The natural history of British insects: explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, œconomy, &c. Together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope. The whole illustrated by coloured figures, ... By E. Donovan. [pt.2]

Table of contents

- [titlepage]

- [illustration]

- THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INSECTS.

- PLATE XXXVII. PAPILIO IRIS. EMPEROR OF THE WOODS, OR PURPLE HIGH FLYER. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XXXVIII. CIMEX STAGNORUM. WATER BUG. HEMIPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XXXIX. COCCINELLA. COLEOPTERA.

- FIG. I. and FIG. IV.

- FIG. II. 14. PUNCTATA.

- FIG. III. 6. PUSTALATA.

- FIG V. 7. PUNCTATA. LADY COW, OR LADY BIRD.

- [description]

- PLATE XL. PHALAENA ROSEA. RED ARCHES. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG I. THE LARVA OF THE COCCINELLA 7—PUNCTATA.

- PHALAENA PRASINANA? SCARCE SILVER LINE. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XL.

- FIG. I. VORTICELLA POLYMORPHA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. VORTICELLA ROTATORIA.

- [description]

- FIG. III. TRICHODA LYNCEUS.

- FIG. IV. KERONA PATELLA.

- PLATE XLII.

- FIG. I. ICHNEUMON RAMIDULUS. HYMENOPTERA.

- FIG. II. ICHNEUMON RAPTORIUS.

- [description]

- PLATE XLIII. PAPILIO HYALE. SAFFRON BUTTERFLY. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- MELOE. PROSCARABEUS. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XLIV. THE LARVA OF THE LIBELLULA DEPRESSA.

- [description]

- PLATE XLV. PHALAENA JACOBAEAE. CINNABAR MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XLVI. PHALAENA FESTUCAE. GOLD SPOT MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE XLVII.

- FIG. I. PROTEUS DIFFLUENS.

- FIG. II. TRICHODA BOMBA.

- [description]

- TRICHODA BOMBA.

- PLATE XLVIII.

- FIG. I. TIPULA CROCATA. DIPTERA.

- FIG. II. TIPULA RIVOSA.

- [description]

- PLATE XLIX. ARANEA DIADEMA. WHITE CROSS, SPIDER. APTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE L.

- FIG. I.

- FIG. II.

- FIG. III.

- FIG. IV.

- PLATE LI. PHALAENA PISI. BROOM MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LII. SPHINX TIPULIFORMIS. CURRANT SPHINX. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LIII. SPHINX TIPULIFORMIS. CURRANT SPHINX. CATERPILLAR, CHRYSALIS, and SPHINX of the Natural Size.

- [description]

- PLATE LIV. CICADA. HEMIPTERA.

- FIG. I. CICADA SANGUINOLENTA. * * *

- [description]

- FIG. II. CICADA SPUMARIA. CUCKOW-SPIT INSECT, or FROTH WORM.

- [description]

- FIG. III. CICADA VIRIDIS. * * *

- [description]

- PLATE LV. PAPILIO URTICAE. SMALL TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LVI.

- FIG. I. PYROCHROA COCCINEA .

- [description]

- FIG. II. SILPHA QUADRIPUNCTATA. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LVII.

- FIG. I. PHALAENA LAMDELLA. TINEA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. PHALAENA AURANA. PYRALIS .

- [description]

- FIG. III. PHALAENA APICELLA. TINEA.

- [description]

- PLATE LVIII.

- FIG. I. I. PHALAENA PRUNIELLA. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. PHALAENA MARGINELLA. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. III. PHALAENA PAVONANA. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LIX. FIG. I. PHALAENA PAVONANA MAGNIFIED. FIG. II. PHALAENA PRUNIELLA MAGNIFIED.

- [description]

- PLATE LX. CURCULIO SCROPHULARIAE. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXI. PHALAENA STRAMINEA. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXII. MUSCA ONOPORDINIS? DIPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXIII.

- FIG. I. SILPHA THORACICA. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. III. CASSIDA CRUENTATA. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. IV. SILPHA OBSCURA. COLEOPTERA. SILPHA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXIV.

- FIG. I. CERAMBYX VIOLACEUS. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. III. CERAMBYX HISPIDUS. COLEOPTERA. CERAMBYX.

- [description]

- PLATE LXV.

- FIG. I. PHALAENA INTERROGATIONANA. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. III. PHALAENA SEMI-ARGENTELLA. LEPIDOPTERA. TINEA.

- [description]

- FIG. IV. PHALAENA CURTISELLA. LEPIDOPTERA. TINEA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXVI. BOMBYLIUS MAJOR. HUMBLE-BEE FLY. DIPTERA.

- PLATE LXVII. MELOE VARIEGATUS. SCARCE MELOE. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXVIII.

- FIG. I. II. DYTISCUS MINUTUS. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. III. IV. DYTISCUS FERRUGINEUS. COLEOPTERA. DYTISCUS.

- [description]

- FIG. V. DYTISCUS SULCATUS. COLEOPTERA. DYTISCUS.

- [description]

- PLATE LXIX. PHALAENA RUBI. FOX-COLOURED MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXX.

- FIG. I. SCARABAEUS TESTUDINARIUS. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- FIG. II. SCARABAEUS CONFLAGRATUS. COLEOPTERA. SCARABAEUS.

- [description]

- FIG. III. SCARABAEUS QUADRIMACULATUS. COLEOPTERA. SCARABAEUS.

- [description]

- PLATE LXXI. PHALAENA VILLICA. CREAM-SPOT TYGER MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

- [description]

- PLATE LXXII. CERAMBYX AEDILIS. LONG-HORNED CERAMBYX. COLEOPTERA.

- [description]

- LINNAEAN INDEX TO VOL. II.

- ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO VOL. II.

- ERRATA TO VOL. II.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INSECTS; EXPLAINING THEM IN THEIR SEVERAL STATES, WITH THE PERIODS OF THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS, THEIR FOOD, OECONOMY, &c.

TOGETHER WITH THE HISTORY OF SUCH MINUTE INSECTS AS REQUIRE INVESTIGATION BY THE MICROSCOPE.

THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATED BY COLOURED FIGURES, DESIGNED AND EXECUTED FROM LIVING SPECIMENS.

BY E. DONOVAN.

VOL. II.

LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, And for F. and C. RIVINGTON, No 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.

MDCCXCIII.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BRITISH INSECTS.

PLATE XXXVII. PAPILIO IRIS. EMPEROR OF THE WOODS, OR PURPLE HIGH FLYER. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Papilio.

Antennae clavated. Wings when at rest, erect. Fly by day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings indented; above, purple; darker round the Edges, with seven distinct white Spots on the first Wings; on the second, an irregular broad white Stripe, and a red Eye. Beneath, black, brown, and white.

Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 476. P. cx.

The Papilio Iris is esteemed among the beautiful, and placed with the rare of the English Lepidoptera. The cursory reader may not perceive that superiority, particularly as many of the minute Insects infinitely excel in real beauty and richness of colouring; but the scientific will be ever ready to give it the first place as a British Papilio, and to those a figure of the Caterpillar and Chrysalis will be an acceptable acquisition. It derives the title of Purple High Flyer, as it very rarely descends to the ground; except in some few instances, it has never been taken but in the most elevated situations, and even those instances have been after a strong wind, or heavy rain: The tops of the loftiest forest trees afford it an asylum, and in the Caterpillar and Chrysalis state, it is preserved from the wanton cruelty of man, by the almost inaccessible height of its habitation. They feed on the Sallow, salix caprea, and the Caterpillars are obtained by beating the branches of the tree with a pole twenty or thirty feet in length; it is then but a necessary precaution to cover the ground beneath with large sheets to a certain distance, or the insects which fall, will be lost among the herbage.

It is in Caterpillar about May and June; it passes to the Chrysalis state, and in July or August is a Papilio.

The great difficulty and trouble to rear the Caterpillars, when found; and greater difficulty to take the Fly, has stamped a valuable consideration on it, and particularly so when fine, and a high price is but esteemed an adequate compensation for it if in good preservation. The male is smaller, but more beautiful than the female; the upper side of the wings of the female not being enriched with that vivid change of purple which the male possesses in such an eminent degree; but the underside of the female is far richer in the various teints of colour than the male: they are both beautifully spotted, mottled, and waved with brown, black, white, and orange. The Chrysalis is of a very delicate texture, much resembling thin white paper, and is tinged in several parts with a very lively purple hue which it borrows from the wings of the enclosed insect, and bears the characteristic mark of a Papilio, by being suspended from the tail, with the head downward.

PLATE XXXVIII. CIMEX STAGNORUM. WATER BUG. HEMIPTERA.

Shells or upper Wings semi-crustaceous, not divided by a straight Suture, but incumbent on each other; Beak curved downward.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Cimex Antennae longer than the Thorax. Thorax margined. In each Foot three Joints.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Black, brown, long, slender. Head one third of its whole length. Antennae as long as the Head, and very slender. Eyes minute, prominent. Fore Legs shortest, length half an inch, breadth one third of a line.

Linn. Syst. Nat.

Many species of the Cimex genus differ so materially in their general form, that very nice attention is necessary to discriminate the species which evidently belong to this extensive family. The external appearance of the House, or Scarlet Bug, cannot intimate the connection to the same genus with this slender bodied insect; but so they are arranged by Linnaeus, and so they will appear on a proper inspection of those parts which constitute their generic character.

The present species is common, and may be taken during great part of the warm seasons. We have an Insect of the same genus (Cimex Lacustris) which has frequently attracted notice by the variety and activity of its motions, when sporting on the surface of stagnant pools, or other standing water: It appears to fly, or skim the surface, but its wings are not often expanded, the lightness of its body and length of its legs, permitting it to dart with great velocity in any direction, and when it alights, it causes only a gentle tremulous motion beneath it. Its habits have much affinity to the generality of aquatic insects, and being constantly found on that element, would almost determine it to be of that race; but it is rather amphibious, and very rarely descends beneath the surface. It will at intervals rest for several minutes motionless on the water, its six legs are then expanded, and the tarsi of the feet only touch the surface; but the Cimex Stagnorum is remarkable for the regularity and carefulness of all its actions; it rarely runs, but treads the water, slow, and ever appears to apprehend danger; it frequently pauses suddenly, and if it then perceives any thing disagreeable, retires. Aquatic Insects are generally supplied at several parts of their body with an oily matter that the water cannot penetrate, and the legs of this Insect is apparently possessed of that property.

PLATE XXXIX. COCCINELLA. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae knotted, truncated. Palpi longer than the Antennae; body hemispheric. Shells and Thorax bordered. In each Foot three Joints.

FIG. I. and FIG. IV.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. COCCINELLA 22—PUNCTATA. Head black, Corslet and Shells yellow. The first with five black Spots, the latter with twenty-two. Length 1½ line.

