BURNISHED-BRASS MOTH. 
241 
colour, but variable in the tint; the green sometimes 
predominating, at other times the yellow; and a 
second of a similar colour behind the middle, placed 
obliquely, and frequently united to the other by an 
oblong patch on the inner margin. Near the apex 
there is a transverse line of deep broivn, and the 
nervures are likewise of that colour. Posterior 
wings dusky-brown, the fringe of both pairs red- 
dish-brown. Head and thorax yellowish, the latter 
bro^vnish-grey on the sides ; abdomen brown, tinged 
with yellow, the hairs on the sides and hinder 
extremity inclining to rust -red. 
The caterpillar, which feeds on a variety of com- 
mon plants, is green, with a longitudinal white line 
on the sides, and oblique streaks of the same colour 
on the back. The moth frequents lanes, the rank 
vegetation fonnd among rubbish, &c. and is very 
common in the vicinity of London and other places 
in the south of England. It becomes scarce in the 
north, and is not frequently observed in Scotland, 
although occurring at times in the southern counties, 
as we have seen examples from Roxburghshire, 
Dumfries-shire, Peebles, &c. 
Q 
