116 THE QUERIST. 



of three and a half inches, and the stem which germinates from this 

 metamorphosed body of the Caterpillar is from six to ten inches high ; its 

 apex, when in a state of fructification, resembles the Club-headed Bullrush 

 in miniature, and when examined with a powerful glass, presents the ap- 

 pearance of an ovary. There are no leaves; a solitary stem generally 

 comprises the entire plant, but if any accident break it off, a second stem 

 arises from the same spot. The body is not only always found buried, 

 but the greater portion of the stalk as well, the seed-vessel alone being 

 above ground. When the plant has attained its maturity (three years) it 

 soon dies away. When newly dug up, the substance of the Caterpillar is 

 soft; and when divided longitudinally, the intestinal canal is distinctly seen. 

 Most specimens have the legs entire, with the horny part of the head, 

 mandibles, and claws. The vegetating process, it is conjectured, arises prior 

 to the insect's metamorphosis, from some seeds of the fungus getting 

 between its scales, which invariably causes its death. — William Wells, 

 Plymouth, 27th. February, 1857. 



The Vegetable Caterpillar. — This is described in "Gray's Supplement to 

 the Pharmacopeia" as the larva of Uepialus virescens, a native Moth of 

 New Zealand, and is found only at the root of the Rata tree, [Metrosi- 

 derus robusta,) a myrtaceous plant. The fungus Sphoeria Robertsii is found 

 growing on the larva. I have a specimen of one which was sent to me 

 from New Zealand. Although it is very much shrunken, there is no doubt 

 ot its having been a Caterpillar; its inside is completely filled with the 

 fungus, and from its tail has grown two stems, one of them five inches 

 long; about an inch of the top is covered with a fungus bark, which 

 gives it the appearance of a Rat's tail. I am inclined to think that the 

 Caterpillar is attacked by the parasite fungus, which spreads till it finally 

 destroys life; and then taking a firmer root in the earth, becomes an 

 independent fungus in the natural order of creation. — Sidney Style, 

 Brighton. 



Vegetable Caterpillar from New Zealand. — This so-called Vegetable 

 Caterpillar is the larva Uepialus virescens attacked by a curious fungus 

 common in New Zealand — the Sphoeria Robertsii. The growth of the 

 fungus destroys the Caterpillar. — F. M. Burton, Uppingham. 



Method of making Snow and Ice for Cases of Stuffed Birds. — In reply 

 to the query of Mr. Braim, the following recipe will be found to answer 

 the purpose: — Put a quarter of a pound of powdered alum to about a 

 pint of warm water, and leave it till dissolved; then immerse your grasses, 

 etc., and leave them till cold, when the crystals will have formed. The 

 strength of the solution must be varied according to the size of the 

 grasses, etc., used: but one or two trials will shej 