FIG. II. 14. PUNCTATA.

Shells orange, with fourteen black Spots. Head black. Thorax black in the Center, with an orange Margin and a black Spot on each Side.

FIG. III. 6. PUSTALATA.

Head, Thorax, and Shells black, with three red Spots on each Shell. Length 1 ½ line.

FIG V. 7. PUNCTATA. LADY COW, OR LADY BIRD.

Head and Thorax black, Shells red, with seven black Spots; length, three or four lines.

The history of those several insects so nearly resemble each other, that one general account will comprise all that can be said of any of the species. The larva is not unlike the adult insect, though its body js longer and tapering, and it hath no shells to defend it if in danger; its security therefore depends on its feet, which are rather longer, or at least appear longer, than in the after-state; all the species, whether as the larva or the adult, commonly feed on grass, but they as frequently are taken on the plantain, thistle and rose, or any other plant, whether wild or cultivated. They fasten themselves to the leaves of any plant that is near when they enter the Chrysalis state, and its appearance is then as if it were tied to the leaf by threads which pass each other in transverse directions; they remain only a few days in the Chrysalis, as it undergoes but little change. May, June, and July, or later if the weather should prove fine, is the time to find them; many of the species are so numerous in almost every situation, that collectors give little trouble to obtain them, or at least search for such only as are most uncommon.

PLATE XL. PHALAENA ROSEA. RED ARCHES. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Rose colour. On the superior Wings a dark, waved, or arched line, and a row of spots near the margin.

The Caterpillar of this Phalaena feeds on the Oak. Our specimen was taken from an oak at Norwood, July 15. They are not very common, although found, during the month of July, in several parts near London.

FIG I. THE LARVA OF THE COCCINELLA 7—PUNCTATA.

In Plate XXXIX we have represented several species of the Coccinella in their perfect or adult state. Our present figure is the larva of the 7 Punctata, Fig. V. It is a very common Insect; and will feed on almost every kind of vegetable food.

PHALAENA PRASINANA? SCARCE SILVER LINE. LEPIDOPTERA.

Phalaena.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Body and under Wings white, first Wings green, with two oblique arrow lines of pale yellow.

We possess two species of the Green Silver Line; one Phalaena Prasinana, of Linnaeus; the second unknown to that author; but since described in the Species Insectorum of Fabricius. Those two species nearly resemble each other, are both taken from the Oak, and are distinguished only in some few particulars, the Scarce Silver Line has its Superior Wings of a plain pea-green, with two stripes of feint yellow, the Body and inferior Wings are of an immaculate white. But the Common Silver Line is more variegated in its colour, having a dash of a paler hue between each Silver Line, and an orange or crimson border. The Scarce Silver Line is taken in July, in woods.

Note, Fabricius appears to have changed the name of this Insect in his Spec Ins. for in the System Ent•m. he calls the common Silver Line Prasinana, the same as Linnaeus does, which in the Spec he has altered to Fagana.

PLATE XL.

FIG. I. VORTICELLA POLYMORPHA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. A Worm, capable of contracting or extending itself, naked, with rotatory cilia.

Many-shaped Vorticella green, opaque.

It is impossible to describe the various forms those little Insects can assume; and, from the microscope, it is both doubtful and difficult to give a correct figure of it, as the activity of its motions and changes frequently misplace it from the verge of the focus. It is scarcely perceptible to the naked eye, and is generally of a green colour.

FIG. II. VORTICELLA ROTATORIA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Cylindrical Vorticella, with a little foot projecting from the neck; a long tail, furnished with four points.

Of all the species of minute Insects, this Vorticella seems to have engaged the attention of the curious most. Baker has described it under the title of the Wheel Animalculum, and hence it is well known. It is found in gutters, or leaden pipes, in the summer. This Insect possesses one property by no means common to larger animals, or even known of many of the minuter kinds; it lives in the water, but may be kept dry for months; and when again it is immerged in that element, it will regain its life and motion in half an hour.

FIG. III. TRICHODA LYNCEUS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. An invisible, pellucid, hairy Worm.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Nearly square; with a crooked beak. The mouth hairy.

FIG. IV. KERONA PATELLA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. An invisible Worm with horns.

With one valve, orbicular, chrystalline; the fore-part notched; the body lies in the middle of the shell: above and below are hairs or •orns, of different lengths, jutting out beyond the shell, and acting instead of feet and oars.

Müller's Ani. Infus.

PLATE XLII.

FIG. I. ICHNEUMON RAMIDULUS. HYMENOPTERA.

Wings four; generally membraneous. Tail of the females armed with a sting.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Ichneumon. Jaws, without tongue. Antennae of more than 30 joints, long, filiform, vibrating. Sting within a bivalve sheath.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Tawny brown. Thorax beneath, and extremity of the abdomen, black. Abdomen curved and compressed.

FIG. II. ICHNEUMON RAPTORIUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head, thorax, and extremity of the abdomen black; center spot of yellow on the thorax; and two first divisions of the abdomen bright roange. Legs black and brown.

Ichneumons are the most voracious of all the winged Insects;—in their nature, robust and powerful, and armed with a formidable sting; they are the dread, and destroyer of other tribes, and mortal enemies to each other; like the animal [*] whence their significant appellation is derived, they exist by rapine and plunder, and support their infant offspring on the vitals of larger Insects.

The female Ichneumon, when ready to lay her eggs, is seen eagerly rushing from one plant to another, if its prey offers, which is generally the Larva of the Phalaena, Papilio, &c. it darts down with the ferocity of an eagle, and grasps the tender body in its claws; it is now in vain that the unwieldy animal attempts resistance, as all its efforts are but the sport of a savage conqueror. For raising the body almost upright, or into the form of a bow, the creature returns it in an instant, and dashes the sting up to the base, in the softest part of the caterpillar's body; this, if undisturbed, it will repeat thirty or forty times, always choosing a fresh spot for every new wound, and often entirely scarifying the Insect. The stung animal refuses to eat, and sometimes its illness terminates in its death, though generally the eggs are matured, and the Insects produced from the living body, so that if it survives its misery, and the wounds heal, the heat of the body ripens the embryos, and the young Ichneumons gnaw, and tear large passages through the body, to complete their delivery. July and August are the Months those species we have described are on the wing.

PLATE XLIII. PAPILIO HYALE. SAFFRON BUTTERFLY. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clavated. Wings, when at rest, erect. Diurnal.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings entire, rounded, deep yellowish orange. On the superior wings a black, and on the inferior wings an orange spot in the center; and a deep irregular border of black on the margin. Antennae and legs yellow. Breadth two inches.—Syst. Ent. 477. 148.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 764. 100.—Fn. Sv. 1040.

The Papilio Hyale has been described by several authors, English and Foreign, and the natural historians of Germany have generally noticed it. Unlike many Insects we have in our country, it is found in every part of Europe, but in greater abundance in Africa and America. Its breadth in England rarely exceeds two inches; but influenced by a warmer climate, they arrive at a higher degree of perfection than in those northern countries, at least they are commonly taken much larger. With us it has ever been esteemed as a rare Insect, though seen this season in Kent in greater plenty than for several years; but as they were probably only an accidental brood, they may again disappear for a considerable time. The Fly is to be taken in autumn, but seldom after August.

Our Figure is of the male;—the female has several irregular yellow spots on the black borders.

MELOE. PROSCARABEUS. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae globular, the last globule oval. Thorax roundish. Shells soft. Head gibbous, and bent downwards.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Blue, black. No wings. Shells short. Abdomen long. Antennae thickest in the middle. Head broad. Thorax narrower than the head, and without margin. Length 1¼ inch.—Syst. Ent. 259. 1. —Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 679. 1.—Fn. Sv. 826.

It is by no means for the beauty, but singularity of this creature that we have given it a place in our present selection. If it is too perfect for the larva of an Insect, it certainly appears too imperfect for the adult state; it has shells, but cannot fly, and their length compared with the proportion of the body contributes much to its awkward appearance. It is very quick-sighted, and runs with swiftness when in danger. After death the body is considerably contracted, and the native brilliancy of colour it possessed while living immediately vanishes. When touched, a brown liquor oozes from the sides.

We have several species of the Meloe differing in size, colour, and proportion; the Meloe Proscarabeus is the most common, at least near London. It feeds under the surface of the ground, on the tender fibrils of plants, and prefers the light earth of the flower-garden for its devastation. May be taken in May or June.

PLATE XLIV. THE LARVA OF THE LIBELLULA DEPRESSA.

In Plate 24 of this work we have represented the LIBELLULA DEPRESSA in the winged state, and our present Figure is, of the Larva of that Insect. We have before described it as a savage voracious creature in every state of its existence. The Larva, which is an aquatic, feeds on Insects of that element; and when it becomes adult, Moths, Butterflies, and other winged Insects are its prey. As Lepidopterous Insects are not provided with any weapons, defensive or offensive, it will encounter the largest, grasp them in its claws, and tear them to pieces. Its mouth is spacious, and well adapted for that purpose.

The Larvae of most winged Insects pass to the Aurelia, or Chrysalis state, and thence produce the Fly; but the Larvae of the Libellulae never undergoes that change, and though its appearance is altered several times in its progress to perfection, it does not become dormant. When the ultimate period of its last change arrives, it crawls to the bank, or side of the ditch, and affixing its legs firmly to the ground, or grass, it collects all its strength, and by one violent effort the future between the Thorax and Abdomen is broken, whence the Head and Thorax is protruded; after some pause the exuvia is cast off, and the Wings, which were before enwrapped in the short cases at the bottom of the Thorax, expand. The creature now entirely formed for flight, only waits a short time to exhale the superfluous moisture, and then rushes into the air, to spread havoc and disorder.

PLATE XLV. PHALAENA JACOBAEAE. CINNABAR MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. PHALAENA. Spiral Trunk; Back smooth, without Crest.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae and body black. First Wings dark olive, with longitudinal red line near the anterior margin, and two red spots near the exterior. Second Wings red, with a black margin.—Syst. Ent. 588. 113.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 839. 111.—Fn. Sv. 1155.

As the Rag-wort grows spontaneously in almost every part of the country, the yearly increase of the Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars is generally considerable; and though many must inevitably perish before they arrive at perfection, the Fly may always be found in plenty in June, the Caterpillars in July and August.

PLATE XLVI. PHALAENA FESTUCAE. GOLD SPOT MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Spiral Trunk; Back smooth, without Crest.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. First Wings brown, with two gold-silver spots on each. Second Wings and Abdomen pale brown. Head. Antennae and Thorax bright orange brown.—Syst. Ent. 607. 71.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 845. 131.—Fn. Sv. 1170.—Degeer Ins. Vers. Germ. 2. 1. 312. 3.—Albin. Ins. Tab. 84. Fig G. H.—Wilks Pap. 8. Tab. 1. a. 17.—Acta Holm. 1748. Tab. 6. Fig. 3. 4.— Kleman. Ins. 1. Tab. 30. Fig. A.

