46 HALF-AN-HOUR 



travelling with them in a closed box. How could these gentle- 

 men become aware of the presence of their partners? By 

 hearing, by smell, or by some power unknown to us. Westwood, 

 too, narrates facts of a similar kind, and refers to others (Intro., 

 M.C.I. , XL, 384). The antennae of Silkworm Moth, <^, is 

 another interesting example of corresponding formation in the 

 antennae. 



Tail of Larva of Puss-Moth, Cerura vinula (PI. VI., Fig. 10). 

 — After E. Lovett's graphic description of the habits of this 

 creature (see page 49), Uttle need be said further on it ; but we 

 should much like to see the whole tail, whip-lash, butt, and all. 

 It would not be difficult when rearing the larvae to induce one to 

 put them out ; then snip off close with a pair of sharp scissors 

 kept ready to hand for the purpose ; then mount (probably, with 

 gentle pressure). I remember an example in the cabinet of a 

 friend ; in this case, the larva was just hatched, and is preserved 

 entire (see PI. VIIL, Fig. 5). I see no reason to think there can 

 be any poisonous secretion ; for the scale-armour of the Ichneu- 

 mon, against which they are used (which, on the authority of 

 Westwood, is Ophion luteum), would suffice to shield it from such 

 injury. It appears that these whip-like organs are the last pair of 

 pro-legs specially modified! 



Lepidopterous Larva found'about Cheese (PI. VL, Figs. 1-9).- 

 Here indeed we have a puzzle presented to us, which, I fear, will 

 take a long time to unravel. Did you ever hear of a caterpillar 

 eating cheese ? I never did. And, what is more, I couldn't have 

 believed it, but that here we have the Epicurean barbarian made 

 to tell what he has been up to, as surely as any whining beggar, 

 when police action reveals the contents of his wallet, to find 

 therein all sorts of goodies, with money, banking books, and even 

 a post-office order for ;z{^io ! to pay a fine imposed by the magis- 

 trates with costs — " If anything over, the balance to be returned 

 to the sender ! " I am quoting here a literal case which occurred 

 recently in this neighbourhood (Fareham, Hants) that I was 

 reading about only yesterday. The only thing that can now be 

 done with the present fellow is to take his portrait as accurately as 

 possible, and by-and-bye some of the " detectives " in our Society 

 will find out who and what he ist 'Tis certainly a most singular 

 case ! The claws of the pro-legs very curiously resemble the 

 strings of griz^zly bear claws worn by Red Indian warriors in proof 

 of their prowess ! 



Larva of Beetle (PI. VII., Figs, i — 4). — I wish I could com- 

 municate the pleasure felt in having, after giving it a " world of 



