TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Some minor changes to the text are noted at the [end of the book].

The new original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.

Errata listed in front matter have been applied to the book.

Plates have been moved to be adjacent to the description of the species which they represent. Larger, higher-resolution versions of the plates may be seen by clicking (High Resolution Image) below them.

THE
English Moths and Butterflies:
Together with
The Plants, Flowers, and Fruits whereon they Feed,
and are usually Found.

All Drawn and Coloured in such a Manner, as to represent their several
beautiful Appearances,
Being copied exactly from the Subjects themselves, and Painted on the best
Atlas Paper.
Together with an Attempt towards a Natural History of the said Moths and Butterflies.

This work consists of one Hundred and Twenty Copper Plates, with a particular Account of the Flies represented in the said Plates setting forth the true Times of their Appearance in the Caterpillar, Chrysalis, and Fly State; the most ready Means of finding them; the Method of managing and preserving them; their Ways of feeding; the several Plants they feed on; and, in a Word, everything yet known relating to their Natural History. Together with the Names of the Plants, Flowers, Fruits &c.

The Price of this Work colour’d is Nine Pounds;
Which for the Conveniency of the Buyer is divided into four Parts, and each Part, or any single
Number, may be had separately.
Uncoloured Three Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Sixpence, or Two Shillings and Sixpence
each Number.
The Natural History by itself Ten Shillings and Sixpence.

LONDON;
Printed for, and Sold by BENJAMIN WILKES, the Proprietor, in Fleetstreet.

TO
MARTIN FOLKES, Esq; President,
And to the
COUNCIL and FELLOWS of the
ROYAL SOCIETY
OF
LONDON.

Gentlemen,

I Humbly take the Liberty to address this Work to You, and presume to hope, from Your exact Knowledge of the Subjects it contains, and Your having been pleased to countenance the several Parts of it, as they were published, with Your Acceptance and Approbation, that You will not, now they are put together, deny them the Honour of Your Patronage.

The Institution of Your Society for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, must render it not improper to lay before You every Attempt towards such Improvement. On the contrary, You have a sort of Right to expect, that every Author in Natural History, should submit his Labours to Your Examination, and think himself happy if they will stand the Test of Your Judgment.

The Animal and Vegetable Parts of the Creation afford endless Stores for the Enquiry and Entertainment of the curious Naturalist: and some of the most beautiful of each Sort, are here presented to the Eye, in their true Size, Form, and Colour. Nor will it be objected by You, that too much Time and Pains has been bestowed on a Company of Insects, which few People trouble themselves about; for true Philosophy teaches, that the meanest thing God has made, is not below the Dignity of the most exalted of mortal Men to consider. But the Creatures here exhibited, are adorned with such a Variety of Beauty to engage our Notice, and undergo such amazing Changes in their Form and Appearance, that a thinking Mind can hardly avoid regarding them with uncommon Pleasure and a more than ordinary Attention.

Little, perhaps, is wanting to make the Study of Nature universally pursued, than to render it easy and intelligible; for, surely, the Understanding God has given us, can never be more properly employed, than in examining and considering those Proofs of his Divine Goodness and Power, which are placed every where around us. This is a most reasonable and satisfactory Entertainment; and I am fully persuaded, many of You, Gentlemen, have often experienced more real Pleasure from such Examinations, than those who know nothing of them can possibly conceive.

My Attempt towards a Natural History of the English Moths and Butterflies, (which is here added to the Paintings of them) wherein they are divided into Classes, and their several Progressions and Changes from the Egg to the Fly-state are described, (and that not from Books or Conjectures, but from actual Experiments and close Observation) will, I hope, meet with Your Approbation.

But not to be longer troublesome than to beg Pardon for this Presumption, and with a continual increase of Prosperity and Honour to the Royal Society of London, permit me to subscribe myself,

Gentlemen,
Your most obedient,
Humble Servant,
BENJAMIN WILKES.

THE
PREFACE.

The Painting of HISTORY PIECES and PORTRAITS in Oyl being the Profession of the Author of this Work, he frequently found himself at a Loss, in the Course of his Employment, to understand with Certainty what Colours would contrast with and set off each other to the best Advantage; and perhaps had still remained under the same Difficulties, had he not been led by Accident into the Means of learning all this from Nature, which undoubtedly is the best Instructor.

It happened that a Friend invited him one Evening, to bear him Company to a Society named the Aurelian: the agreeable Purpose of which is, to become acquainted with that Part of Natural Philosophy which relates to the Generation and Properties of Insects, of which they have a fine Collection. And here he first saw such Specimens of Nature’s admirable Skill in the Disposition, Arrangement, and contrasting of Colours (particularly amongst the Moths and Butterflies) as struck him with Amazement, and convinced him, at the same Time, that studying them would turn greatly to his Advantage.

With this View he desired to become a Member of the Aurelian Society, and soon after had the Honour to be admitted; when, by his own Diligence, together with the genenerous and kind Assistance of some Gentlemen of the Society, it was not long before he had acquired a tolerable Collection of English Moths and Butterflies; and for ten Years past his leisure Hours have chiefly been employed in the collecting and making Drawings of the different English Caterpillars, Aureliæ or Chrysalides, Flies, &c. that he could any Ways obtain; and in making such Observations and Remarks thereon as shall now, with all Submission, be laid before the Publick.

He has been greatly assisted in this Work by that well-known and ingenious Naturalist, Mr. Joseph Dandridge; to whose noble Collection he had free Access during his Life-time, and also the Liberty of making what Use he thought fit of his curious Remarks on these Subjects, which were the Fruits of no less than forty Years Experience. And he is still favoured in the like Manner by his Successors, as often as he finds Occasion.

Respect to the Memory of this valuable and worthy Man, will not suffer him to omit this Opportunity of giving him the Character that is most justly his due, viz. That he was a Person of unbounded Curiosity, and unwearied Application in his Researches into the Works of Nature; in the Study of which all those Hours were employed that could be spared from his immediate Business; by which Means, during a long Life, he had not only got together a great Variety of the most rare natural Productions, but also from Time to Time had written down his Observations thereon, which deserve the highest Regard, as his Judgment and Veracity were both without Exception. And, as he loved these Studies himself, he was a zealous Encourager of all that had the same Inclination, whom he was always ready to assist with his laboriously acquired Knowledge.