The Caterpillars which are smooth, and of a plain green colour, are found on such plants as grow in ditches, or fenny situations.—The Sisymbrium Nasturtium, Water Cress, is its common food, but it will devour with avidity most aquatic vegetables, particularly the Festuca Fluitans, Floating Fescue Grass. It is esteemed one of the rarest Species of Phalaenae we have in this country, its elegant form and rich colouring determines it also one of the most beautiful. Near London it has been sought with most success in the Battersea Fields, or on those banks which abound with aquatic plants, between Battersea and Richmond; the marshes in the vicinity of Deptford and Rotherhithe have been yet more productive; we do not •owever understand that any have been taken this season about the metropolis.

The very singular manner in which this Caterpillar constructs its web, deserves particular notice: previous to its transformation from the Larva to the Aurelia, it quits the tender plants which afford nourishment, and retires to those, better calculated for its protection, in its defenceless state; its choice is generally the Scirpus Lacustris (Bull Rush), or the stoutest plant that is near, if its leaves are rushy and strong. Its first process is to make a deep incision across the leaf, which it effects with little labour, as its mouth is well armed for the purpose; the upper part of the leaf being thus deprived of its support, instantly becomes dependent; the Caterpillar embraces the two surfaces of the fractured leaf, and weaves its web between. The web is of an exquisite texture and whiteness, and bears great resemblance to the webs of some spiders that frequent watery places.

The Caterpillars are found in June and July, the Fly in August.

PLATE XLVII.

FIG. I. PROTEUS DIFFLUENS.

GENERIC CHARACTER. An invisible, very simple, pellucid Worm, of a variable form.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Proteus, branching itself out in a variety of directions.

FIG. II. TRICHODA BOMBA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. An invisible, pellucid, hairy worm.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Changeable, with a few hairs dispersed on the fore part.

Müller's Ani. Inf.

Proteus Diffluens, under some of its changes appears rather a shapeless mass, than an animated body; it consists of gelatinous, pellucid substance, replete with dark coloured molecules, which either direct or attend, the internal exertions and actions of the animalculum; it pushes forth branches of various shapes.

Is found in fenny situations, but very rare; the author of the Animacula Infusoria, observed it only twice.

TRICHODA BOMBA.

Inconstant as the former, and nearly as difficult to define; it is sometimes spherical, immediately after it will become oval, Kidney shaped, &c. It is very lively, and darts with much velocity; is thick, pellucid, and of a clay colour, or brighter.

PLATE XLVIII.

FIG. I. TIPULA CROCATA. DIPTERA.

Wings two.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Head long. Palpi 4, curved. Trunk very short.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Black spotted with yellow. Legs tawny, with black feet, and a black ring round the posterior thighs. Wings tawny, with a marginal brown spot.

- Syst. Ent. 748. 5.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 971. 4.— Fn. Sv. 1739.

- Geoff. Ins. 2. 553. 7. Tab. 19. Fig. 1.

- Degeer Ins. 6. 349. 10.

- Raj. Ins. 72. 4.

- Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 126. Fig. 4.

- Scop. carn. 845.

FIG. II. TIPULA RIVOSA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Brown-grey. Eyes black. Antennae feathered. Wings larger than the body, with three brown patches near the margin. Tail of the female bifid. Length one inch.

- Syst. Ent. 748. 2.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 971. 2.— Fn. Sv. 1738.

- Geoff. Ins. 2. 554. 2.

- Degeer. Ins. 6. 341. 2. Tab. 19. Fig. 1.

- Raj. Ins. 72. 2.

- Scop. carn. 846.

- Acta Holm. 1739. Tab. 9. Fig. 8.

- Sulz. Ins. Tab. 20. Fig. 128.

The Genus Tipula, comprises an extensive family of the Dipterous Order, or of such Insects as are furnished with two Wings only. Our largest Species are Tip. Rivosa, Crocata, Lunata, &c. the most common is T. Oleracea, generally known by the trivial appellations, Long Legs, Old Father, &c. It is, as are also the other Species, perfectly harmless and inoffensive; yet their singular form, and more particularly the extraordinary disproportion of their legs, operates frequently to their disadvantage with the ignorant, who readily suppose they have to avoid, the secreted sting, of whatever appears aukward or uncommon.

Our smaller Species are infinitely more numerous, and many of them are not described, being so very minute as to remain unnoticed. The Tipula Plumosa, Plate XXII, differs materially in its general appearance from the larger kinds.

We rarely find a specimen of the larger kinds of Tipula with the legs complete; the loss of one or two of those members do not materially retard the briskness of its motions, but it cannot fly after suffering a total amputation, though it will then live a considerable time.

The Tipula Rivosa being entangled by two of its legs in the snare of a large spider [ARANEA DIADEMA], at first endeavoured to disengage them by force, but this rather added to its calamity, and a third leg was attracted by the glutinous matter on the threads; the spider approached, and the creature accelerated its escape by leaving its legs in the web. It is very common to observe the broken limbs of the Tipulae in the snares of this species of spider.

The Larvae of many Tipulae, more especially the very minute sorts, are found in standing water, but the larger, generally feed on the roots of grass, and may be found by turning up the light surface of the earth. The Tipula Rivosa is taken in May and June, the Tipula Crocata in June and July; the latter is observed in the flower-garden or orchard.

PLATE XLIX. ARANEA DIADEMA. WHITE CROSS, SPIDER. APTERA.

No wings.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Legs eight. Eyes eight.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Abdomen gibbous, red-brown, with white spots in the form of a cross.

- Syst. Ent. 434. 13.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 1030. 1. —Fn. Sv. 1993.

- ARANEA cruciger.—Degeer. Ins. 7. 218. 1. Tab. 11. Fig. 3.

- ARANEA Linnaei.—Scop. carn. 1077.

- Mouff. Ins. 233. Fig. 1.

- Aldrov. Ins. 608. Fig. 9.

- Tonst. Ins. Tab. 18. Fig. 17. 19. 20.

- Raj. Ins. 18. 2.

- List. Aran. Fig. 2.

- Frisch. Ins. 7. Tab. 4.

- Clerk. Aran. Tab. 21. Fig. 2.

- Schaeff. Elem. Tab. 21. Fig. 2.

- — Icon. Tab. 19. Fig. 9.

The Genus Aranea includes a vast, if not endless variety of species, and though the greatest dissimilarity may be observed as to size, proportion, or colouring, of many individual kinds, yet the rapaciousness common to the family, is apparent in all. Our domestic Spiders are plain in their colours, and seldom attain a very extraordinary size; the gardens are infested by species somewhat larger, and more lively in their marks and teints, but if we wish to trace the just gradations of the beauty, or size, of those detestable creatures, the forests abound; and will afford the highest gratification to the enquiries of the naturalist. We have Spiders purely white, or white stained with a lovely green; yellow, marked with a vivid red; purples shaded with the richest hues, and the brightest browns, bespangled with the utmost elegance and symmetry: Yet under those rich adornments which nature has so profusely bestowed on this complication of beauty, and ferocity, we discover inherent qualities, which, in larger animals, would become formidable, and though we feel confident of our superiority over the insidious art of such a contemptible creature, yet the mind is susceptible of an inward abhorrence at its touch, which neither the expansion of philosophy, or ignorance of its disposition, will sometimes suppress. It is probable, that Thomson, in his description of the Spider, felt this sympathy of the human mind,

"—To heedless flies the window proves

A constant death; where, gloomily retired,

The villain Spider lives, cunning and fierce,

Mixture abhorr'd! Amid a mangled heap

Of carcases, in eager watch he sits,

O'er-looking all his waving snares around.

Near the dire cell, the dreadless wanderer oft

Passes, as oft the ruffian shews his front;

The prey at last ensnar'd, he dreadful darts

With rapid glide along the leaning line;

And fixing in the wretch his cruel fangs,

Strikes backward grimly pleas'd: the flutt'ring wing,

And shriller found declare extreme distress,

And ask the helping hospitable hand."

Early in the spring we find the nests of Spiders in the crevices of old walls, trees, and other obscure places. They are enclosed in webs of a white, yellow, or grey colour, varying according to the species; immediately that the warmth of the sun has hatched them, they disperse, it being no longer necessary to live in societies, which indeed, would deprive some of their subsistence.

In February we took a nest of minute yellowish eggs, which proved to be the infant offspring of the A. Diadema, they scarcely exceeded the size of a pin's head when hatched, and were of a bright yellow colour; at first their food was the common house fly, but their increase in bulk was so rapid that it was necessary to destroy many, to preserve a few; we therefore selected four specimens, which being fed in separate glasses, and on different insects, exhibited each a distinct degree of strength, and colour. One specimen destroyed thirty of the common house fly in a day; it then appeared much enlarged, and the colours were almost black, except the spots of white, which sparkled with infinite lustre; but being confined a week without a fresh supply, its colours were considerably faded; another week of abstinence reduced its colours to a pale uniform brown, the body was much wasted, and the creature became perfectly ravenous. It devoured a vast quantity of food, and recovered much of its former colours a few hours after.

Our largest Spiders are incomparable for their size, or venomous qualities, to the productions of America, or of the eastern countries; in Germany they are far superior in size to our specimens, but in Surinam they are infinitely surpassed, Spiders of those parts being often found with legs as thick as a goose-quill, and three or four inches in length, which with difficulty support a body as large as a pullet's egg. Their snares are commonly extended from one branch of a tree to another, covering the space of twenty or thirty feet, and is sufficiently strong to entangle the largest insects. A. Seba has figured a Spider of this description, as descending from an arm of a tree, into the nest of a small species of Humming Bird, to suck the blood of the parent, and eggs.

"The eyes of the Spider are a very beautiful microscopic object, viewed either as transparent or opake; they have generally eight, two on the top of the head, that look directly upwards; two in the front, a little below the foregoing, to discover what passes before it; and on each side a couple more, one whereof points sideways forward, the other sideways backward; so that it can see almost all around it. They are immoveable, and seem to be formed of a hard, transparent, horny substance. The number of eyes is not the same in all the species of the Spider. They have eight legs, with six joints, thickly beset with hairs, and terminating in two crooked moveable claws, which have little teeth like a saw; at a small distance from these claws, but placed higher up, is another, somewhat like a cock's spur, by the assistance of which it adheres to it's webs; but the weapon wherewith it seizes and kills its prey is a pair of sharp crooked claws, or forceps, placed in the fore-part of the head. They can open or extend these pincers as occasion may require; when undisturbed they suffer them to lie one upon another. Mr. Lewenhoeck says, that each of these claws has a small aperture, or slit, through which he supposes a poisonous juice is injected into the wound it makes.

