HESPERIDjE. 
109 
below tbe middle size, and no way distinguished 
for beauty of colouring or variety of markings. 
In these respects, indeed, such a general similarity 
prevails, that in several instances the greatest difiB- 
culty is experienced in determining the species, and 
much complexity and confusion is consequently to 
be found in their synonymy. They formed a part 
of the fifth great section into which Linne divided 
the diurnal lepidoptera, and were distin ' hed in 
his system by the appellation of Pleleii licolce. 
The head and thorax are very large and robust, and 
the wings are thick and strong. The caterpillars 
of many of the species are imperfectly knonm. 
Some of them protect themselves by rolling together 
the leaves on which they feed, in a manner similar 
to that practised by the leaf-rolling caterpillars of 
certain moths. The chrysalides are without any 
eminence except at the head, which is notched or 
acuminated, and they are enclosed in a web of loose 
texture. 
