MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



wings are pure old gold, almost reddish, with dark 

 brownish-black bands, and yellow borders. The top of 

 the abdomen is a gray-gold colour. Underneath, the 

 markings are nearly the same as Amatrix, but a gold 

 flush suffuses the moth. 



There are numbers of these Catocala moths running 

 the colour scheme of yellow, from pale chrome to umber. 

 Many shade from light pink through the reds to a dark 

 blood colour. Then there is a smaller number having 

 brown back wings and with others they are white. 



The task of tracing the markings and colouring the 

 general ground of the fore-wings of these moths, was 

 one of the most difficult of the book. I did the best I 

 could, and the engravers worked faithfully. I fear the 

 Sweetheart is a trifle darker than she should be for an 

 average representation; the Bride is better. But it must 

 be remembered that these colours are copied from fresh 

 specimens. The moths live the summer season and grow 

 more of a grayish tan as they age. Like all others they 

 fade rapidly when mounted. I never have seen either a 

 Sweetheart or Bride among museum specimens that I 

 would have recognized without its identifying label. 



Just why these moths, when they are so very wild, seek 

 the shade of my vines and veranda persistently, I do 

 not understand. It is only by the use of extreme care 

 in handling them when I was so fortunate as to capture 

 one of each, that I have secured any likenesses at all. 



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