"The exuvia of the Spider, which may be found in cobwebs, being transparent, is an excellent object; and the fangs, or forceps, may be easier separated from it, and examined with more exactness than in a living Spider. The contexture of the Spider's web, and their manner of weaving them, have been discovered by the microscope. The Spider is supplied with a large quantity of glutinous matter within it's body, and five dugs, or teats, for spinning it into thread. This substance, when examined accurately, will be found twisted into many coils, of an agate colour, and which, from its tenacity, may be easily drawn out into threads. The five teats are placed near the extremity of its tail; from these the aforesaid substance proceeds; it adheres to any thing it is pressed against, and being drawn out, hardens in the air. The Spider can contract or dilate at pleasure the orifices through which the threads are drawn. The threads unite at a small distance from the body, so that those which appear to us so fine and single, are notwithstanding composed of five joined together, and these are many times doubled when the web is in formation."

— The Spider parallels design,

Sure as Du Moivre, without rule or line.

POPE.

PLATE L.

FIG. I.

The head and thorax, natural size.

FIG. II.

A fragment of the head, with the eyes complete, as it appears when examined by the speculum of an opaque microscope, describing the situation of those organs, in this species of Spider.

FIG. III.

One of its fore claws, natural size.

FIG. IV.

The extremity of the claw magnified. Every foot is constructed after this form.

PLATE LI. PHALAENA PISI. BROOM MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings, in general, contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

Noctua.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. First wings red brown, clouded with dark brown, two spots in the centre, and a pale yellow undulated line near the exterior margin. Second wings and abdomen light brown with a broad shade of a greyish colour.

- Syst. Ent. 610. 88.—Lin. Syst. Nat. 2. 854. 172.— Fn. Sv. 1206.—Degeer. Ins. Vers. Germ. 2. 1. 322. 10.

- Raj. Ins. 160. 10.

- Wilks pap. 4. Tab. 1. a. 7.

- Roes. Ins. 1. Phal. 2. Tab. 52.

- Merian. Europ. Tab. 50.

The Caterpillars will devour indiscriminately the leaves of the knot-grass, of pease, the broom, &c. it is from the latter food, the Moth receives its name. The Caterpillars are found in July and August, and descend into the ground late in September or the first week in October, and the Fly comes forth in July.

Caterpillars that enter the earth in the larva form, pass to the chrysalis, and issue forth in the perfect or Fly state, have no occasion for a web to protect them; and therefore few species prepare one. But among those which remain exposed in the open air, a very small proportion neglect to weave a web with the utmost skill and industry; the least attentive to this apparently necessary precaution are the Papiliones, who, often regardless of their situations, are found [in chrysalis] suspended against walls, the trunks, or branches of trees, and even paleings in very public roads.

PLATE LII. SPHINX TIPULIFORMIS. CURRANT SPHINX. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae thickest in the middle. Wings, when at rest, deflexed. Fly slow, morning and evening only.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Wings transparent, with black veins; a bright brown spot at the extreme angle of each superior Wing. Abdomen, bearded; dark purplish black, with yellow bands.

- Syst. Ent. 549. 9.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 804. 32.— Fn. Sv. 1096.

- Clerk. Icon. Tab. 9. Fig. 31.

- Fuesl. Magaz. Tab. 1. Fig. 6.

- Harr. Ins. angl. Tab. 3. Fig. 8.

- SESIA Tipuliformis. Fab. Spec. Ins. Tab. 2. 157.

A very elegant, though common Species of the Sphinx Genus: it is taken in the months June and July. After the Insect dies, the colour of the thorax and abdomen, except the yellow bands, is entirely black, or black with a very faint gloss of a reddish blue: but is an exceedingly brilliant dark purple, while the creature is alive; and the yellow belts on the alternate divisions of the body, glitter in the sunshine with the effulgence of molten gold. The legs are yet more beautiful, as the purple, though paler, is of a livelier lustre; and every joint is deeply fringed with the same golden colour as that on the body. The wings, which are perfectly transparent, except at the apex, are delicately veined, and ribbed with black lines. The fan tail is expanded or contracted at pleasure.

If the creature bursts from it's chrysalis in the morning, it is generally observed sporting among the leaves of the nearest plants about noon; and this is commonly the time the male is seen seeking its mate.

It's very singular appearance before the opaque microscope, induced us to give the magnified figure, together with the Caterpillar, Chrysalis, and Sphinx, of the natural size.

PLATE LIII. SPHINX TIPULIFORMIS. CURRANT SPHINX.
CATERPILLAR, CHRYSALIS, and SPHINX of the Natural Size.

The Female deposits her eggs in the crevices of such twigs as are hollow; and a peculiar instinct almost invariably directs her to the stalks of the currant trees: which are not only easy of access, but afford grateful nourishment to the young brood. Immediately that the Caterpillar is enlarged from the egg, it perforates the stalk, and, having entire possession of the inner channel, it feeds on the soft substance which is abundant within. Thus it is secured by nature, with a defence against many depredators, to which all Caterpillars, except internal feeders, are exposed.

It changes to a Chrysalis within the stalk.

A short time before the Insect bursts forth, the Chrysalis is protruded through the outer bark, precisely in the same manner as the Chrysalis of the Sp. Apiformis (PLATE 25.); and is supported by a similar contrivance, every segment being serrated, or armed, with a row of very minute teeth, which firmly embrace the substance of the stalk, and elevate the Chrysalis in an oblique posture; until the last efforts of the Insect completely disengages it from the case.

The Sp. Tipuliformis is the only Species of the transparent-winged Hawk-Moths, which is common near London; and is the smallest Insect of this division of the genus: the division contains few individual species: but such as are generally very rare; at least the broods appear local in this country. The Currant Sphinx is taken in June.

PLATE LIV. CICADA. HEMIPTERA.

Shells, or upper wings, semi-crustaceous, not divided by a straight future, but incumbent on each other. Beak curved downward.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper. Shells membraneous. In each foot three joints. Hind legs strong for leaping.

FIG. I. CICADA SANGUINOLENTA. * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Black. Three red spots on each shell.

- Syst. Ent. 688. 2.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 708. 22.

- Geoff. Ins. 1. 418. Tab. 8. Fig. 5.

- Naturf. 6. Tab. 2.

- Scop. carn. 330.

- Fuesly. Ins. Helv. 24. 456.

- CERCOPIS Sanguinolenta. Fab. Spec. Ins. t. 2. 329.

The most beautiful of the Cicadae which inhabit this country; and rare with us, though common to many parts of Europe. It is peculiar to the chalky and sandy soils of Dartford, and some more distant places. It is taken in June and July.

FIG. II. CICADA SPUMARIA. CUCKOW-SPIT INSECT, or FROTH WORM.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Brown. Beneath lighter. Shells with two imperfect white belts, or long transverse spots, inferior wings pale.

- Syst. Ent. 688. 5.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 708. 24. Fn. Sv. 881.

- Cicada fusca, fascia duplici albida interrupta transversa.—Geoff. Ins. 1. 415. 2.

- Cicada Spumaria Graminis fusca, alis superioribus maculis albis.—Degeer Ins. 3. 163. 1. Tab. 11. Fig. 1—21.

- Locusta pulex Swammerdamii, nobis Cicadula.— Raj. Ins. 67.

- Ranatra bicolor, capite nigricante.—Petiv. Gazoph. Tab. 61. Fig. 9.

- Cicada fusca alis superioribus maculis albis, in spuma quadam vivens.—Degeer Acta Holm. 1741. 221.

- Vermes spumans.—Frisch. Ins. 8. 26. Tab. 12.

- Locusta germanica.—Roes. Ins. 2.—Gryll. Tab. 23.

- Sulz. Ins. Tab. 10. Fig. 64.

- Schaeff. Elem. Tab. 42.

- Fuesly. Ins. Helv. 450.

- CERCOPIS spumaria.—Fab. Spec. Ins. tom 2. 329.

Cicada Spumaria is not only common in this country, but is abundant in every part of Europe. It frequents most plants, but those especially which exhale much moisture. The food of the Larva appears entirely of the vegetable kind, and consists, for the most part, of the superabundant fluids which all plants transpire.

"The CUCKOW-SPIT, or FROTH-WORM, is often found hid in that frothy matter which we find on the surface of plants. It has an oblong, obtuse body; and a large head, with small eyes. The external Wings, for it hath four, are of a dusky brown colour, marked with two white spots: the head is black. The spume in which it is found wallowing, is all of its own formation, and very much resembles frothy spittle. It proceeds from the vent of the animal, and other parts of the body; and, if it be wiped away, a new quantity will be quickly seen ejected from the little animal's body. Within this spume, it is seen in time to acquire four tubercles on its back, wherein the wings are enclosed: these bursting, from a reptile it becomes a winged animal."

The colour of the winged Insect is found to vary from a deep chocolate, to a very pale brown. It is taken in July and August.

It rarely uses its wings for flight, as the hind legs are formed for leaping; at one effort it will frequently bound to the distance of two or three yards.

FIG. III. CICADA VIRIDIS. * * *

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head yellow, with two black spots. On the target two black dots. Superior Wings green, with a yellowish border. Inferior Wings pale. Body blue. Legs yellowish.

- Syst. Ent. 2. 685. 21.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 711. 46. Fn. Sv. 896.

- Locusta pulex paullo minor.—Raj. Ins. 68. 3.

- Ranatra viridescens. — Petiv. Gazoph. 73. Tab. 76. Fig. 6.— Geoff. Ins. 1. 417. 5. Fuesly. Ins. Helv. 24. 465.

- CICADA Viridis.—Fab. Spec. Ins. t. 2. 326.

A species not uncommon, but less plentiful than the C. Spumaria. It is found in July and August, on aquatic plants; generally on the high rushes which abound in marshy places.

PLATE LV. PAPILIO URTICAE. SMALL TORTOISE-SHELL BUTTERFLY. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clavated. Wings, when at rest, erect. Fly by day.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Deep orange. Wings considerably indented. Above, on the superior Wings, six black and two whitish spots. Inferior Wings, one large spot on each. A broad exterior black border, edged with black and yellow, and a row of light blue spots on each Wing. Underside, black-brown with waves and dashes of yellow, brown, &c.

Syst. Ent. 505. 263.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 777. 167. —Fn. Sv. 1058.—Geoff. Ins. 2. 37. 4.

Papilio urticaria vulgatissima, rufo nigro coeruleo et albo coloribus varia. Raj. Ins. 117. 1.

- Robert. Icon. Tab. 5.

- Huffn. Pict. 2. Fig. 16.

- Merian. Europ. 44. Tab. 44.

- Albin. Ins. Tab. 4. Fig. 51.

- Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 142. Fig. 1. 2.

- Goed. Ins. 3. Tab. 3.

- — &c. &c.

