LEPIDOrTERA. 
91 
marked moths—so called from their porcelain-like deli¬ 
cacy of tone—are very common near ponds where duck¬ 
weed and water-lilies grow. One of the readiest 
procurable species in the larval state is the Hydrocampa 
nymph 03 at a, or Brown China-mark. If the under 
surface of the water-lily leaves be examined, there will 
often be seen attached flat cases which, on examination, 
will be found to contain the black-headed larvae. 
The Tortricina includes those moths whose cater¬ 
pillars twist up and fold together the margins of various 
kinds of leaves, or unite them in bundles by means of 
their silken threads. There are about 300 British species. 
Owing to the similarity of colouring and general dull¬ 
ness of marking, the members of this group are less at¬ 
tractive than other Lepidoptera; they are also very 
variable, the species running into as many as twenty or 
thirty varieties. They are generally of a small size, the 
body is short and slender, the fore-wings are broad and 
blunt, and have a peculiar w r ave or curve, so that the 
insect, when at rest, is somewhat bell-shaped. Some 
of the species are eminently destructive. The Vine 
moth (Oenectra pilleriana), which has proved so fearful 
a pest in France, is one of this family. Mr. Stain ton 
found the larva in the seeds of the Stinking Iris, near 
Yentnor, but it is rare. Mr. Duncan gives us a curious 
story in connection with the Vine moth. “ Many years 
ago one of the moths which are so injurious to the vine 
became common in Savoy, and after a year or two the 
caterpillars began to do great mischief. The unfortunate 
farmers applied to the Archbishop, and requested him 
to curse the caterpillars, as they w*ere doing a great deal 
of injury. The Archbishop, being a merciful man, did 
