S72 



IMV£RT£BRdr£S. 



day, remaining fixed to the stalks or leaves of plants. As soon m 

 night approaches they revive from their daily slumbers, and may 

 be seen flying about in all their sportive liveliness. This disposi- 

 tion is very deeply implanted in their nature. It even shows itself 

 when they are confined in boxes. During the day they are dor- 

 mant and motionless, without changing their place in the slighte;t 

 degree; but as soon as the sun is about setting, they begin to awake, 

 and flutter about and fly as much as the limits of their narrow 

 prison will allow. 



The largest and most splendid of all the moths is the pTialsena 

 aths. It is a magnificent insect. When its wings are extended, 

 it is in measurement no less than eight inches and a half. It is 

 beautified with a proportionate splendor of ornamental coloring. 

 The ground-color is of a fine, deep, orange-brown. In the middle 

 of each wing there is a large transparent spot, resembling a pieo» 