A very beautiful species of the Papilio; and, were it less frequent, would be infinitely esteemed for the elegant combination of its colours; but is at present little regarded. The old Flies are observed in May, the Caterpillars are hatched about the middle of June; in July they are full fed, and cast their last exuviae: they transform into Chrysalis, in which state they remain only fifteen days, and then burst forth a Papilio.

They continue to breed in vast quantities during the warm weather; and have, if the season be favourable, several broods before the winter.

The Chrysalis is brown, but often assumes much of a golden hue; and, though not its common appearance, is sometimes seen entirely of a rich gilded, or gold colour; but this is unnatural, and generally indicates that the Caterpillar has been stung by the Ichneumon Fly. The Caterpillars are taken on the Nettle [*].

PLATE LVI.

FIG. I. PYROCHROA COCCINEA [*].

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Beneath, Legs and Antennae black. Head, Thorax and Shells bright red, inclining to brown.

The above Insect which Fabricius has, after that celebrated French Naturalist Geoffroy, made a new genus, under the title Pyrochroa [*], has in general been considered by the Collectors of Insects as the Cantharis Sanguinolentae of Linnaeus; but this cannot be the case, as the descriptions by no means corresponds; nor is it the Lampyris Coccinea of that author, as quoted by Fabricius; we are therefore inclined to think, that notwithstanding it is so plenty with us, it was unknown to the Swedish Naturalist at the time he wrote; especially as the specimen was not contained in his cabinet.

It is very common in England, in July.

FIG. II. SILPHA QUADRIPUNCTATA. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clavated, foliated. Head prominent. Thorax margined.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head, Antennae, and Legs black. Thorax yellow, with a large spot of black. Shells yellow, with four small black spots. Length half an inch.

Appears local to certain parts of this kingdom: is sometimes taken by beating the Oaks in Caen-wood, near Hampstead, in July; it is, however, rare.

PLATE LVII.

FIG. I. PHALAENA LAMDELLA. TINEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior Wings bright yellow brown, with a triangular dark spot, extended obliquely from the inferior margin, to the center of the Wing, and terminated by a minute detached spot of the same colour.

A non-descript, and has hitherto only been taken on Epping-forest: the brood was discovered in a furze-bush, by Mr. Bentley, an eminent Collector of Insects, in July 1789; the Cabinets of several Naturalists have been supplied from the parcel then taken, as the Species has rarely been observed since.

We prefer the name Lamdella, as the form of the Greek Lamda (λ) is well characterized, on the superior Wings.

FIG. II. PHALAENA AURANA. PYRALIS [*].

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior Wings brown, with two orange spots on each; inferior Wings brown.

Syst. Ent. 653. 48.—Fabri. Spec. Ins. 11. 286. 66.

An elegant Species of the minuter kinds of Lepidopterous Insects: it derives its name from the spots of bright orange, or gold colour, which are on the superior wings: is very rare: our specimen was taken in Kent, late in July; it appears peculiar to that county only, or is certainly very unfrequently, if ever, found elsewhere.

Larva unknown.

FIG. III. PHALAENA APICELLA. TINEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Grey. A circular spot of gold, or orange colour, at the apex of each superior Wing.

Non-descript, and is also very rare. Our specimen was procured by beating a White thorn-bush, on Epping-forest, early in May.

The orange spot on the ends of the upper wings afford the most striking distinction for a Specific Character; we therefore denominate it Apicella.

WISHING to comprise such information as may recommend our Work, to a general Class of Readers, we are absolutely compelled to deviate from that uniform path which we at first intended to pursue; by introducing the figures of some Moths before we can procure their larva; we promise this will rarely occur, except with Insects whose larva are unknown; and the Author will spare no expence, or trouble, to attain even those: but, were he to refuse a place to the many valuable specimens recently discovered, it would be very displeasing to the greater part of his Subscribers; therefore, as an invariable observance of such intention, promises only to exclude the most rare of our Insects, we cannot always indulge it: on this plan, in the first Volume we could neither have represented the Phal. Batis, Peach Blossom, as the larva has only once been found; or the Phal. Christernana, whose larva is unknown[*]: These are Insects which few Cabinets in England possess; hence the figures must be very acceptable, and their rarity a sufficient apology for their premature introduction.

PLATE LVIII.

FIG. I. I. PHALAENA PRUNIELLA. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. PHALAENA. Antennae taper from the base. Wings, in general, contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

TINEA. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior wings brown, inclining to purple; from the interior margin is extended a broad white dash along the posterior margin, nearly two thirds of its length; but is interrupted near the extremity by a square spot of dark brown. Inferior wings grey. Head and thorax white. Abdomen grey.

We have copied the name Pruniella, from that celebrated work of Clerk, said to be executed under the immediate inspection of Linnaeus himself: He has figured it in the 11th Plate, Fig. 4. But the great scarcity of that work, there not being twelve copies in this country, can have contributed in a very small measure to its being generally known; which indeed is the fact, as it does not appear any writer since that time has figured, or even described it. Some were, perhaps, ignorant of its having been figured in Clerk's Plates, which however, could not have been the case with Linnaeus; but we cannot find that he has described it, or referred to Clerk's figure in any part of his works; though a copy of that book came over with the Linnaean collection, into the hands of Dr. Smith; nor can we trace any description of this moth in the writings of Fabricius; he also has not quoted the figure: We may hence conclude that although the insect is frequent in the months of June and July, it is little known, except with those who possess collections; and even many of that description are perhaps unacquainted with the circumstance of its having been named by Clerk, and probably by no other author.

Taken at Highgate.

FIG. II. PHALAENA MARGINELLA. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. PHALAENA. TINEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. First wings bright, pale brown, with a broad white margin. Second wings white.

Our present species was unknown to Linnaeus; but according to his definition of genera, is one of the tineae; it will be necessary, however, to distinguish it from the tinea marginella of Fabricius, which is a native of Germany, and altogether different; that writer, it is well known, divided many of the genera of Linnaeus, and from their materials constituted an infinitely greater number; it was by such divisions he separated the tineae, into the genera, tineae and alucitae, removing the alucitae [*] of Linnaeus under the title of Pterophorus.

He therefore uses the specific name marginella to his tinea and alucita. Our specimen is described by him, under the name Alucita marginella. It is found on the juniper in May.

Taken at Dartford.

FIG. III. PHALAENA PAVONANA. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. PHALAENA. TORTRIX.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior wings clouded with black and buff-coloured markings, and a very minute representation of a peacock's feather at the apex. A dorsal spot of bright brown, surrounded with a deep black mark. Inferior wings grey brown, with the eye of the peacock's feather at the apex.

This singular Tortrix, which abounds with beautiful markings, is particularly distinguished by the elegantly little mark at the apex of the upper wings, which appears like the feather of a peacock's tail: the serruginous dorsal spot, surrounded with a thick black mark, although pretty, is by no means peculiar to this species, being common to several other minute moths: the clouded markings of black and buff-colour, interspersed with silver, give this little animal a beautiful appearance, particularly under the microscope. The under wings have a similar appearance of a peacock's feather, but more obsolete at the apex.

We believe this species has never been described before, and very rarely taken. Our specimen was found in Sussex.—August.

PLATE LIX.
FIG. I. PHALAENA PAVONANA MAGNIFIED.
FIG. II. PHALAENA PRUNIELLA MAGNIFIED.

We cannot select more pleasing objects for microscopical investigation, than those two minute moths, especially the first; the markings appear rather confused without the assistance of glasses, but a lens of a very small power completely developes it of this imaginary obscurity, and displays an elegance sufficient to recommend it to our attention; but independent of such consideration, it will, it is presumed, be considered as a material advantage to the description annexed, to accompany the figure of the natural size with a microscopical representation; not to enforce that such addition is indispensibly necessary, but when moths like the present offer, whose marks, though beautiful, appear confused, it will certainly much assist to its necessary information; as well as in future to determine the species itself.

PLATE LX. CURCULIO SCROPHULARIAE. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae elbowed in the middle, and fixed in the snout, which is prominent and hairy. Joints in each foot four.

*** Long snout. Thighs dentated.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Somewhat spherical. Thorax narrow, beset with yellow-white hairs. Shells black brown, striated; a large black spot on the future, on each side of which are two small spots. Length three lines.

- Syst. Ent. 140. 68.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 614. 61. —Fn. Sv. 603.

- Geoff. Ins. 1. 296. 44.

- Degeer Ins. 5. 208. 3. Tab. 6. Fig. 17. 18. 19. 20.

- List. Scarab. Angl. 395. 35.

- Reaum. Ins. 3. Tab. 2. Fig. 12.

This singular little insects feeds, when in the larva state, on plants of the scrophularia genus, (fig-wort), and thence receives its specific name. The beetle is not uncommon in June, and is usually found on the same plants as the larva: the minuteness of this creature evades a complete discovery of the uncommonly tesselated appearance it assumes before the speculum of an opake microscope; our plate represents the chrysalis and beetle, natural size, together with a considerably magnified figure of the latter.

PLATE LXI. PHALAENA STRAMINEA. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings, in general, contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

NOCTUA. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae and tongue deep yellow. Head and thorax covered with long hairs; which, with the superior wings, are pale yellow, or bright clay colour; in the middle of the superior wing is a kidney-shaped spot of dull grey, enclosed by a dark reddish brown line, which is united to the anterior margin by another spot of the same colour. Near the exterior margin is a broad obsolete band of pale brown, but where it touches the anterior margin it is darker; within this band are nine white spots, or points, and between the band and exterior margin of the wing, on the lower edge, is a bright black point; there are several other reddish brown points scattered upon the upper wing, near the base. The inferior wings are of a yellowish-white, with a shade of purple, a dark spot on the middle, and a pale black, broad border, with a white fringe.

This elegant species of the Noctua division of Moths, appears to be not only a nondescript, but altogether unknown before; even to the best practical entymologists: That an insect of such magnitude should have been unnoticed by Linnaeus, or Fabricius, is not very singular, as several nondescripts of a similar, and many of an inferior, size, are to be seen in almost every cabinet; but that the species should have escaped the researches of the most eminent collectors, is rather astonishing.

We have sought every information which our connection would permit; and from the result we scarcely hesitate to pronounce the insect of a nondescript species, and our specimen to be perfectly unique; at least it is a newly-discovered acquisition to many scientific entymologists.

The original, whence the figure has been copied, is in the collection of the author; it was taken in a lane leading immediately from the wood at Tottenham, the last week in June, 1793. It was discovered in the evening, on a blade of grass; and, from its wet appearance, as well as exquisite preservation, it had certainly just emerged from its chrysalis.

The Caterpillar may be supposed to be an underground feeder, and to subsist on the roots of grass, &c. or one of that kind which comes only above the surface of the earth in the night.