But to proceed—He must also acknowledge, that in the Course of this Undertaking he has made use of the Drawings of some Caterpillars and Flies which were published not long ago in a curious Work of this Sort, by J. A. Rosel, at Norimburgh, in Germany: But he has taken from him such only as are exactly of the same Species with what we have in England, though we have not yet been so fortunate to meet with them under all their several Changes: what Information that Gentleman has given, as to those Particularities concerning them which we are yet unacquainted with, he therefore judged proper to insert.

As to the Plants, Flowers, and Fruits, he declares himself under the highest Obligation to a most curious Naturalist, and worthy Member of the Royal Society of London, whose costly and valuable Collection is known to the learned World, and esteemed as it deserves. This Gentleman has generously permitted him to make use of many excellent Paintings of these Subjects, which were taken from Nature by those two celebrated Artists Mr. George Dennis Ehret, and Mr. Jacobus Van Heysum, and executed with the utmost Judgment and Command of Pencil, so that he could hardly doubt but that true Copies of them would give great Pleasure to the Lovers of Botany, whom he has endeavoured to entertain with all the Variety he could introduce.

Some Ill-natured People, that love to find Fault with every Thing, have, he hears, objected against the Liberty he has taken, in giving in several of his Plates, Plants, Flowers, and Fruits, that are not in Reality the Food of the Caterpillars therein exhibited; but as the greatest Part of the Caterpillars described in this Work feed chiefly on the Oak, Elm, Black-Thorn, White-Thorn, Willow, and Nettle, all which are separately represented in different Plates, it was judged unnecessary (and would certainly have been tiresom) to repeat those Subjects, as often as different Caterpillars are presented to which they serve for Food: and therefore, instead of so doing, the Author has enriched his Undertaking with some of the most beautiful Productions of Nature in the Vegetable Kingdom: But, however, has not forgot to place the Caterpillars, in most of the Plates, on a small Specimen of the real Plant on which it feeds, as will be properly explained in the Account of each Particular Fly:—and this Care, it is hoped will be an Answer to all unreasonable Cavils.

The Plates are all drawn and etched with his own Hand, in a quite new Manner; whereby every Design, when coloured, appears like a regular Piece of Painting; and the Flies are drawn and Painted with the utmost Exactness, from as fine and perfect Specimens as can be bred. The common Method of amusing the Reader with long Accounts of the Colours and Markings of each Fly is avoided in this Work, as entirely needless, when the Objects are truly represented before his Eyes.

His Classing of the Caterpillars will be found of great Use; for if it be enquired what Fly any Caterpillar that may happen to present itself will produce, by observing its Character you will easily be satisfied (if it is in this Collection) and be likewise taught what its proper Food is, &c. Names are absolutely necessary to distinguish one Fly from another, and enable the Curious in this Study to communicate any Observations they may make; which, without giving Names to the Flies, would be very difficult, if even possible to be done; as they must be greatly at a Loss to make others perfectly understand what Flies they are treating of. The worthy Members of the Aurelian Society, and several other ingenious Gentlemen, have been so sensible of this, that they, from Time to Time, have thought proper to bestow some Name on every Species that has come within their Knowledge.

Indeed Names are arbitrary, and if remembered, and the Intent of them well understood, may, whatever they are, serve the Purpose of giving them: But here, as in every Thing else, a Propriety is to be aimed at, and the Names given ought to denote some distinguishing Particularity, and that the most obvious, in the Subject on which they are bestowed, so as to make the Name, if possible, descriptive of the Thing: Which Rule has been followed as strictly as might be in naming the Moths and Butterflies contained in this Work: that is to say, the Shape, the Colour, the Marking, the Food, or the Place where found is what they are named from. But in doing this, where the Author found them named to his Hands in this descriptive Manner, he has gladly retained the Name they had already, and only presumes to bestow Names himself on such as either had none at all, or which he thought not sufficiently denotative of the particular Flies intended to be known by them.

The Division of the Work into Books and Chapters may need some Explanation, since under some of the Divisions very few, or even but one single Fly is placed; the Reason whereof is, that the Plan here laid down is intended for the Arranging of all the Moths and Butterflies, whose Progression is known at present, or shall hereafter be discovered in England; of which, as the Flies here given are but a small Part, this must be considered but as an Out-line to be filled up occasionally.

It is hoped the Directions here given how to collect the Caterpillars or Chrysalides, how to feed and take Care of them, how to preserve the Flies when bred, and where and at what Times they may be found most easily, will prove both acceptable and useful to every curious Collector; and as the Author thinks himself under great Obligations to the Subscribers to, and Encouragers of this Undertaking, a List of their Names is added as a Memorial of his Gratitude.

These Things being premised, we come now to give a short Sketch of the Natural History of the English Moths and Butterflies in general.

INTRODUCTION.

Of Moths and Butterflies in general.

The Opinion of Equivocal Generation however formerly received, has by the present Age been deservedly rejected; since every Observation proves, that all Creatures are produced by Parents of their own Kind, and that in general those Parents are Male and Female; and the Production of every Moth and Butterfly in this Manner, is I believe at present not doubted by any Body.

The Females, both of the Moth and Butterfly, lay their Eggs in a short Time after Copulation, upon or contiguous to what will supply proper Food for the young Brood when produced. After a certain Period the Infant Caterpillars included in the Eggs burst their Shells, crawl forth, and feed upon the Provision ready prepared for them. And each of these Caterpillars, having fed its appointed Time, becomes a Chrysalis or Aurelia; from which State, after a while, it issues forth a Fly in the Likeness of its Parent.

Some Species of Butterflies breed twice a Year. Those that come forth in May lay their Eggs soon after, which Eggs in about nine Days Time are hatched. The Caterpillars feed for about six Weeks, then change to Chrysalis, lie in that State for about fourteen Days, and then the Flies are bred. These lay their Eggs as the first Brood did, the Caterpillars change to Chrysalis in September, and the Flies come forth in the following May.

The Variety of the Moth Kinds is so great, that perhaps there is scarce a Day in the Year when some of them are not bred. The Time of their Continuance in the Chrysalis State will be best known by attending to the Account of each Moth described in the following Plates. Some Moths as well as Butterflies breed twice a Year.

