PEASE-BLOSSOM MOTH. 23 ? 
narrow, very slightly notched on the hinder margin, 
and furnished, as well as the under -wings, with a 
very long fringe : the anterior tibiae very short, and 
bearing two naked homy spines at the extremity. 
The Larkspur or Pease-blossom Moth expands 
about an inch and a quarter ; the upper -wings -with 
a broad three-lobed band at the base, and a narrow 
one behind the middle, of a purple colour; the 
space betAveen these bands, Avhich is hounded on 
each side by a pale sinuated line, variegated with 
pale rose-colour and purple; the hinder margin 
likewise pale rosy, Avith a black line next the 
fringe ; the latter yeUoAvish-white. The under 
Avings are Avhitish, tinged AA-ith rose-colour behind, 
and having a transverse dusky spot near the middle 
yelloAvish-Avhite. 
The caterpillar is yeUoAv, tinged Avlth lilac on the 
back and belly, Avhere it is likeAvise marked Avith 
numerous rows of black spots ; each side Avith a line 
of rather bright yellow. It feeds on the Avild Lark- 
spur f Delphinium Comolida ), a plant which groAA's 
prettj' abAmdantly in some of the southern counties 
of England, but Avhich is not found in a AA-ild state 
in Scotland. 
“ This charming moth,” says Mr. Curtis, “ is no 
less esteemed for its rarity than for its loA'ely 
colours ; the specimens in Mr Stephen s cabinet, as 
well as those in the British Museum, are from 
Windsor ; and it has once been taken by the late 
Mr. Jones in his garden at Chelsea. Its favourite 
food is the larkspur ; it therefore ought to be met 