PLATE LXII. MUSCA ONOPORDINIS? DIPTERA.

Wings two.

GENERIC CHARACTER. A soft flexible trunk, with lateral lips at the end. No palpi.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head, thorax, and body, yellow brown. Wings, variegated with brown spots.

- Syst. Ent. 787. 80.

- Fabric. Spec. Ins. 2. 455. 105.

Whether this is the Musca Onopordinis of Linnaeus, as quoted, we cannot exactly determine; it answers to his description of that insect, but he speaks so very concisely, that we will not venture to assure ourselves of his M. Onopordinis being our species. In this and many other instances we find, that though brevity is the greatest excellence of the Linnaean descriptions, it is also their most essential fault.

The species may, with much propriety, stand under the name Onopordinis, as we believe it has never been figured before; and, should the Linnaean species be hereafter discovered to differ from the present, a new name may be readily given to that insect.

Flies in April and May, and is very common in the summer, in woods.

PLATE LXIII.

FIG. I. SILPHA THORACICA. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clavated, foliated. Head prominent. Thorax margined.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Black. Three longitudinal lines on each shell. Thorax red-brown.

- Syst. Ent. 73. 6.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 571. 13.— Fn. Sv. 452.—Stroem. Act. Nidros. 3. Tab. 6. Fig. 1.

- Silpha. Degeer Ins. 4. 174. 3. Tab. 6. Fig. 7.

- Peltis nigra, &c.—Geoff. Ins. 1. 121. 6.

- Scarabaeus.—Raj. Ins. 90. 10.

- Casida nigra, &c.—Gadd. Satag. 25.

- Silpha Thoracea. Scop. carn. 54. Bergstr. Nomencl. 1. 23. 5. Tab. 3. Fig. 5. Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 75. Fig. 4. Sulz. Ins. Tab. 2. Fig. 12.

Taken at Charlton in June. It is a very rare species in every part of this country, though not unfrequent in Germany.

FIG. II. III. CASSIDA CRUENTATA. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae knotted, enlarging towards the ends. Shells and thorax bordered. Head concealed under the corselet.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Bright green above, on each shell near the scutellum a very bright sanguineous mark. Beneath, body and thighs black. Legs and feet light brown.

Is found on verticillated plants and thistles in May.

Although confounded by some with the common Cassida (C. Viridis), it differs very essentially from that insect: it is smaller; of a deeper green colour, and does not fade to a dirty brown after death: but the bright sanguineous marks on the shells are scarcely visible in a dead specimen; the former is very common in May, but our species is rare.

C. Cruentata has never been either described or figured before.

FIG. IV. SILPHA OBSCURA. COLEOPTERA. SILPHA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Entirely black. Shells punctured; with three longitudinal lines on each.

- Syst. Ent. 74. 11.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 572. 18. —Fn. Sv. 457.—Scop. carn. 57.

- CASSIDA. Udm. Diss. 8.

Very frequent in May: breeds in corn-fields and meadows; but is found in many other situations.

PLATE LXIV.

FIG. I. CERAMBYX VIOLACEUS. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae articulated, and tapering to the end. Shells long and narrow. Four joints in each foot. Thorax with lateral spines, or tubercles.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head, thorax, and shells, blue-purple. Legs, and underside black.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 635. 70.—Fn. Sv. 667. Degeer Ins. 5. 88. 24.

- Stenocorus violaceus. Scopol. Ann. Hist. Nat. 597. 59.

- Cantharis, &c. Gadd. Diss. 28. Frisch. Ins. 12. Tab. 3.

- Callidium violaceum. Fab. Spec. Ins. 1. 237. 5.

Is exceedingly rare in England. Our specimens were taken on Epping Forest in June.

It is suspected that this species, although now taken in England, was not originally a native, but by accident has been introduced into this country, from Germany, or some other part of Europe.

An ingenious collector [*] informs us, that those taken at Epping are generally found exactly in the same place, and it is worthy a remark, on the same spot there are three posts of foreign fir, which evidently harbour a quantity of Larvae; probably of this insect, though not yet determined.

Has been taken in different parts of the kingdom, and appears to be naturalized with us at this time.

FIG. II. III. CERAMBYX HISPIDUS. COLEOPTERA. CERAMBYX.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head and thorax spined, brown. Shells, upper half white with cinereous clouds; lower, brown, with longitudinal ridges, and three strong spines on each, next the suture. Antennae longer than the body, black and white alternately.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 627. 30.—Fn. Sv. 651.

- Geoff. Ins. 1. 206. 9.—Fab. Spec. Ins. 1. 215. 27.

- Cerambyx fasciculatus. Degeer Ins. 5. 71. 9. Tab. 3. Fig. 17.

- Scarabaeus. Antennis articulatis longis. Raj. Ins. 97. 4. Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 14. Fig. 9. Frisch. Ins. 13. p. 22. Tab. 16.

One of the most beautiful of our Coleopterous Insects, and is common in certain situations during most part of the summer.

Fig. II. represents it of the natural size. Fig. III. magnified.

PLATE LXV.

FIG. I. PHALAENA INTERROGATIONANA. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

TORTRIX. SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior wings dark red-brown with an undulated line resembling the note of interrogation on each. Inferior wings and body pale brown.

Is very rare, and has only been hitherto taken in the wilds of Kent, and some other distant parts of the country; our specimen was taken in August.

An insect so singularly marked, cannot readily be confounded with any other species, as we do not possess one which bears much resemblance to it; the most striking particular for a specific distinction are the two waved lines of white on the superior wings, which being contrasted with the brown colour, gives it a very unusual appearance.

It is an undescribed insect, and we have called it Phalaena Interrogationana, as the white undulated mark, if viewed sideways, resembles a note of interrogation.

FIG. II. III. PHALAENA SEMI-ARGENTELLA. LEPIDOPTERA. TINEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior wings gold, with stripes of silver, inferior wings grey-brown.

Fig. II. natural size. Fig. III. magnified appearance.

Pha. Semi-argentella is without exception one of the most brilliant little moths we have; the natural size is scarcely sufficient to display its superior elegance, but when examined by the microscope, imagination cannot paint a more resplendent object, for we instantly discover a most wonderful combination of all the varied shades of molten silver and burnished gold; its superior wings are entirely adorned with plates which exhibit in one view the appearance of those costly metals, but vary with every direction of light; that which appears gold in one point of sight becoming red, or bright orange, while the shades which were before of a dark brown, assumes the resplendence of burnished gold; the thorax glitters with the same splendor; the head, antennae, and even the legs, partake also of this rich colouring in some changes of light; the inferior wings are of a very delicate texture, grey colour, changeable, and though comparatively small, are surrounded by a deep fringe, which gives them the appearance of proportion.

We are unacquainted with the works of any author that contain a figure of this insect, or we might perhaps be enabled to determine whether it is not the Pha. T. Seppella [*] of Fabricius; the descriptions nearly correspond, but we are unwilling, without other proof, to give it that specific name.

Until very lately it was considered as an exceedingly rare insect, but several specimens were taken at Highgate last summer.

FIG. IV. PHALAENA CURTISELLA. LEPIDOPTERA. TINEA.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Superior wings, and thorax white, speckled, and spotted with brown. Inferior wings and body pale brown.

This insect is very uncommon, and though it has never been either figured or described before, it has been arranged in those cabinets which possessed the specimen, under the specific name Curtisella, after Mr. CURTIS, author of the Flora Londinensis, &c.

The name was originally inserted by Mr. MARSHAM, in his manuscripts, and was intended as a compliment to the abilities of that scientific gentleman; it has not hitherto appeared in public, but we can feel no reluctance to adopt the same name.

PLATE LXVI. BOMBYLIUS MAJOR. HUMBLE-BEE FLY. DIPTERA.

Wings two.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Trunk taper, very long, sharp, between two horizontal valves.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Body short, thick, covered with thick yellowish down. Wings dark brown next the anterior margin; transparent next the posterior margin. Legs long, slender, black.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 1009. 1.—Fn. Sv. 1918. Bombylius variegatus, &c.

- Degeer. Ins. 6. 268. 1. Tab. 15. Fig. 10. Asilus, &c. Geoff. Ins. 2. 466. 1.

- Reaum. Ins. 4. Tab. 8. Fig. 11, 12, 13.

- Mouff. Ins. 64. Fig. 5.

- Scop. Carn. 1018.

- Raj. Ins. 273.

- Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 79. Fig. 5.

- Huffnag. Ins. Tab. 8. Fig. 1.

- Aldr. Ins. 350. f. 10.

We have only three species of this genus in England, Major, Medius, and Minor.

B. Major is not very rare, its usual time of appearance is June and July.

Together with other species of the Bombylius genus, it is sometimes called the Sword-Bee-Fly: this appellation it receives from the singular form of its trunk; to assist our description, we have represented its appearance when magnified, at Fig. I.

It hovers from flower to flower, when the warmth of the sun invites it abroad, and extracts the nectar from flowers, by darting its proboscis into them, but never rests while feeding.

PLATE LXVII. MELOE VARIEGATUS. SCARCE MELOE. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae globular, the last globule oval. Thorax roundish. Shells soft. Head gibbous, and bent downwards.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head and thorax dull green, margined with red. Shells short, dull green shagreened. Body large; above variegated with red, green, and copper colour: beneath purple. Legs reddish purple.

In form and size this species is not unlike the common Meloe [*]; but is far superior to that Insect, for the beauty of its colours: when the creature is alive the upper part of the body partakes of the most vivid colours, but those colours become more obscure after the Insect dies;— this difference of the appearance, between the living and dead specimen of the same species, is not peculiar to this Insect only, but is commonly observed of most other kinds. The body is large in proportion to the other parts, but after death it is so contracted, or distorted from its natural shape, as to assume the appearance of an incoherent mass; the skin so co•rugated as to receive a false light on different parts of the surface, and consequently the natural glow of the colours considerably decreased by the exhalation of that moisture which served to refresh them in the living state.

The underside, from the greater tenacity of the skin, or shelly substance, is less liable to alteration than the upper side; it is entirely of a dark, but beautiful purple, which is changeable in proportion to the convexity of the body, to the most brilliant hues; the legs are also of a beautiful purple, with the appearance of bronze or copper colour intermixed.

It does not appear to be frequent in any part of Europe; even in Germany it is rarely, if ever taken: as one of the British Coleopterae it is very little known, and is perhaps confined to the distant parts of Kent, where it is not generally diffused, but is found local to certain situations.

Mr. Crow, of Feversham, very fortunately met with a brood of them last season, and transmitted several specimens to his friends in London. They varied considerably in several respects, and particularly in their colours; some appearing much more beautiful than others.

The male is smaller than the female; they secrete themselves beneath the surface of the earth, and subsist on the roots of grass, or herbage in general: are sometimes found by turning up the mould, or may be observed crawling among the grass. Come forth in April, or May.