It frequently happens, that the Fly does not come out at the usual Time, but continues in the Chrysalis State till that Time Twelvemonth; so that the Creature remains in that Case a Year and nine Months (and sometimes longer) in a State of Rest, without Nourishment of any kind.

Thus much in general:—We descend now to particular Observations.

On the different Manner of laying their Eggs.

All Butterflies and Moths lay a great Number of Eggs, some even as far as two or three Hundred. The Eggs of some Kinds are glutenous, or covered with a glewy Moisture; but those of others are not so: The glutenous are fixt (sometimes singly) on Grass, the Leaves of Trees, Shrubs, &c. and sometimes in Clusters after the same Manner. Some Sorts of Eggs are laid naked or uncovered, and others are cloath’d with a sort of Down, &c. Some Flies lay them in a Spiral Line, or Screw-like Figure, round a small Twigg, a Stalk of Grass, &c. And these may be pulled off entire, in Fashion like a Cylindrical Tube, and as hard as Horn: Others deposit theirs in the Chinks of the Barks of Trees, &c. &c. &c.

It is observeable, that the whole Process from the Egg, to the Fly, of many Species, is perform’d in about sixty Days. But the Goat Moth is an Exception to this Rule, being reported to be three Years proceeding from the Egg to the Fly State.

Of the Eggs.

The Eggs are of various Forms; some are round, some are oval, and many of the Moth-Kind flat, and perforated through the Middle; so that the Embrios or Caterpillars lie curl’d up before they are hatch’d, as they frequently do afterwards when come to Maturity. They are found of all manner of Colours, and many of them are extremely beautiful if view’d with a Microscope; some being curiously rib’d and adorn’d with Protuberances, &c. like the nicest carved Work; others marbled and spotted with an amazing Variety of delightful colouring.

Of Caterpillars.

Caterpillars are usually divided into the Naked and Cloathed Kinds. Among the Cloath’d some have only small Tufts of Hair or Down, others are cover’d all over with it.

The Caterpillars of all known Butterflies have six Hooks or Claws before, eight Feet in the Middle of their Body, and two Holders behind. Those that produce Moths have all six Hooks or Claws before, and Holders behind. Some have eight Feet in the Middle, some four, and some only two next their Holders.

Some Species of Caterpillars always feed inclos’d or spun up in the Leaves they feed upon, others take their Food openly and in Sight.

Some are sociable and herd together whilst young, but when they change their third Skin they grow unsociable and feed separately.

Others are born unsociable, and feed separately from their Infancy.

Some Species spin a large Web that will contain an hundred Caterpillars, or more, from which they never go far till they have eat up all the Leaves that are near thereto: Then they spin a new Web, and so (shifting their Quarters) in a short Time, instead of the green Leaves that they have devoured, leave the Tree, or Bush, covered only with their white Webs.

Some Sorts, when disturbed, let themselves down by a Thread like a Spider, by which Means they avoid being devoured by other Insects that have not the Means of following them, &c.

Of the Food of Caterpillars, and their Manner of Feeding.

Their Food is almost general, but some Kinds will eat nothing except their own particular Trees, or Plants.

Some Species feed upon Herbage, others live and feed upon the solid Parts of Trees, and Barks.

Some dwell in the Earth, or other private Recesses in the Day-time, and at Night come forth, and feed on Grass, Flowers, &c. Others again feed on the different Kinds of Mosses, Heath, Broom, the Leaves of Trees, Shrubs, &c.

Some feed upon the Waters naked and exposed, and others make themselves Cases of Sticks, Rushes, &c. in the Waters, where they get their Food.

Of the Forms of Caterpillars.

The Variety and Beauty which present themselves to our Eyes in the Form and Colouring of Caterpillars, are no less remarkable than the Flies themselves, as the Reader will be satisfied by examining the following Plates.

Of the Change of Caterpillars into the Chrysalis State.

When a Caterpillar has fed its appointed Time, and is come to full Maturity, it undergoes a Change, and becomes a Body of a different Form, incrusted with a Shell, and usually called a Chrysalis or Aurelia; the Shell of which is formed underneath the Skin of the Caterpillar, which Skin comes off as soon as the Aurelia becomes perfect.

Of the Chrysalis or Aurelia.

During its Continuance in the Chrysalis State, it seems to have no Sense but Feeling; and some of them have even that in a very low Degree, for they may be touched pretty roughly without moving.

The Chrysalides or Aureliæ of the Butterfly-Kind are all very beautiful; some of them look as if they were studded with Gold; some are striped, others spotted, and others mottled with all the various Colours of the Rainbow. But those of the Moth-Kind are not so; differing very little from one another, either in Shape or Colour, except the Magpye, and some few besides.

How the Aurelia or Chrysalis is secured.

Nothing in Nature is perhaps more deserving Notice, than the many different Methods whereby Caterpillars conceal and secure themselves whilst in this helpless and unactive Condition.

Some of them spin a large Case of Silk in Form of an Egg, wherein the Chrysalis lies concealed, till the Time comes for the Fly to make its Appearance, which it does by piercing through this Case.

Of such Cases there are several Sorts, different in Form and Colour:

Some are long, and drawn out to a Point at each End; others are more round.

The Texture of some is very thick and close.

Others are thin, like Gause, insomuch that the Chrysalis may be seen thorough them.

Some Aureliæ are white, some yellow, and others of different Hues; and most of the hairy Caterpillars intermix their Hair amongst the Spinning.

Some Caterpillars form a hard-crusted Case, composed of silk Threads glewed together, in such Manner as to become hard like an Egg-shell, so that when the Fly comes out, a round Hole like a Door appears.

The Silk-spinning Caterpillars are of various Kinds, and deposit their Aureliæ in different Places, and in different Manners, viz. some fasten them on the Leaves and Stalks of Plants, without any Covering; others spin the Leaves over them; others lodge them in Holes and Crevices; and others in the Earth.

Many of the Moth-Kind place their Chrysalis in the Earth, about an Inch or two deep, surrounding it with a Case of Earth lined with a glutenous Matter, that no Wet can penetrate: And what is very surprizing, notwithstanding the extreme Delicacy and Tenderness of the Fly when first bred, be the Ground never so hard, it makes its way thorough it without ruffling a single Feather.

