252 THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



has two pairs of pro-legs : one pair on the anal segment, and the 

 other on the last but three. Walks geometrically, bending its 

 body thus : Q- 



May 9. — Found A. grossidariata had got a new skin, much 

 brighter than the old one, which lay beside it, fastened by the 

 anal pro-legs. It had been sluggishly reposing on the under side 

 of the box lid for some days, spinning a kind of silken carpet, on 

 which it still continues. 



May II. — In D.'s nursery-garden I took 17 Abraxas Xd^xsi'^ — 

 much to the gardener's amusement — from a gooseberry bush 

 {Ribes grossularia). Fourteen appeared to be grossulariata ; the 

 other three varied in the markings, being, one of a deeper black 

 and with the yellow stripes degenerated into occasional dots, and 

 two of a dull biack, with very little yellow indeed. In all, the 

 head and anal segment were tinged of a brick red. 



May 26. — Found three A. gross, changed to pupae, which are 

 black, banded with orange. 



June 22. — Three y^. gross, emerged from their puparia to-day. 

 Three weeks appears to be the time of their pupal existence. 

 The wings are of a pinkish white, with black and orange spots. 

 Learned its name from Wood. — \^Counl7-y Objects, 107, Knight, 

 i. //.] 



Entries after this manner, with rough drawings, which are very 

 instructive, and references to books, should be made about all 

 insects taken. It is not so much trouble as it at first appears, 

 and is repaid by the knowledge it confers. 



Collections in museums should be visited as frequently as 

 opportunity permits. When the student has no entomological 

 friends, and but few books, such collections are of the greatest 

 advantage. Suppose he has captured a moth unknown to him ; 

 it is easy to take it to the British Museum, if he live in London, 

 and by comparing it with the specimens there exhibited, to 

 ascertain its genus and species. The officials, too, are obliging, 

 and the student, if he is not too troublesome, can generally get 

 access to their private rooms. 



Insects can be collected without going to much expense for 

 apparatus. That which is most useful is described in Coleman's 

 British Butterflies, just referred to. In most large towns there are 



