7^ PLATE LXV. 



FIG. II. III. 

 PHALjENA SEMI-ARGENTELLA. 



Lepidoptera. 



Tinea. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Superior wings gold, with {tripes of filver, inferior wings grey-brown. 



Fig. II. natural fize. Fig. III. magnified appearance. 



Pha. Semi-argentella is without exception one of the moil brilliant 

 little moths we ha*e ; the natural fize is fcarcely fufficient to difplay 

 its fuperior elegance, but when examined by the microfcope, imagi- 

 nation cannot paint a more refplendent objecl, for we inftantly difcover 

 a moft wonderful combination of all the varied fhades of molten filver 

 and burnifhed. gold; its fuperior wings are entirely adorned with plates 

 which exhibit in one view the appearance of thofe coftly metals, but 

 vary with every direction of light ; that which appears gold in one point 

 of fight becoming red, or bright orange, while the fhades which 

 were before of a dark brown, aflumes the refplendence of burnifhed 

 gold ; the thorax glitters with the fame fplendor ; the head, antennae, 

 and even the legs, partake alfo of this rich colouring in fome changes 

 of light; the inferior wings are of a very delicate texture, grey colour, 

 changeable, and though comparatively fmall, are furrounded by a deep 

 fringe, which gives them the appearance of proportion. 



We are unacquainted with the works of any author that contain a 

 figure of this infect, or we might perhaps be enabled to determine 



whether 