Few, if any, of the Butterfly-Kind form a Case or Spinning, except what fastens the Tail and Body of the Chrysalis. Some hang perpendicularly downwards, and others in an horizontal Position, being fastened by the Tail, with a Thread round the Back and on each Side. Some are secured within the Leaves spun together; others are hid in the Hollows and Barks of Trees; and others again under the Copings of Walls, in Houses, Sheds, &c.

Of the FLY.

After the Chrysalis has remained its due Time, the Fly bursts the Shell wherein it was contained, and comes out formed perfectly in every Part, except the Wings, which then appear too small to cover its Body. In this naked Condition it crawls up to some convenient Place, where its Wings may hang down without any Hindrance: And when thus disposed, the Wings begin to expand themselves so much, that in the Space of half an Hour, the Wings (of Butterflies) are stretched commonly to their full Size; nay, even those of the largest Moths seldom require above an Hour’s Time. At first they are flabby, like wet Paper, but soon afterwards they become stiff, and capable of supporting them in their Airy Flights, &c.

In this Fly State their first Care seems to be the Propagation of their Species, for some of them will copulate immediately if they can find a Mate; to seek which the Male Butterfly takes Wing, as soon as his Wings are in a proper Condition: But few Moths, whether bred in the Night Time or in the Day, ever offer to fly till the Night after their Birth, when they go in Search of the Females.

The Females (especially of the Moth Kinds) seldom, if ever, take Wing till they have been cocked: they often continue in Conjunction twelve Hours and more, after which the Female lays her Eggs, flies about for a Time, and then dies.—The Females of some Kinds are without Wings.

The Males (of some Species) have a surprizing Quickness and Distinction in their Sense of Smelling, exceeding that of the Blood-Hound, or any other Creature yet known; for if a Female be concealed in a Box, and there are any Males within half a Mile or more, they will fly directly to the Place, and hover round it. By this Means a Dozen Male Egger-Moths have been taken in an Hour’s Time, and that at about Twelve o’Clock at Noon, as may be seen in the Account of the Egger-Moth.

Their Continuance in the Fly State depends greatly on the Weather, many Flies being destroyed as soon as bred, by Storms of Hail, &c. but if the Season proves favourable, many will live for a Fortnight, three Weeks, or longer, and some even all the Winter through.

The Distinction of Moths and Butterflies.

MOTHS and BUTTERFLIES agree in their Progression from the Egg to the Fly State, are different when in that State, in the following Particulars.

BUTTERFLIES have a Ball or Knob at the Extremity of each of their Antennæ, or Horns.

The Horns of MOTHS have not such Balls or Knobs, but are constantly threaded or pointed: except the Males of some Species, whose Horns are ramified, or in the Form of Combs.

All BUTTERFLIES settle with their Wings erect, and generally keep them in that Posture, unless when basking in the Sun.

Most MOTHS do not settle with their Wings erect, but place them horizontally, or inclining to their Feet.

All BUTTERFLIES come abroad by Day-Light, and chiefly when the Sun shines bright.

MOTHS fly, some by Day-Light, some by Twilight, and some in the Dead of Night.

N. B. There is a Species of Fly betwixt the Moth and the Butterfly, whose Horns are more flat and hollow; this is describ’d in the second Book of this Work, by the Name of the Burnet.

Concerning the Food of the Fly.

The Food of these Creatures in the Fly State, is very different from what it was when they were Caterpillars: Butterflies feed on all Kinds of Flowers, and on several sorts of Fruits, and I have seen them extremely fond of the Juices that issue from the Bodies of several Sorts of Trees.

MOTHS feed on the same Things, as also on the Honey-Dew that is found on the Leaves of Limes, Elms, &c. The Moths, as well as the Butterflies, are furnished with a long Proboscis, or Tongue, which lies curl’d up like a Watch-Spring, under the fore Part of the Head. The Length of this Proboscis varies according to the Species of the Fly, and is from half an Inch, to four Inches long.

The Enemies of Moths and Butterflies.

Nature has been so abundant in the Production of these Creatures, that were it not for the many Dangers they are exposed to, through every Stage of their Lives, the whole World would be too small to contain their Offspring, in four or five Years; for, upon Calculation, the Progeny of one Pair of large Butterflies, (supposing them to lay only 100 Eggs, whereas many of them lay 2 or 300, and that twice a Year) would be sufficient to cover the whole Kingdom of England in about twelve Years.

While in the Egg, they are devoured in great Numbers by Birds and other Animals.

Whilst Caterpillars, they are a Prey to small Birds of all Kinds, being almost the only Food wherewith such Birds nourish and rear their young ones.

CATERPILLARS likewise kill and devour one another; and, besides that, Numbers of them die in shifting their Skins, and in changing into the Chrysalis State. But the greatest Enemy they have in this State, is the Ichneumon Fly.

In the Aurelia State, such as have no Case are a Prey to Birds, &c. those in the Earth, to Moles, Mice, and other subterraneous Animals; and besides, great Numbers are destroyed by Frosts and Wet. In the Fly State they are a Prey to Birds, Batts, and many other Creatures.

There are four different Ways, in one or other of which all Animals of the Moth or Butterfly-Kind subsist during the Winter Season, viz.

1. Some in the Egg State.
2. Some in the Caterpillar State.
3. Some in the Chrysalis State.
4. And some in the Fly State.

It is likewise to be observed, that the several Species of them chuse different Places for their Residence

1. Some frequent Woods.
2. Some Plains and Heaths.
3. Some Hedges and Thickets.
4. Some Meads, and Mowing Grass.
5. And others marshy wet Grounds, &c.

Several Kinds of Caterpillars come forth of the Egg in July, August, September, and October,
remain in the Caterpillar State all the Winter, feed up in the Spring, then change into
the Chrysalis State, and produce Flies a few Weeks afterwards.
Others there are that continue in the Egg State all the Winter, are hatched in the
Spring, and feed up in about 45 Days: then change into the Chrysalis, and produce their Flies
in about 14 Days afterwards.
N. B. The Curious may be assured, that all these Observations are founded on real Facts,
and not on any Supposition or Conjecture.
And now, (as it seems exactly suitable to this Work) we shall beg Leave to close the Introduction
with a short Description of the Butterfly, taken from a Poem called The UNIVERSE,
which was written some Years ago
By Mr. Henry Baker.