PLATE LXVIII.

FIG. I. II. DYTISCUS MINUTUS. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper, or clavato perfoliated. Feet villous and broad.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Yellow-brown, Shells striated, and marked with short longitudinal stripes of black.

- Fabri. Spec. Ins. 1. 297. 36.

- Chrysomela Minuta. Linn. Syst. Nat.

- Dytiscus Minutus. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 667. 23.—Fn. Sv. 778.

- Dytiscus Ruficollis. Degeer. Ins. 4. 404. 18. Tab. 16. Fig. 9.

Linnaeus placed this Insect among the CHRYSOMELAE, under the specific name Minuta; but Degeer consigned it to the DYTISCUS genus, and gave it the name Ruficollis: As a DYTISCUS it also appeared in the Systema Naturae; and Fabricius, as well as other late Entomologists, have determined it to that genus, either calling it Minutus, or after Degeer, Ruficollis.

At Fig. I. is represented its appearance when magnified, and at Fig. II. the natural size.

Is not common; our specimens were taken on Epping Forest in June. It is an aquatic Insect, or one of that kind which passes through the several states in the water, and subsists on the smaller kinds of Insects, or on the fragments of macerated vegetables. Swims very swiftly.

FIG. III. IV. DYTISCUS FERRUGINEUS. COLEOPTERA. DYTISCUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Very convex. Above red-brown. Beneath paler.

Lin. Syst. Nat.

FIG. III. natural Size, FIG. IV. magnified.

This Insect is one of the same family, and was found at the same time and place as the preceding species. Is not very frequently met with.

FIG. V. DYTISCUS SULCATUS. COLEOPTERA. DYTISCUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Shells brown, with four broad furrows, in which are grey-brown hairs. Head black, anterior part yellow, with transverse stripes. Thorax black, with yellow marks. Beneath black.

- Syst. Ent. 231. 6.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 666. 13.—Fn. Sv. 773.

- Geoff. Ins. 1. 189. 5.

- DYTISCUS fasciatus, &c. Degeer Ins. 4. 397. 4.

- HYDROCANTHARIS. Raj. Ins. 94. 3. 10.

- Frisch. Ins. 13. p. 13. Tab. 7.

- Roes. Ins. 2. Aquat. 1. Tab. 3. Fig. 7.

- Bradl. Nat. Tab. 26. Fig. 2. A.

- Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 3. Fig. 3.

- Bergstr. Nomencl. 1. Tab. 5. Fig. 3. 4. 5. Tab. 7. Fig. 6. 7.

It is suspected that the DYTISCUS Sulcatus is only the female of the DYTISCUS Cinereus, and by no means a distinct species, although Linnaeus considered it as such.

It is common in the month of May, and thence is found throughout the Summer. It passes through the different changes, and exists in the adult state in the water; and like others of the same tribe, devours the smaller kinds of aquatic Insect, or tender vegetables. It darts with astonishing swiftness in search of its prey by the assistance of its hinder legs, which are well contrived for that purpose.

PLATE LXIX. PHALAENA RUBI. FOX-COLOURED MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

No Trunk. First Wings horizontal. Second erect.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae feathered. Wings entire, with a whitish margin; two whitish transverse waves on the first pair.

- Syst. Ent. 565. 35.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 813. 21.—Fn. Sv. 1103.

- Wilk. Pap. 25. Tab. 3. a. 19.

- Ammiral. Ins. 32.

- Roes. Ins. 3. Tab. 49.

The females of this species are very rarely met with, as they conceal themselves among the grass; but the males are commonly taken when flying, and generally indicate that the females are near.

The Caterpillars will feed on the willow, but prefer the leaves of the bramble.

In this state they are found about the latter end of June, July, or August; and remain so during the Winter. In April they change to the Pupa form, and in May they appear in the Fly state.

The Moth has little to recommend it to notice; and the Pupa, like most others, is of a dull uniform black brown; it is therefore under the form of a caterpillar that it appears to most advantage.

PLATE LXX.

FIG. I. SCARABAEUS TESTUDINARIUS. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae clavated, their extremities sissile. Five joints in each foot.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head black without tubercles. Thorax black, punctured, and covered with short soft hairs. Shells deeply and equally striated, so as to produce even and regular ridges between the striae, which are of an obscure black, sprinkled with small spots of a deep yellow. Feet are of a dirty brown colour.

This beautiful animal was described by Fabricius as an English Insect in his first work, the Systema Entomologiae, but we have never seen a specimen of it before. A figure of this Insect may be found in Fuesly, Jablonsky, and Olivier; but these works being in few hands, we trust our figure will not be unacceptable to the English Entomologist.

- Fig. I. The natural size denoted by a line.

- Fig. I. The magnified appearance.

FIG. II. SCARABAEUS CONFLAGRATUS. COLEOPTERA. SCARABAEUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. The whole body black and shining, except the shells, which are testaceus, striated, with an oblong spot, rather obscure on each side near the external margin. On the head are three tubercles, the middle one larger than the others. Thorax convex and pointed.

This Insect resembles much the Scarabaeus Conspurcatus, but is a little bigger.

It is also figured by Jablonsky and Olivier, and is described by Fabricius in his new Work the Entomologiae Systema.

- Fig. II. The line shews the natural size.

- Fig. II. Magnified appearance.

FIG. III. SCARABAEUS QUADRIMACULATUS. COLEOPTERA. SCARABAEUS.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Head black, without tubercles, but has two little protuberances over the mouth. Thorax black, shining, convex, and covered with impressed points. Shells black, striated, with two red spots on each, one small at the base near the outer margin, the other larger near the apex. Underside, feet, and antennae are black and polished.

We are of opinion that the three Insects in the annexed plate will be new to most of our English Collectors, notwithstanding they are to be found in this country.

As it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to give a just representation of these minute Insects in the natural size, we have preferred giving the magnified appearance; the outlines which accompany each, and bear the same numbers, denote the true size of the original specimens.

- Fig. III. The line shews the natural size.

- Fig. III. Magnified appearance.

This species is described by Linnaeus, Fabricius, and other authors, and has been figured by Olivier and Jablonsky, being frequently met with in foreign cabinets. It is the smallest of this genus.

Olivier describes this insect as having the antennae and feet red; but it is not so in our specimen.

PLATE LXXI. PHALAENA VILLICA. CREAM-SPOT TYGER MOTH. LEPIDOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae taper from the base. Wings in general contracted when at rest. Fly by night.

* No Trunk. Wings depressed, deflexed. Back smooth.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae, head, and thorax black, with a white spot on each side the latter. First wings black, with eight large cream-coloured spots. Second wings and body orange, with black spots.

- Syst. Ent. 2. 581. 85.

- Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 820. 41.

- Geoff. Ins. 2. 106. 1.

- Harris. Aurel. Tab. 4.

- Raj. Ins. 156. 4.

- Alb. Ins. Tab. 21.

- Frisch. Ins. 10. Tab. 2.

- Reaum. Ins. 1. Tab. 31. Fig. 4. 6.

- Roes. Ins. 4. Tab. 28. Fig. 2.

- — Tab. 29. Fig. 1. 4.

- Wilk. Pap. Tab. 3. a. 2.

Chickweed is a favorite food with the Caterpillars of this Insect, but it will eat the leaves of the currant, white-thorn, nettle, grass, &c. if the former cannot be readily procured.

The Caterpillars are black and foxy, or hairy; but in a less degree than the Caterpillars of Ph. Caja, Great Tyger Moth, which we have figured in the early part of this work.

About the latter end of April the Caterpillars have attained their full size, and change into chrysalis; late in May they appear in the winged state.

It is by no means so frequent as the Great Tyger Moth, though not very rare; but it is infinitely superior for the happy combination of its colours to it, or either of the British species of that tribe which are trivially termed Tygers: it is already high in the esteem of collectors; and were specimens of the kind less common, it would be in great request among the English Entomologists.

Frequents banks which face the rising sun.

PLATE LXXII. CERAMBYX AEDILIS. LONG-HORNED CERAMBYX. COLEOPTERA.

GENERIC CHARACTER. Antennae articulated, and tapering to the end. Shells long and narrow. Four joints on each foot. Thorax, with lateral spines or tubercles.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER. Antennae considerably longer than the body. Head, thorax, and shells grey, with shades of brown, sprinkled with yellow, and dark brown spots. Thorax spined.

- Syst. Ent. 164. 1.—Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 628. 37.— Fn. Sv. 653.

- Cerambyx, &c. Linn. It. Oel. 8.

- Degeer. Ins. 5. 66. 5. Tab. 4. Fig. 1. 2.

- Capricornus russicus. Petiv. Gazoph. Tab. 8. Fig. 8.

- Mouff. Ins. 151. Fig. 2.

- Frisch. Ins. 13. Tab. 12.

- Sulz. Hist. Ins. Tab 4. Fig. 27.

- Act. Nidros. 4. Tab. 16. Fig. 8.

- Schaeff. Icon. Tab. 14. Fig. 7.

- Bergstr. Nomencl. 1. 3. 5. Tab. 1. Fig. 5. 6. Tab. 2. Fig. 1.

- Fab. Spec. Ins. 1. 209. 1.

This species is found in every part of Europe, though very scarce; and in England it is extremely rare.

And it is no less distinguished for the very singular structure and length of its antennae, than for its rarity; that part which forms one of the most certain characteristics of almost every tribe of Insects, constitutes the most prominent character in this.

Of its use, we are altogether ignorant, as the various opinions that have been given by former writers are now obliterated; some have supposed that they were the organs of hearing, or smell; and others have imagined that they were susceptible of the least motion in the ambient fluid in which they move.

Geoffroy discovered the organs of hearing in several amphibious animals, viz. in the toad, frog, viper, some other serpents, lizard, water-salamander, and skate [*]; and many of the most eminent anatomists of the present time have discovered by their researches into the animal kingdom, those organs in different creatures. Professor Camper, in 1763, published remarks on the organs of hearing in fishes, in the Harlem Transactions [†]: Mr. Hunter has described others in the Philosophical Transactions [‡]; and Dr. Monro has described and figured great variety of them in his large work on the structure and physiology of fishes.

Probably, induced by those discoveries professor Fabricius endeavoured to ascertain the organs of hearing in Insects also; and about nine years ago published an account of this interesting discovery in the New Copenhagen Transactions [§], with figures of those organs in the crab and lobster: he found the external orifice of the organ in these animals to be placed between the long and the short antennae, the cochlea, &c. being lodged in the upper part, which Linnaeus calls the thorax, near the base of the serrated projection at its apex; we must therefore conclude that the antennae of Insects are appropriated for some other purposes than those it is at present suspected they answer.

