1902J Halkett Observation of Animals. 161 



therefore prove, it touched, to be quite a formidable creature. 



The most common butterfly at the time of my visit (it was 

 July) was the White-banded Butterfly [Limenitis arthemis). Across 

 a dark brown ground colour there is on each pair of wings of this 

 beautiful species a band of white, which at intervals is interrupted 

 by lines ot the orround colour. Near the apex of the anterior 

 wings are a few white spots. Beyond the white bands on all the 

 wings are gr^en coloured spots, some of which are crescent-shaped, 

 and the posterior wings are further ornamented with bright red 

 spots All four wings are bordered with white crescent-shaped 

 spots. 



AN INTERESTING CATERPILLAR 

 {Macrurocampa marthesta, Cram.) 



Two mature specimens of the above caterpillar were found by 

 the writer on the 24th September last, one on the under side of a 

 beech leaf, the other resting on the trunk of another beech tree in 

 the same locality. This caterpillar, which is the larva of a very 

 handsome notodontian moth, is rare in Ottawa, only one specimen 

 having been collected here before, as far as is known, and that by 

 Dr. Fletcher two years ago, a moth emerging on the 22nd June, 

 1901. In colour the larvae much resemble the under side of the 

 leaf. The first specimen found was nesting along the midrib. 

 This habit has been observed before, and in view of the fact that 

 the caterpillar possesses a dorsal stripe, which corresponds closely 

 with the color of the ribs, as well also as the general colour 

 resembling that of the leaf, it is much protected from observation. 

 The larva is a rather heavily bodied caterpillar measuring about 

 an inch and a-half in length, with two slender appendages at the 

 anal end. It is said that this caterpillar when disturbed has the 

 power of throwing out, from near the head, a rather copious 

 shower of spray, or vapour, but the above two specimens although 

 irritated many times would not do this. 



Arthur Gibson, 



