THE QUERIST. 115 



And notices of the Serials of North America, Russia, Sweden, Germany, 

 Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, and Prussia. 



Proceedings op Societies. 

 Dublin University Zoological Association for November 16th., 1855; 

 with a plate, illustrative of a paper to appear in the April number, 

 "On a Lepidopterous larva attacking the horns of the Orea canna and 

 Kolus hypsyprimnus." 



In my notice of the previous part of this work, in my criticism of the 

 review of my "History of British Butterflies," I omitted to remark 

 one matter touched on by the reviewer, namely, his observation on the 

 mistake as to the extent of the wings of the Conepterix Rhamni, speaking 

 of which he characterizes it as "odd" that Mr. Westwood should have made 

 the mistake twice, but as "truly surprising" that I, following him, should 

 have made it once. This strikes me as scarcely fair. 



€\t (tarist. 



Vegetable Caterpillar from New Zealand. — Under this title a very im- 

 perfect description is given of the growth of a fungus upon a living body. 

 The fungus is known by the name of Sphoeria. There are several species, 

 of which the following may be mentioned: — Sphoeria sinensis, a highly- 

 valued Chinese drug, which consists of a caterpillar or larva of a Lepi- 

 dopterous insect, probably a species of Agrotis, from the neck of which 

 projects the fungus designated as Sphoeria sinensis. For a fuller account 

 of this fungus, and a figure of it, refer to "Pereira's Materia Medica," 

 vol. ii., part 1, page 948. Sphoeria Taylori grows on an Australian cater- 

 pillar. I have two or three specimens of this fungus, given to me by 

 W. H. Brereton, Esq., who obtained them in Australia. Sphoeria Robertsii, 

 developed on the caterpillar or larva of Hepialus virescens in New Zealand. 

 This is probably the species referred to by Mr. Arthur Havers. For a 

 figure of it, refer to "Balfour's Class Book of Botany," part i., page 345, 

 also part ii., page 963. The growth of the fungus destroys the Caterpillar. 

 — R. Wilbraham Falconer, M.D., Bath. 



Vegetable Caterpillar. — Observing Mr. Havers' query relative to the Bullrush 

 or Vegetable Caterpillar in the last number of the "Naturalist," and having 

 in my possession a very fine specimen, together with a descriptive account 

 of the insect or plant, I send you a transcript for the information of your 

 correspondent: — "Sphoeria liobertsii. Native name Aweto or Hotito. Bull- 

 rush Caterpillar — The Aweto is only found at the foot of one particular 

 tree, the Rata. The root of the plant, which in every instance exactly 

 fills the body of the Caterpillar, in the finest specimens attains a length 



