4 AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA 



AustraUan Lepidoptera, sufficient for one large volume, to London lor publication, but owing to the very expensive nature of the 

 undertaking, coupled with the uncertainty of success, this design had to be abandoned, and after remaining in England for a 

 term of seven years (latterly under the kind care of Dr. Gray, of the British lluseum) tliey were, at our request, returned. 

 On their arrivalherc, in November, 1858, we still determined to proceed with the publication, although we felt that in this 

 young country it could only be accomplislied principally by our own exertions, and consequently would be a work of tmie. 

 Thus, under great disadvantages, without our being in possession of modern works and periodicals for reference, and at irregular 

 times, some of the plates were struck off mth generic names attached, and the original drawings on stone were destroyed. The 

 plates mentioned above were two of these, and, therefore, the names formerly conferred are still retained, and it is but lately 

 upon the catalogue of the British Museum coming into our possession, that we have discovered that similar insects were 

 described therein in 1850, as forming the genera of Cliaragia of Walker, and Pielus of Stephens' MSS. We may further remark 

 that long prior to the transmission home of our manuscript in 1851, we had found it necessary to separate certain of the Aus- 

 traUan lignivorous lepidoptera from the genera of Cossus and Hepialus, under which they were then known, giving at the time 

 our reasons for so doing ; and we bestowed upon the new genera thus created, names derived from the habits of the larvte ; thus 

 three of these lignivorous lepidoptera bore our appellations of Phloiopsycbe,' Premnopsyche,' Rhizopsyche'— the larva; of the 

 first deriving their principal nutriment from the bark of trees, tliosc of the second existing in the interior of the lower portions of 

 the trunk, and the last living underground and feeding upon the roots. Without insisting upon the greater appropriateness 

 of out ow-n nomenclature, we have unhesitatingly rejected these generic names, and, in our text adopted those subsequently 

 given in the catalogue of the British Museum, but, for the reasons enumerated, these uuintentional infringements upou the law 

 of priority arc now too late for correction in the plates. 



With these few remarks, we shall proceed to describe the habits of this interesting genus. 



As we possess five distinct species, varying from 2 to (i inches in expanse of wings, we are enabled to afford a tolerably 

 accurate account of the habits and metamorplioses of the Cliaragia, and as these are remarkably consistent in all, one general 

 description will suffice for the group. 



On this Island for instance, whether we take a walk in the more open uncultivated spots which the Casuarinas and 

 Melaleuca; frequent, indicating a low and damp soil ; or in the rich, dense, brushes favorable to the growth of slirubs and climbers, 

 we may perceive, from a bag-like substance, inflated, and consisting of triturated portions of wood and bark lield together by 

 silken threads, that the stems and branches of the Casuarina paludosa in the former, and of those of the Acmena elliptica, 

 Dodonaja angustifolia, Jasminum gracilc, Teeoma Australis, and Cupania xylocarpa in the latter, have been injured by the larvae 

 of some insect. On closer inspection we have the gratification to find that these larva; are lepidoptcrous, and of a size worthy 

 our attention and regard. By taking the precaution of placing the end of the cut limb in damp sand, or in a shallow pan of 

 water, to keep the wood moist and to prevent the contraction in drying wliich otherwise inevitably occurs, we at length succeed 

 in rearing a few to the perfect state, and are rewarded liy the acquisition of these lovely inhabitants of the woods. Our exertions 

 become redoubled, more favorable habitats are found, and specimens and species more numerous and diversified repay our toils. 

 To us the Cliaragia; are now no rarity, and their habitations, once so eagerly sought for, arc passed by with comparative 

 indifference. 



If wo wish to obtain tli<; larva; we select tliose n(;sts the outer covering of which is unbroken ; if, however, wo desire the 

 chrysalis for the sake of perfect specimens, we choose the nests that have the web torn in front and apparently deserted ; but if 

 fine threads of silk are seen woven about and around tlie aperture of the cell, which the larva had excavated in the centre of the 

 wood, and if by the gentle insertion of any probe a resistance from a close web is met with about a quarter of an inch down, we 

 are certain that the pupa is within, but without these indications nothing will be found but an empty nest, for tlie moth has 

 flown. The Caterpillar on feeling the approach of maturity, ruptures in front that fabric which it had so ably constructed for its 

 security and comfort in its younger days, and in lieu thereof weaves a rather slight web a little below the entrance, retiring 

 within to await the final change. 



The chrysalis possesses in a more remarkable degree than other lignivorous lepidoptera the power of locomotion within 

 its tubular dwelling, and it is indeed an interesting sight to observe the instinct and agility it displays shortlv before it rends its 

 puparium.' It then ascends to the mouth of the aperture, forcing the frail barrier of silken tissue aside with its horny head 



' Oharagia, Walker, Brit. Mus. Cat., Lep. Het., p. 1.509. 



' Zcuzera, Lalreille. 



'Pielus, Stepliens' MSS., Brit. Mus. Cat., Lep. Het., p. 1576. 



'Wo take our description from the Cliaragia Ramsayi, miH MSS., the largest of the group in our possession, as its movements were more palpable and 

 striking in consequence of its superior size. 



