81 



being produced from a larva similar to that captured by Harris near Crayford. The 

 moth however is now ascertained to be unquestionably British. The caterpillar is 

 that of Deilephila Galii, Ochsenheimer, Stephens' Illust. Haust. i. pi. 12. f. 2. (Sphinx 

 Galii, Hubner, Sphinx, pi. 12. fig. 64. Haworth in Trans. Ent. Soc. 1807, pi. 4.) 



The Deilephila Euphorbias feeds upon several species of Euphorbia, E. Cypa- 

 nsias being its favourite plant, although it will also feed on E. Esula and E. Paralias ; 

 it however rejects several other species of the same genus. Mr Raddon, the cele- 

 brated engraver, detected this species in considerable numbers on the last named 

 plant, growing in great abundance on the extensive sand-hills at Appledore and 

 Braunton Barrows, near Barnstable in Devonshire. « They are full grown about 

 the middle of September, when they descend into the sand and change to chrysalides, 

 forming a loose case of earth around them, from which they emerge the beginning of 

 the following June. Sometimes however they remain in the pupa state two seasons, 

 as many other Lepidoptera do ; a wise provision of nature to prevent any accident 

 from destroying the whole brood. The sand-hills, where the larva is found, are of 

 great extent and magnitude, and must have been collected by the winds and' storms 

 to which they are constantly exposed : during the winter the whole soil is frequently 

 moved so as completely to alter the surface of the country ; a great number of the 

 pupas must consequently be destroyed or buried at a great depth below the surface, 

 where probably they lie hid until they are brought to life and light by the influence 

 of the elements." Curtis, Brit. Ent. pi. 3. ; and see, for further details concerning 

 this insect, the Entomological Magazine, No. 9, in illustration of two beautiful plates 

 figuring the entire history of the insect, by Mr. Raddon himself. In the following 

 number of the same work Mr. Raddon has supplied some additional particulars rela- 

 tive to the same insect, shewing its occasional rarity or abundance. Thus in 1814 he 

 would not capture any of the caterpillars which were not full-fed ; and after one day's 

 pursuit, having forgotten to take any food for his caterpillars, and it being nearly dusk, 

 he cut an arm-full of the spurge, and at night put it in water ; the next morning, on 

 going to feed his larvas, he found the food covered with, he thinks, not less than a 

 hundred minute larvae, not above a day or two old. Since that period the surface of 

 the valley in which the insects were found, has been completely altered by the action 

 of the winds, and the insect has become almost extirpated. 



Deilephila Galii is a much rarer insect than the former, but numerous instances 

 of its capture are recorded by Stephens, and also in the Entomological Mao-azine, 

 No. 9, p. 434, 435; No. 13, p. 285 ; No. 14, p. 409, 410, 415 ; and No. 16, p! 83. 



HIPPARCHIA SEMELE. 



THE GRAYLING [OR ROCK UNDERWING] 

 BUTTERFLY. 



Plate XLIV. fig. d— e. 



Synonyms. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Semele, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii, p. 777 . Lewins Papil. pi. 1/. 

 Donov. Brit. Ins. vol. viii. pi. 259. ?. 

 Hipparchia Semele, Ochsenheimer, Stephens, Curtis. Duncan Brit. Butt. pi. 22. fig. 1. 2. 

 The Rock Underwing Butterfly, Wilkes" 1 Designs, pi. 5. fig. 4. 



Papilio Oculis, &c. The Tunbridge Grayling, Petiv. Pap. v. fig. 3. 9. Ibid. pi. v. fig. 

 4. $ . (The Brown Tunbridge Grayling.) 



M 