SEE, to the Sun the Butterfly displays

Its glittering Wings, and wantons in his Rays:

In Life exulting, o’er the Meadows flies,

Sips from each Flow’r, and breathes the vernal Skies.

Its splendid Plumes, in grateful Order, show

The various Glories of the painted Bow.

Where Love directs, a Libertine it roves,

And courts the fair ones thro’ the verdant Groves.

How glorious now! How chang’d since Yesterday! }

When on the Ground, a crawling Worm it lay, }

Where ev’ry Foot might tread its Soul away! }

Who rais’d it thence? And bid it range the Skies?

Gave its rich Plumage, and its brilliant Dyes?

’Twas God:—Its God and thine, O Man, and He }

In this thy Fellow-Creature lets thee see, }

The wond’rous Change which is ordain’d for thee. }

Thou too shalt leave thy reptile Form behind, }

And mount the Skies, a pure ethereal Mind, }

There range among the Stars, all bright and unconfin’d. }

An Account of those Places where some Gentlemen
of the
AURELIAN SOCIETY
Have been used to collect Caterpillars, Chrysalides and Flies,
In the following Months of the Year.

MARCH.

From the 15th to the 25th of this Month, a Moth called the Orange Under-Wing, may be taken in Hornsey-Wood, and in the Fields close to the Sides thereof. It flies in the Day-time, is an exceeding pretty Moth, and not to be met with in such Plenty any where else, that I know of. The Oak-Beauty, and some other Moths are bred in this Month, but are rarely met with in the Fly State.

APRIL.

In this Month a great Variety of Caterpillars and Chrysalides may be taken by the Method already described. The Banks about the Chelsea Water-Works and such-like Places are most likely to furnish the Chrysalides of the Hawk Tribe.

At the Roots of the Elm, Lime, Willow, and Poplar Trees, you will find in this Month a Variety of Aureliæ, which will produce their Flies in the May and June following.

Be now diligent to collect Caterpillars from all kinds of Growths, which, if taken Care of, will produce their Flies a few Months hence. Towards the End of this Month some Flies may be taken in the Day-time, and some Moths in the Evening.

MAY.

This delightful Month brings forth in the Woods and Meads a surprising Variety of Flies. Hornsey, Cain, and Tottenham Woods; the Woods near Southgate; Hanging Wood, by Charlton, in Kent; Oak of Honour Wood, by Dulwich; Comb Wood, by Kingstone, in Surrey, and the Fields adjacent are all frequented by them in this Month in the Day-time as well as in the Evening; and if the Weather be fine you will never fail of Sport. Abundance of different Caterpillars are likewise to be found at this Time, such as those of the Emperor-Moth, of the Lappit, Drinker, Egger, and of Numbers of other Sorts.

JUNE.

This Month adds greatly to the Number of Flies bred in May.—From the 20th to the 30th are usually produced: in Southgate, Comb, and Oak of Honour Woods, the Great Fritillary and other fine Butterflies, with Plenty of Moths; all which may be taken in and near the Woods already mentioned.

JULY.

The first ten Days in this Month are the Time for taking the Purple Emperor-Butterfly in Comb Wood; and the Fields adjacent can furnish such a charming Variety of Moths and Butterflies, that I do not know any Place where an Aurelian can spend a Week with more Satisfaction and Assurance of Success. As soon as the Purple Emperor-Butterfly begins to grow bad, the Time comes on when the second Breed of the Swallow-tail Butterfly is quite fresh, as also the Great Tortoise-shell, Peacock Butterfly, &c. About the Middle of this Month you may find the Great Red Underwing and the Goat-Moth standing against the Willow-Trees which usually grow by the Sides of Ditches about the old Barge-House, Rotherhith, Vauxhall, and likewise in other Places. Seek also for the Caterpillars that produce the Great Elephant and Gold-Spot Moths: the most certain Places to find which, that I know of, are by the Sides of the Ditches in Rotherhith Marshes. The Caterpillars that produce the Elephant Moth feeds on the White Ladies Bedstraw, those of the Gold-Spot on the Great Water-Grass. I have taken the Gold-Spot Chrysalis and Caterpillar likewise in the low Grounds by Vauxhall in Surry.

AUGUST.

At the Beginning of this Month may be found amongst the Willows, about the Banks by the Chelsea Water-Works, the Caterpillars that produce the Eyed-Willow and Poplar-Hawks, also the Buff-Tip-Puss, &c. and from the 20th to the 30th the Admirable Butterfly, &c.

SEPTEMBER.

If this Month proves fine, a great many scarce Moths are to be taken in the Evenings, and the second Brood of the Comma-Butterfly, as well as some other Flies, present themselves. Caterpillars are likewise to be got in Plenty off the Oak, Black-Thorn, and a Variety of other Foods; and these, if taken Care of, will produce scarce and valuable Flies in the succeeding

Spring. From the End of this Month to the Middle of March
there are but few Flies that frequent the Fields; altho’
I am of Opinion that some Moths are
bred in every Month of
the Year.

In order to oblige such persons as may be desirous
To make a COLLECTION of
MOTHS and BUTTERFLIES,
Though unacquainted with the Manner how,
It is judged proper to lay down the following
DIRECTIONS.

Provide yourself with a Net made of Muschetto Gause, and in Shape like a Bat-fowling Net; let its Length be one Ell, the Width at Bottom three Quarters of a Yard, at Top half a Yard, and cut circular; this must be sewed to a Tape or Ferret, that it may be fastened to a couple of Hasle or other Sticks five Feet long each, the upper Part whereof should be bent circular to fit your Net.

You must likewise have a Stick of Hasle, or any other Wood, about five or six Feet in Length, wherewith to put the Flies and Moths on the Wing, by beating the Boughs, Hedges, Shrubs, or other Growths you are near, so that you may be better able to see and take them.

Furnish yourself likewise with Boxes of such Sizes as will go into your Pocket, let them be lined at the Top and Bottom with Cork; be also provided with a Pin-cushion, well stock’d with different Sorts of Pins.

These Things being in readiness, go into the Woods and Fields thereto adjacent (always placing yourself where the Sun has most Power, and the Wind the least) also into Chalk-pits, rough Grounds, Lanes, &c. In all which Places, if it is a fine Day, and a proper Season of the Year, you’ll find Plenty of Sport.

