RUBY TIGER-MOTH. 
215 
cell ; or the surface nearly all black, having the 
inner edge only tinged with red ; flange as in the 
anterior wings. The thorax is reddish-brown, the 
abdomen bright carmine-red, with a row of black 
spots on the hack and another on each side. 
The caterpillar is very thickly covered with hairs, 
which vary in colour in different individuals, hut 
are commonly broivn or reddish ; the head and legs 
of a corresponding hue. Scarcely any of our or- 
dinary plants are rejected by it as food. Fabricius 
has remarked of this caterpillar, that when it is 
seen to run over the snow in the winter, it may be 
taken as a sign that the ensuing summer will be 
cold and ungenial; “ Hieme in nive obambulans, 
aestates fligidiores et annonaj caritatem pranun- 
ciat;” a prognostication wiiich the French natu- 
ralist Godart proves not to be infallible, by gravely 
stating the result of his observations to the contrary ; 
and he has actually known a beautiful summer and 
plentiful harvest follow the phenomenon alluded to. 
Of occasional occurrence during the months of 
July and August, in many parts of the country. 
We once found it at Duddingston, near Edinburgh , 
and have seen several specimens which were taken 
in Roxburghshire. The neighbourhood of New- 
castle, York, Darenth Wood, &c. are mentioned 
among its English localities. It has likewise been 
found in Caithness and Sutherland. 
