146 ORDER III. Phalena; 



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The Phalcena Gamma alone has twelve. 



Moft of the Geometry have ten. 



Thofe of all the different families have fix 

 feet at the bread, or fore-part of the body, ex- 

 cept the Vinula^ Furca^ Lacertina> and a few 

 others ; the chief difference, therefore, lies in 

 the abdominal feet, which are either eight, fix, 

 four, or two, in number, or are entirely 

 wanting. 



The caterpillars of the Geometra have fix 

 peroral or fore feet, two tail, or hind feet, two 

 others, a little before the tail, and want the ab- 

 dominal ones, which makes them refemble 

 Leaches in their gait. From the fame circum- 

 ftance, likewife, the name of Geometry has been 

 given to them, becaufe they feem to meafure the 

 ground over which they advance. They reft in an 

 erect pofture, fupported only by the feet fitu- 

 ate under their tail : thofe of fuch of this family 

 as have pectinated antenna?, refemble fo much 

 the branches of the plants upon which they 

 feed, as not to be eafily diftinguifhed from them. 

 This refemblance, without doubt, contributes 

 very much to preferve them from the voracity 

 of the different birds which prey upon them. 



Th* 