When you have taken a Fly in your Net, lay the Net flat on the Ground, which will prevent the Fly from fluttering, then put the Fore Finger of your Left Hand under the Fly, and with the same Finger of your Right Hand give it a squeeze on the Back or Chest, and that will kill it; be careful, however, not to press too hard, least you damage the Fly. This done take a Pin and run it through the Body, betwixt the Wings, letting that Side be uppermost which is most beautiful; then stick it in your Box, and look for more Sport.

Having collected such a Number of Flies as you think proper, and being returned home, look into your Boxes, and observe which of them are fit to set: such as you find dead and not stiff are so.

Then (having prepared before-hand two or three Boards covered with Cork, of about ten Inches by sixteen in Size, or as you find most convenient to place your Flies in order on and extend their Wings in the best manner: by the Assistance of little Braces made by cutting a Card into Lengths or Slips, with a small Pin thrust through the End of each) proceed to manage them as follows:

Take a Fly out of your Box: see if the Pin be run through it perpendicularly: if so, stick it on one of your setting Boards, and with the Point of a Needle (which must be fixt into a small Stick, or what else you like best) extend one Wing leisurely, till such Time as the Point thereof is even with the Nose of the Fly you are setting. That done, fix one of your Card Braces gently on that Wing, to prevent its giving way; serve the other Wing in the same manner, and your Fly will appear extended as in the Paintings. Let the Braces remain on the Wings of Butterflies a Fortnight, on those of great Moths a Month. Take Notice, however, that a great Number of small Moths must be set in your Boxes in the Field, otherwise your labour will be lost; you’ll presently know which these are, by observing them to be dead and almost stiff; so that it is proper to carry always about you a little Box of Card Braces for this Purpose.

The Way to preserve your Flies, after you have taken them from your Setting Board.

If you put them in Drawers, Boxes, or Frames with Glasses before them, its proper to get some Camphire, which inclose in small Muslin Bags, and fasten it to those Places where your Flies are; by this Means you will destroy those Insects that would otherwise injure your Flies; and by renewing now and then this Method, I am convinced your Flies may be preserved several Years. The Months in England that produce the greatest Variety of Flies, are April, May, June, July, and August, especially of the Butterfly Kind; and for Moths, I am of Opinion, that there are many different Species produced all the Year round. The best Time to take the greatest Variety of Moths, is for one Hour after Sun-set, and the properest Places are in and by the Sides of Woods, Gardens, Green Lanes, &c. where with your Net you’l seldom fail of Sport. Thus much seemed necessary to say in Respect to taking Insects in the Fly State, and more would be superfluous.

But as it may be agreeable to some to breed the Flies themselves from the Caterpillars, I shall likewise give the best Instructions I am able for that Purpose.

In the Spring and Autumn Season you may collect great Variety of Caterpillars, by spreading a Sheet under Oak-Trees: then beating the Boughs, many Caterpillars will fall, which if taken Care of, will produce scarce and valuable Moths; you may also obtain by the same Means Caterpillars from the Black-Thorn, White-Thorn, Bramble, Chickweed, Willow, and many other Growths.

When you have collected a Number of Caterpillars, and remark’d the Food you found them on, put them into Boxes, which prepare as follows: Take a Deal or Wainscot Box, cut a large Square out of the Top and Bottom, cover the Place cut out with a Piece of Crape Hatband, glewing the same all round to prevent any Escape. This done, put your Caterpillars into the Box, with some of the same Food you found them on, giving them, if you can, fresh every Day. Here you’ll find them feed and thrive; and after changing their Skins (some five and some six Times) they will go into the Aurelia State, and there remain for a certain Time, some much longer than others; but in about fourteen Days from this last change you may look into your Boxes, to see if you have any Flies bred; remembring that out of such as are produced in this manner, much more perfect Flies may be chosen, than any that can be caught; and as several Sorts of Caterpillars go down into the Earth, and there change to Chrysalis, some Earth must be put into the Boxes for that Purpose, at least two or three Inches deep. Never take the Chrysalides out of the Earth, nor disturb them till the Flies are bred.

There is yet another Thing proper to be known, in order to compleat your Collection. A great Number of Caterpillars go into the Earth, and there change to Aureliæ, whose Moths are seldom upon the Wing till Night; these Aureliæ are to be got by digging with such a Trowel as the Bricklayers use, about the Roots of Trees, such as Oaks, Elms, Limes, Poplars, Willows, &c. also by the Sides of Walls and Pales. The usual Time to dig for them is from September to March.

When you have obtain’d a Number of Aureliæ by digging, you must provide for them thus: Get some Earth and scowering Sand, mix them well together, and put the Mixture into some large Garden Pots; lay your Aureliæ thereon, covering them with Moss; then sew a Piece of Crape Hatband round a small Hoop, and put such a Cover on each Pot, in order to receive the Flies when bred, which will usually be in the Months of March, April, May, and June. I have always kept my Pots of Aureliæ out in the open Air, and the Flies have been produced with great Success; however it may be proper to place a Piece of Board over each Pot, to prevent unforeseen Accidents.

Those who think proper to put these Directions in Practice, will, I am convinced, in a short Time, be possessed of a great Number of valuable Flies. What Food the Caterpillars mentioned in this Work chuse to feed on, the Time when they change into Aureliæ, and when they issue forth
in the Fly State, may be seen
in the Description of
each Plate.

ERRATA.

Page.	Num.	Read.	Instead of
8	XVII	Chrysalis	Chrysalisis
11	VI	nigra	alba
18	II	Cl. 3. S. A. 2.	Cl. 3. S. E. 1.
20	VII	form	from
23	XIII	to	o
49	I	Sect. a.
51	V	Cl. 2. S. a. 5.	Cl. 2. S. a. 2.
52	I	4 The Great } Fox-tail Grass.}
53	IV	Cl. 2. S. b. 4.	Cl. 2. S. a. 4.
62	III	Cl. 1. S. a. 3.	Cl. 2. S. a. 4.
63		of Butterflies	of Caterpillars

On the Plates.
38	I	Cl. 1. S. b. 1.	Cl. 1. S. a. 1.
38	II	Cl. 1. S. b. 2.	Cl. 1. S. a. 2.
42	I	Cl. 2. S. a. 1.	Cl. 2. S. 1. b. 1.
42	II	L. I. Ch. III.	L. I. Ch. II.
62	II	Cl. 1. S. a. 2.	Cl. 1. S. a. 1.

