68 PLATE CLXIII. 



That die Phalaena Difparwas not uncommonly fcarce about fifteen 

 years ago, is evident from this circumftance, few collections of 

 Britifh infefts, that were in the hands of eminent collector^ are 

 without an Englifh fpecimen, which was procured about that time; 

 and Harris, in 1775, as well as fome other writers about the fame 

 period, fpeak confidently of its being found in this country. Berken- 

 hout, in his Synopfis, fays, it is "frequent about Ealing, in Middle. 

 fex." But this we can, on the beft authority, difpute ; it never was 

 frequent in that place, though it has feveral times been met with, by 

 collectors of infefts ; a parcel of eggs being obtained from them, 

 and hatching, mariy caterpillars were procured ; and thefe being 

 carefully attended, feveral moths were alfo produced. This is not a 

 very extraordinary circumftance, as many of the rareft infefts may 

 become common, when the eggs, or a brood of caterpillars, can be 

 difcovereo*. 



We are willing to acknowledge, that we have not been more for- 

 tunate in our refearches for the caterpillar or moth of this fpecies, 

 than any others engaged in the fcience of entomology; but we have 

 procured from Germany a colleftion, containing many valuable 

 rarities that have been found in this country at different times; 

 amongfl thefe we have molt, perfeft and finely preferved fpecimens of 

 Phahena Difpar, in its feveral flates, and thefe perfeftly agree with 

 thofe formerly collefted in England. Our Plate contains only one 

 figure of the caterpillar, and that is of the female. The male differs 

 only in being fmaller, and in the fize of the head, which is lefs lit 

 proportion than that of the female. 



In this ihftance, we truft, any apology will be unneceffary, though 

 the" original fpecimens were not found in this country : it mutt be an 

 advantage to the work to contain figures of the rareft infefts ; and 

 mould any of our readers be fo fortunate as to find the caterpillar, they 

 will be abk to determine the fpecies, and the proper food to rear it 

 on; or, if the brood be extinct, the plate will be more interesting, 

 as there cannot remain a doubt of it. having been indigenous in 

 England. 



In 



