m 



mens arc a little stunted, expanding. from 1.40 to 1.45 inches. They agree 

 with specimens from Iceland as to general appearance and size, but are not 

 quite so dark, and have more golden-yellow specks. I have seen no speci- 

 mens from this country or Labrador with such clear markings as in those 

 received from the Austrian Alps, though the American specimens are rubbed. 

 In size, the Colorado individuals resemble the European ones. 



Larca. — " The egg is laid on the slender stalks of the wort, whortleberry, 

 or bilberry {Yaccinium Vitis-Idcea) in July and August, and the young 

 caterpillar emerges in about twelve days, but soon hybernates on the sur- 

 face of the earth, at the roots of the food-plant. It begins to feed again 

 in April of the ensuing year, and is full-fed by the second week in May. 

 It then rests on the stalk of its food-plant by day, generally with the 

 head downward, and in a perfectly straight position. On the approach 

 of evening, it turns round, re-ascends the stalk, and feeds on the leaves 

 during the night. When full-grown, the head is prone, scarcely so wide 

 as the second segment, and without any manifest notch on the crown. The 

 body is of uniform substance throughout, and having a perceptible lateral 

 skin-fold along the region of the spiracles ; each segment has a few small 

 warts, and each wart emits a short and feeble bristle. The color of the head 

 is umber-brown, in some specimens inclining to red. The body is velvety 

 red-brown or velvety olive-green. In both varieties, there is a series of medio- 

 dorsal, V-shaped markings, of great beauty. These occur on the fifth, sixth, 

 seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh segments. The apex of each mark 

 points toward the head. The sides of these marks are not cputc closed at this 

 point, but allow the passage of a fawn-colored stripe, which expands immedi- 

 ately after entering the area enclosed by the V, and is as*ain restricted to a 

 mere line, where it approaches the boundary of the segment. The remainder 

 of the area enclosed by the V is of a lovely rose-color. Each side of the V is 

 bordered with rich brown. Anterior to each V — that is, adjoining the anterior 

 margin of each segment — arc four short, parallel lines, pale in the brown 

 variety, perfectly white in the green one. The lateral skin-fold in both 

 varieties is almost white, and thrown up in bold relief by contrast with the 

 ground-color immediately adjoining it. The belly is of the prevalent ground- 

 color. The legs arc semi-transparent and pinkish; the claspers of the pre- 

 vailing ground color. It spins a slight cocoon among the leaves of its food- 

 plant, and changes to a chrysalis in May.'' — Newman! s British Moths., p. 110. 