The Cerambyx Aedilis, Fabricius informs us, lives in the trunks of trees; its horns are moveable, as it can either direct them forward, or support them in an erect position; and when it sleeps, it reclines them along its back; it also reclines them when it walks quick, or has to pass through a narrow track, as the least resistance from any thing in its way, would be very liable to injure, or break them off.

Our specimen was taken in May.

Notes

*
The Ichneumon is a well known animal in Egypt, particularly near the river Nile, and are useful for destroying the Eggs of the Crocodile, &c.
↵

*
Urtica Dioica. Linn.
↵

*
Geoff. Ins. 1. 388. 1. tab. 6. fig. 4.
↵

*
Geoff. Ins. 1. 388. 1. tab. 6. fig. 4.
↵

*
Fab. Gen. Ins.
↵

*
The Caterpillars of a very small portion of minute Moths are known; and many Species in the adult state are so very rare, as to have escaped the attention of the most accurate Entymologists. Of the number which are ascertained as natives, very few are hitherto figured, or even described.
↵

*
The insects distinguished by this title are known by the trivial names Plumes, or Fans; their wings being entirely formed of feathers connected only near the base in the manner of a fan.
↵

*
Mr. Bentley.
↵

*
Alis auratis, strigis duabus argenteis. Gen. Ins. Mant. 296.
↵

*
M. Proscarabaeus.
↵

*
Memoires Etrangers de l'Acad. de Paris, 1755.
↵

†
In the Year 1763, &c.
↵

‡
Vol. lxxii.
↵

§
Vol. ii. p. 375.
↵

LINNAEAN INDEX TO VOL. II.

COLEOPTERA.

- Scarabaeus Testudinarius Plate 70 Fig. 1.

- — Conflagratus Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- — Quadrimaculatus Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- Silpha Quadripunctata Plate 56 Fig. 2.

- — Thoracica Plate 63 Fig. 1.

- — Obscura Plate ib. Fig. 4.

- Cassida Cruentata [1] Plate ib. Fig. 2. 3.

- Coccinella 22 punctata Plate 39 Fig. 1. 4.

- 14 punctata Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- 6 pustulata Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- 7 punctata. Cow-lady, or Lady-bird Plate ib. Fig. 5.

- Larva of Coccinella, 7 punctata Plate 40 Fig. 1.

- Curculio Scrophulariae Plate 60

- Cerambyx Aedilis Plate 72

- — Violaceus Plate 64 Fig. 1.

- — Hispidus Plate ib. Fig. 2. 3.

- Pyrochroa Coccinea. (Fab.) Plate 56 Fig. 1.

- Dytiscus Minutus Plate 68 Fig. 1. 2.

- — Ferrugineus Plate ib. Fig. 3. 4.

- — Sulcatus Plate ib. Fig. 5.

- Meloe Variegatus [2] Plate 67

- — Proscarabaeus Plate 43

HEMIPTERA.

- Cicada Sanguinolenta Plate 54 Fig. 1.

- — Spuma•ia, Cuckow-spit Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- — Viridis Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- Cimex Stagnorum, Water-bug Plate 38

LEPIDOPTERA.

- Papilio Iris, Purple Emperor Butter-fly Plate 37

- — Hyale, Saffron, or clouded orange Butter-fly Plate 43

- — Urticae, small Tortoise-shell Butter-fly Plate 55

- Sphinx Tipuliformis Plate 53

- Magnified appearance of S. Tipuliformis Plate 52

- Phalaena Rosea. Red Arches Moth Plate 40

- — Prasinana? Scarce 〈◊〉-line Moth Plate ib.

- — Jacobaeae. Cinnabar Moth Plate 45

- — Pisi. Broom Moth Plate 51

- — Straminea * Plate 61

- — Villica. Cream Spot Tyger Moth Plate 71

- — Rubi. Fox coloured Moth Plate 69

- — Festucae. Gold Spot Moth Plate 46

- — Lambdella * Plate 57 Fig. 1.

- — Aurana Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- — Apicella * Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- — Pruniella * Plate 58 Fig. 1.

- — Marginella Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- — Pavonana * Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- — Pavonana, magnified appearance * Plate 59 Fig. 1.

- — Pruniella, ditto * Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- — Interrogationana * Plate 56 Fig. 1.

- — Semi-argentella * Plate ib. Fig. 2. 3.

- — Curtisella * Plate ib. Fig. 4.

NEUROPTERA.

- Libellula Depressa. The larva of Plate 44

HYMENOPTERA.

- Ichneumon Rami•ulus Plate 42 Fig. 1.

- — Raptorius Plate ib. Fig. 2.

DIPTERA.

- Tipula Crocata Plate 48 Fig. 1.

- — Rivosa Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- Musca Onopordinis? Plate 62

- Bombylius Major Plate 66

APTERA.

- Aranea Diadema. White Cross Spider Plate 49

- Vorticella Polymorpha Plate 41 Fig. 1.

- — Rotatoria Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- Trichoda Lynceus Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- — Bomba Plate 47 Fig. 2.

- Kerona Patella Plate 41 Fig. 4.

- Proteus Diffluens Plate 47 Fig. 1.

Notes

1
The Star * distinguishes those which have not been named before.
↵

2
The Star * distinguishes those which have not been named before.
↵

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO VOL. II.

- Aedilis, Cerambyx Plate 72

- Apicella, Phalaena Plate 57 Fig. 3.

- Aurana, Phalaena Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- Bomba, Trichoda Plate 47 Fig. 2.

- Coccinea, Pyrochroa Plate 56 Fig. 1.

- Conflagratus Scarabaeus Plate 70 Fig. 2.

- Crocata, Tipula Plate 48 Fig. 1.

- Cruentata, Cassida Plate 63 Fig. 2. 3.

- Curtisella, Phalaena Plate 65 Fig. 4.

- Diadema, Aranea, White Cross Spider Plate 49, 50

- Diffluens, Proteus Plate 47 Fig. 1.

- Ferrugineus, Dytiscus Plate 68 Fig. 3. 4.

- Festucae, Phalaena, Gold Spot Moth Plate 46

- Hispidus, Cerambyx Plate 64 Fig. 2. 3.

- Hyale, Papilio, Clouded orange, or Saffron Butter-fly Plate 43

- Interrogationana, Phalaena Plate 65

- Iris, Papilio, Purple Emperor Plate 37

- Jacobaeae, Phalaena, Cinnabar Moth Plate 45

- Lambdella, Phalaena Plate 57 Fig. 1.

- Larva of the Coccinella, 7 punctata Plate 40 Fig. 1.

- — of the Libellula Depressa Plate 44

- Lynceus, Trichoda Plate 41 Fig. 3.

- Major, Bombylius, Humble-Bee Fly Plate 66

- Marginella, Phalaena Plate 58 Fig. 2.

- Minutus, Dytiscus Plate 68 Fig. 1. 2.

- Obscura, Silpha Plate 63 Fig. 4.

- Onopordinis, Musca Plate 62

- Patella, Kerona Plate 41 Fig. 4.

- Pavonana, Phalaena Plate 58, 59 Fig. 3.

- Pisi, Phalaena, Broom Moth Plate 51

- Polymorpha, Vorticella Plate 41 Fig. 1.

- Prasinana, Phalaena, Scarce Silver-line Moth Plate 40

- Proscarabaeus, Meloe Plate 43

- Pruniella, Phalaena Plate 58 Fig. 1. 1.

- Punctata, 22. Coccinella Plate 39 Fig. 1. 4.

- Punctata, 14. Coccinella Plate ib. Fig. 2.

- Punctata, 7. Coccinella Plate ib. Fig. 5.

- Pustulata, 6. Coccinella Plate ib. Fig. 3.

- Quadripunctata, Silpha Plate 56 Fig. 2.

- Quadrimaculatus, Scarabaeus Plate 70 Fig. 3.

- Ramidulus, Ichneumon Plate 42 Fig. 1.

- Raptorius, Ichneumon Plate 42 Fig. 2.

- Rivosa, Tipula Plate 48 Fig. 2.

- Rosea, Phalaena. Red Arches Moth Plate 40

- Rotatoria, Vorticella Plate 41 Fig. 2.

- Rubi, Phalaena, Fox coloured Moth Plate 69

- Sanguinolenta, Cicada Plate 54 Fig. 1.

- Semi-argentella, Phalaena Plate 65 Fig. 2. 3.

- Scrophulariae, Curculio Plate 60

- Spumaria, Cicada, Cuckow-spit Plate 54 Fig. 2.

- Stagnorum, Cimex, Water-bug Plate 38

- Straminea, Phalaena Plate 61

- Sulcatus, Dytiscus Plate 68 Fig. 5.

- Testudinarius, Scarabaeus Plate 70 Fig. 1.

- Tipuliformis, Sphinx, Currant Sphinx Plate 52, 53

- Thoracica, Silpha Plate 63 Fig. 1.

- Variegatus, Meloe. Scarce Meloe Plate 67

- Villica, Phalaena. Cream Spot Tyger Moth Plate 71

- Violaceus, Cerambyx Plate 64 Fig. 1.

- Viridis, Cicada Plate 54 Fig. 3.

- Urticae, Papilio, small Tortoise-shell Butter-fly Plate 55

ERRATA TO VOL. II.

- Page 11, for Plate XL. read XLI.

- Plate LXVIII, should have been numbered LXIX.

- Plate LXIX, should have been numbered LXVIII.

Information about this book

Title statement

The natural history of British insects: explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, œconomy, &c. Together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope. The whole illustrated by coloured figures, ... By E. Donovan. [pt.2]

Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837.

Publication

Distributor

University of Oxford Text Archive
Oxford University Computing Services
13 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 6NN
ota@oucs.ox.ac.uk

ID [ota]

http://ota.ox.ac.uk/id/4802

ID [isbn10]

110601801X

ID [isbn13]

9781106018014

ID [TCP]

K078024.002

ID [BIBNO]

CW3308360517

ID [ECMS]

0622600702

Availability

Distributed by the University of Oxford under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Source

— The natural history of British insects: explaining them in their several states, with the periods of their transformations, their food, œconomy, &c. Together with the history of such minute insects as require investigation by the microscope. The whole illustrated by coloured figures, ... By E. Donovan., Donovan, E. (Edward), 1768-1837.. 10v.,plates ; 8⁰. London :: printed for the author, and for F. and C. Rivington,. 1792-1801.. [Published in monthly numbers.] [A further six volumes were published 1806-13.] [Vol. 8 is "printed by D. Bye and H. Law" ; vols.9, 10 are "printed by Bye and Law".] [Reproduction of original from the British Library.] [English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT96891.] [Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).]

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2p5.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

This electronic text file was keyed from page images and partially proofread for accuracy. Character capture and encoding have been done following the guidelines of the ECCO Text Creation Partnership, which correspond roughly to the recommendations found in Level 4 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines. Digital page images are linked to the text file.