The wings of the various species are smooth and more or less glossy, and the front pair are generally crossed by several wavy lines. Many of the moths, and particularly those known popularly as the Pugs, are very small. Representatives of the family are to be met with almost throughout the year--from early spring to the middle of the winter. Most of the caterpillars are rather long and slender, and without humps; and green is the prevailing colour. They feed either on trees or low plants, often protecting themselves in folded leaves; and some of the smaller species show a decided preference for flowers and seeds. We shall select about a dozen of the commonest members for individual description. _The November Moth_ (_Oporabia dilutata_) Our first example is the November moth--a rather dingy and very variable species that may be found almost everywhere in October and November. The ground colour of the fore wings is dingy grey, crossed by several darker lines, subject to considerable variations. The hind wings are paler, with two slender darker lines parallel with the hind margin. [Illustration: FIG. 194.--THE NOVEMBER MOTH.] The caterpillar feeds on many trees, the principal of which are the oak, whitethorn and blackthorn. Like the perfect insect, it is very variable in colour, but is generally of a bright green, with reddish or purplish spots on the back and sides. The spiracles are yellow or orange, and below them is a white stripe. It is full fed in June. _The Twin-spot Carpet_ (_Larentia didymata_) The Twin-spot Carpet is common throughout Great Britain, and the beginner is likely to meet with it in June and July during his first season. Our illustration represents the male, the fore wings of which are greyish brown, crossed by several dark lines, and with a double dark and conspicuous spot near the middle of the hind margin. The female is much lighter, and the markings are also lighter and less distinct. [Illustration: FIG. 195.--THE TWIN-SPOT CARPET.] The caterpillar is pale green, with a narrow whitish line along the spiracles. It feeds in April and May on the leaves of the wood anemone (_Anemone nemorosa_), chervil (_Chaerophyllum temulum_), and other plants. _The Grass Rivulet_ (_Emmelesia albulata_) We represent the genus _Emmelesia_ by the Grass Rivulet--a pretty little moth that flies in June, and which is widely distributed though not abundant. [Illustration: FIG. 196.--THE GRASS RIVULET.] Its fore wings are pale grey, crossed by several white lines, the arrangement of which may be seen in our engraving. The hind wings are of the same ground colour, but have no markings except a white wavy line near the hind margin. The caterpillar feeds during July and August on the seeds of the yellow rattle (_Rhinanthus Crista-galli_), protecting itself from its enemies by spinning together the petals of the flowers; and when full grown it changes to a chrysalis under the same cover. _The Netted Pug_ (_Eupithecia venosata_)