A Synoptical TABLE of the Moths and Butterflies contained in this Work.

CATERPILLARS.
	Producing Moths.
		Having circular Rings or Joints.
			Naked.
				Without Protuberances.
					The great yellow Underwing. The Wild Arrach. The AngleShades. The Pease Blossom. The small green Oak Moth. The small Ermine Moth. The Broom Moth. The sallow Moth. The Codling Moth. The Province Rose Moth. The Scallop-wing’d Oak Moth. The Black-thorn Moth. The green Moth with silver Lines.The Ranunculus Moth. The Water-Betony Moth. The smallElephant Moth. The Gold-spot Moth. The Sword-grass Moth.
				With Horns on the Tail.
					The Jessamine-Hawk Moth. The Unicorn, or Bindweed-Hawk Moth.The Privet-Hawk. The Olive-shades, or Lime-Hawk. The EyedWillow-Hawk. The Poplar-Hawk. The Ladies Bedstraw, orElephant Moth.
				With one Protuberance on the Rump.
					The Ealing’s Glory.
				With two or more Protuber.
					The Ozier, or Pebble Moth.
				With Shoulders rising into an Angle.
					The Puss Moth. The Wild Rose Moth.
			Having little Hair.
				Without Protuberances.
					The Goat Moth. The Emperor Moth. The Plumb-Tree Moth.
				With Protuberances.
					The Willow Red-Underwing.
			Having much Hair.
				Without Protuberances.
					The Great Tyger. The Cream-Spot Tyger. The Scarlet Tyger. TheBlack Arches. The Great Ermine Moth. The Spotted Buff Moth.The Gipsey Moth. The Buff Tip. The White Satin Moth. TheLacquey. The Great Egger. The Grass Egger. The December Moth.The Spotted Red and White Underwing. The Wood Tyger. TheMother of Pearl Moth. The Yellow July Oak Moth. The smallEgger. The Fox-coloured Moth.
				Having Rings of different Colours.
					The Cinnabar Moth.
				Having indented Marks.
					The Bramble Moth.
				Having fleshy Protuberances on the Head, Back, or Tail.
					The Lappit-Moth. The Drinker. The Yellow Tail. The Dagger Moth.The Wild Pine Tree Lappit-Moth.
				Having many Tufts of Hair.
					The Black Tussock. The Yellow Tussock. The Red Spot Tussock. TheOrange Tussock. The Nut-Tree Tussock. The Sycamore Tussock.
		Half Loopers.
			Having 8 Feet, 2 Holders, 6 Claws, and with Protuberances.
					The Crimson Underwing.
			Having 4 Feet, 2 Holders, 6 Claws. Hairy.
					The Silver Y Moth.
		Loopers.
			Naked.
				Without Protuberances.
					The Brindled Beauty. The July Arrach Moth. The Mottled Umber.The July Sallow Moth. The Buff Argus. The Green Broom Moth.The Lime Moss Moth.
				With Protuberances.
					The Spotted Elm Moth. The Swallow-Tail Moth. The October Moth.The Brimstone Moth. The Scallop-winged Moth. The Richmond Beauty.The Hawthorn Moth.
			Hairy.
				Without Protuberances.
					The large Magpye, or Curran Moth. The Gooseberry Moth.
				Having Tufts of Hair.
					The Brindle Moth.
		Shaped like Wood-lice.
					Small Oak Egger-Moth.
	Producing Moths whose Generation is unknown.
					Glory of Kent. Cleifden Nonpareil.
	Producing Flies between the Moth and Butterfly.
					The Burnet Moth.
	Producing Butterflies.
			Smooth.
				Without Protuberances.
					Swallow-Tail Butterfly. Brimstone Butterfly.
			Having little Hair.
				Producing round-winged Butterflies.
					White Butterfly with black Veins. Large white GardenButterfly. Small white Garden Butterfly. White Butterfly withgreen Veins. Orange Tip, or Lady of the Woods.
				Producing scallop-wing’d Butterflies.
					The Marmoris, or Marble Butterfly. The Meadow Brown. The GreatArgus, and Wood Argus.
				Producing Butterflies with large Heads and Bodies.
					The Grizzled Butterfly.
			Armed with Spikes.
				Whose Chrysalis hangs by the Tail.
					The Admirable Butterfly. The Peacock Butterfly. The paintedLady. The great Tortoise-shell. The Comma-Butterfly. TheGreat Fritillary. The Plantain Fritillary. The HeathFritillary. The Willow Butterfly. The small Fritillary. Thegreat Fritillary, with silver Spots.
			Shaped like Wood-lice.
					The Purple Hair-streak Butterfly. The Brown Hair-streak. Thegreen Butterfly.
	Producing Butterflies whose Generation is yet unknown.
					The Blue Argus Butterfly. The Purple High-Flyer, or Emperorof the Woods.

THE
Names of the Subscribers to, and Encouragers of,
Mr. WILKES’s Attempt towards a Natural History of
English Moths and Butterflies.

