi. II, 

 fig. 204. 



Caraihina superstes, Treitschke I 



Noctua hlanda, Ha wort h ; Ilubncr ? Dupunchel .^ Boisduval!-' 



This small species varies from 1 to 11 inch in the expanse of the fore wings, which are of a pale greyish 

 brown-buff, with four black dots on the costa, indicating the origin of the ordinary strigs, the two basal ones of 

 which are very slender and very much dentated ; the basal stigma is very indistinct, marked by a slightly 

 fulvous speck. Between this and the outer stigma is a very indistinct series of dark arches ; the outer stigma is 

 fulvous, but rather indistinct, with a blackish patch at its base, marked with two minute specks, followed by a 

 much-curved row of delicate black arches, the apical portion of the wing being varied with brown, pale luteous 

 buff, and reddish-brown, forming several indistinct and irregular fasciee. The apical margin itself is dotted with 

 black ; the hind wings white, with a pearly tinge ; the margin slightly brown ; beneath they have a dusky 

 fascia running from the costa; and the margin is dotted with small black marks. This species is liable to 

 considerable variation, both in the distinctness of the strigaa and in the extent of the reddish-brown markings 

 near the apex of the wings. Mr. Bentley states that large and dark varieties are generally named Superstes in 



