94 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



furnished us with an electrotype of the plate for the use of this journal. The 

 smaller figure is the natural size of the bug, the larger one a magnified 

 representation of the same. W. Saunders, London, Out. 



HINTS ON DESCRIBING CATERPILLARS. 



BY W. SAUNDERS, London, Ont. 



When comparing descriptions of larvse made by different writers, the labor 

 of the student is often greatly increased by the want of order and method in 

 their compilation. With a view of simplifying details and lessening labor, 

 the following suggestions are offered, with the hope that they may serve to 

 stimulate some to enter earnestly into this interesting branch of our favorite 

 study. 



W T hen we take up a caterpillar with the intention of describing it, the 

 many ornamentations, markings and diversities of color belonging to it, are 

 sometimes quite confusing, unless we begin to classify them, when the most 

 complex appearance is soon markedly simplified. We have for some time 

 past made it a rule to take descriptions precisely in the following manner 

 and order. First, the full length of body when in motion ; then form, 

 whether cylindrical, onisciform, or otherwise; if strongly annulated or ringed, 

 a note is made of that also. 



Beginning: with the head, which we call the first segment — making the 

 total number thirteen — take first its size, large, medium, or small. Next 

 form, flattened, rounded, or pointed, and whether strongly bilobed or not. 

 Then color, markings and appendages, such as spines or hairs; giving also 

 the color of mandibles. 



Commencing the body with the upper surface, give first its general color: 

 next markings, such as stripes, lines or spots, working from anterior to pos- 

 terior segments; then ornamentations or appendages, such as hairs, spines, 

 horns, tubercles or granulations, with their size, form and color. 



Under surface — first general color, then markings, &c, finishing with color 

 and form of feet and prolegs. 



By steadily observing a particular arrangement of this sort, descriptions 

 may readily be compared with one another and their identity or distinctness 

 established with little labor. 



It is also an excellent plan to underline some of the most prominent and 

 striking features in the appearance of a larva, by which one may often at a 

 glance decide whether it is likely that a certain caterpillar before you is 

 or is not identical with a particular description. In Stainton's " Manual of 

 Butterflies and Moths" tins plan is carried out, and the prominent charac- 

 teristics thus given in a few italicised words will frequently relieve one of 

 the labor of reading a description throughout. 



