This same family (_Larentiidae_) is remarkable for its large number of pretty moths, popularly known as the 'Carpets,' many of which are exceedingly common in our woods and gardens. [Illustration: FIG. 201.--THE BLUE-BORDERED CARPET.] Our first example of these is the Blue-bordered, which is pretty well represented in several counties of Great Britain and Ireland. Its white fore wings are boldly marked with a blotch of greyish brown at the base, and another extending from the middle of the costal margin more than halfway across. The hind margin is marked with two bluish grey bars, separated by a white line. The hind wings are white, with a very small dark spot, and a bluish grey margin something like that of the fore wings. The caterpillar is green, with longitudinal stripes of a darker and lighter shade. It feeds in June on the alder (_Alnus glutinosa_) and blackthorn (_Prunus spinosa_); and when full grown it changes to a brown chrysalis within a light silken web. The moth flies in July and August. _The Beautiful Carpet_ (_Melanthia albicillata_) The Beautiful Carpet belongs to the same genus as _Bicolorata_. Its wings are of a rich creamy white, clouded with grey along the hind margin. The basal blotches of the fore wings are large, of a dark brown colour, and marbled with a light tint. Near the tips of these wings is another conspicuous blotch of the same colour, from which a delicate wavy dark line runs to the inner margin. A small dark spot also lies near the middle of the costal margin of each of the four wings. [Illustration: FIG. 202.--THE BEAUTIFUL CARPET.] The caterpillar is green, with a white line along the spiracles, and a triangular reddish spot on the back of segments four to ten inclusive. It feeds on the bramble (_Rubus fruticosus_), raspberry (_R. Idaeus_), and wild strawberry (_Fragaria vesca_). It may be found in June and July. The moth flies in June. _The Common Carpet_ (_Melanippe sociata_) The genus _Melanippe_ contains twelve species, some of which are extremely common. One of these moths--the Common Carpet--is represented in fig. 203. Its wings are all of a smoky-brown colour, crossed by numerous white lines, the arrangement of which may be gathered from our illustration better than from a written description. It is a double-brooded insect, appearing first in May, and then again about the end of July. [Illustration: FIG. 203.--THE COMMON CARPET.] The caterpillar is mottled with shades of brown and grey. On the back are five or six greyish-white lozenge-shaped marks, and there are a few white dots on the back of each segment. It feeds on the hedge bedstraw (_Galium Mollugo_), and when full grown it changes to a chrysalis in a light cocoon on the ground. _The Silver Ground Carpet_ (_Melanippe montanata_)