A.
His Grace the Duke of Argyle.
His Grace the Duke of Athol.
William Adams, Esq;
The Aurelian Society.
Mr. Stephen Austin.
B.
The Right Honourable the Earl of Bute.
Miss Jane Banister.
Richard Lovell Badcock, Esq;
William Berton, Esq;
John Browning, Esq;
William Bunberry, Esq;
Buckley, Esq;
Mr. Henry Baker.
Mr. Ephraim Bell.
Mr. Elias Brownsword.
Mr. Walter Blackett.
Mr. Brindly.
C.
The Right Honourable the Lord James Cavendish.
The Right Honourable the Lord Charles Cavendish.
The Honourable Alexander Hume Campbell, Esq;
Mr. Peter Collinson.
Mr. Philip Constable, Junior.
Mrs. Chandler.
Mr. Clements.
Mr. Chapple.
Mr. Chadwell.
D.
Richard Dashwood, Esq;
Peter Delme, Esq;
Mrs. Dellaval.
Mr. Davis.
Mr. Joseph Dandridge.
Mr. Dodesly, 4 books.
E.
Mrs. Susanna Eaton.
Mrs. Edwards.
F.
The Right Honourable the Lady Viscountess Fitz-Williams.
The Right Honourable the Lady Featherstone.
William Farington, Esq;
Mrs. Farmer, at Birmingham.
G.
His Grace the Duke of Gordon.
The Right Honourable the Lady Betty Germain.
John Gale, Esq;
Charles Godwin, Fellow of Balliol College in Oxford.
Captain John Godwin.
Mr. Thomas Grace.
H.
The Right Honourable the Lord Howard.
The Most Reverend Father in God Thomas, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
James Horne, Esq;
Henry Le Noy Hunter, Esq;
Mrs. Mary Vere-Hunt.
Mr. Samuel Hartley.
Mr. Hodges, 3 Books.
J.
Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Jackson in St. James’s Street, 3 Books.
K.
Mr. Thomas Knowlton.
L.
The Right Honourable the Earl of Londonderry, 2 Books.
William Lock, Esq;
Mr. James Lemon.
Mr. Samuel Lee.
M.
His Grace the Duke of Montagu.
Dr. Mead.
The Reverend Mr. Thomas Manningham.
Mr. Mauduit.
Mr. Daniel Marshal.
Mr. Miller.
N.
Her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk.
John Nicoll, Esq; of Coney-Hatch.
Miss Nicoll, at Southgate.
The Reverend Mr. John Newton, at Gloucester.
O.
Nathaniel Oldham, Esq;
Mr. Edmund Overall.
P.
Her Grace the Duchess of Portland.
Miss Phillips, Grosvenor-Street.
R.
Her Grace the Duchess of Richmond.
The Right Honourable the Lord Rolle.
The Royal Society of London.
S.
The Right Honourable the Countess of Shaftsbury.
The Right Honourable the Countess of Stamford.
The Right Honourable the Lady Diana Spencer.
The Right Honourable the Lady Elizabeth Spencer.
The Right Honourable the Lady Smithson.
Sir Francis St. John, Baronet.
Sir Hans Sloane, Baronet.
John Archer Shish, Esq;
Mrs. Smith, at Oxford.
T.
The Right Honourable the Lord Trevor.
The Honourable Mrs. Trevor.
James Theobald, Esq;
Doctor Christopher Jacob Trew, at Norimburg.
The Honourable Mr. Talbot.
James Tilson, Esq;
Miss Tasburgh.
W.
The Honourable Mrs. Walter.
Ralph Willett, Esq;
Taylor White, Esq;
Francis Whithead, Esq;
Horace Walpole Esq; of Arlington-Street.
Mr. William Wells.
Mr. Wollaston.
Mr. Woodhouse.
Mr. Whittle.
Mr. Ware.
Y.
The Honourable Mr. Yelverton, 3 Books.

BOOK I.
PART I.

The Caterpillars, described in this Book, are such as produce Moths; of which, as there is a great Variety, ’twas thought proper to range them under the following Heads or Chapters.

CHAP. I.

The Caterpillars belonging to this Chapter have six Hooks or Claws before, eight Feet in the middle, and some have, and some have not two Holders behind. Their Bodies are composed of twelve circular Joints, or Rings, conjoined by a common Membrane, which they are capable of contracting or expanding. When they would move along, they dilate the muscular Skin that separates the first Ring from the next; they advance the first Ring to a certain Distance, and then, by contracting and expanding the Skin of that Part, they move the second Ring: the same Method moves the Third, and so the whole Body marches in Succession: the Motion of their Feet and Claws corresponding with and assisting the progressive Motion of the Rings. Vide Spectacle de la Nature, Dial. I.

The Caterpillars under this Head may likewise be divided into three Classes:

I. Naked or without Hair.
II. Having little Hair.
III. Having much Hair.

The First Class, or the NAKED and without Hair, may be subdivided in the following Manner.

Class I.
Such Caterpillars whose Bodies are Smooth.

Sect. A.
Without Risings, or Protuberances

L. 1. Ch. 1.

I.

Cl. 1. S. A. 1.

The Great Yellow-underwing Moth. The Caterpillar of this Moth lives through the Winter, and comes to its full Growth in May: It is found in Gardens, and other Places, and usually feeds in the Night, as many other of the naked Caterpillars do. Indeed, were they to do otherwise, they would soon be devoured by the Birds, which are much fonder of these Smooth Caterpillars than of the HAIRY ones. In the Day, they hide themselves within the Earth, and in other secret Recesses. They feed on the Leaves of the Stock-July and other Flowers, as also on Grass, &c. They put on the Chrysalis Form, within the Earth, in May, and the Moths are bred in June. Great Plenty of this Moth, and other Species of the Yellow-Underwing, were taken feeding on the Honey Dew, on the Limes and other Trees, in the Gardens of John Philips, Esq; at Layton in Essex; they were discovered, by the Help of a Candle and Lanthorn, from Twelve o’Clock at Night till Two in the Morning; and were so fearless, that they would suffer one to take them with the Hand. At the same Time the Angle-Shade and several other Moths were taken.

See Lister on Godartius, P. 52. N. 41. Albin, P. 72. Reaumur, Pl. 14. Pag. 342. vol. 1.

L. I. ch. I.

Cl. 1. S. A. 1.

(High Resolution Image)

The Double Stock July-Flower.

Leucoium incanum, majus, variegatum, flore pleno. C. B. Pin. 201.

L. 1. Ch. 1.

Cl. 1. S. A. 10.

The PROVENCE ROSE MOTH. Rose Leaves are the Food of this Caterpillar. In the Middle of May I had some of them that changed to the Chrysalis folded in the Leaves; at the Beginning of June the Moths were bred. They may be taken in Gardens in the Evening.

See Rosel, Cl. 4. Tab. 9.

L. I. ch. I.

Cl. 1. S. A. 10.

(High Resolution Image)

The Moss Provence Rose.

Rosa, Provincialis spinosissima, pedunculo muscoso. Boerh. Ind. alter.

THEEnglish Moths and Butterflies:Together withThe Plants, Flowers, and Fruits whereon they Feed,and are usually Found.

TOMARTIN FOLKES, Esq; President,And to theCOUNCIL and FELLOWS of theROYAL SOCIETYOFLONDON.

THEPREFACE.