62 
THE GEELONG NATTJEALIST. 
it is probable its seasons may be extended for I bad a cocoon of 
tbe common Darala in July, 1897, tbis turned into tbe perfect 
motb on October 6tb, and proved to be a female ; sbe bad fastened 
ber cocoon to tbe top of tbe bottle in wbicb I kept ber ; tbe 
cocoon was not like tbat of D. underlata, and was tbickly corered 
witb sbort bairs like B. lensons botb in sbape and colour, tbe 
male of tbis motb is a buff colour witb two spots on tbe front 
wings and about balf tbe size of tbe female wbose body is a deal: 
tbicker, but ber colour is not so brigbt. 
Motbs belonging to tbe Sub-section — Geometrae. 
Body generally slender; antenae often pectinated in tbe 
males ; wings broad, similarly coloured ; lavse witb ten legs, tbe 
first two pair of pro-legs being undeveloped; species of moderate 
size. Tbe caterpillars of tbis group of motbs in travelling form 
tbemselves into a loop; by raising tbe fore part of tbe body, 
reacbing its full lengtb, taking bold, tben bringing tbe bind part 
up to, and so forming a loop ; tbey take tbeir name from 
Maesurers or Oeometers. One of tbe most curious of tbese is 
tbe caterpillar of tbe Dunce Motb ; it is green, about anincb and 
tbree quarters long, witb tbe bead portion like a dunce's cap ; it 
bas a babit of fixing itself on to a twig or a leaf by its bind 
claspers, tbe rest of tbe body standing straigbt out at an angle of 
about 50 degrees, looking exactly like a green stick witb a pointed 
end. Tbe lavse I found feeding on tbe gum leaves near G-eelong 
in February, 1897 ; I fed it for several days, but it escaped from 
tbe bottle, but I found its cbrysalis later on sweeping tbe room, 
and in about a montb it developed into tbe perfect motb ; tbe 
insect is two incbes across tbe wings, botb pair of wings being 
of a grey colour witb black undulating lines across tbe wings, 
tbese being scalloped around tbe edge, tbeir underside being 
blotcbed witb rosy brown, grey, and black. Tbe scientific name 
of tbe Dunce is Crypsiphona Occultaria (Don). 
Anotber beautiful motb belonging to tbis section is tbe^ 
"Wbite Satin Motb (Thalaina Clara). Tbis motb I bave caugbt in 
tbe Queen's Park close to tbe river, it is about one and a balf 
incbes across tbe wings, wbicb are like wbite satin, tbe fore- 
wings crossed witb bars of brigbt sbiny copper, A second motb 
of tbe same family Thalaina punctilinea ; tbis is also a very 
beautiful motb found in tbis district ; tbere are several species 
of tbe Satin Motb — all lovely creatures. Tbe caterpillars 
(Anderson says) feed on tbe wattle and gum trees, and I would 
advise anyone wbo is making a collection to look up tbe Victorian 
Naturalist and tbe back numbers of the Australasian^ in both 
papers of wbicb be bas given valuable information. 
