t i 



of the line. On the lower wings only the outer line is continued, and this is angled 

 in the middle of the wing, opposite the hind angle of the wing. There is a distinct 

 discal spot on each wing, sometimes faint on the lower wings. 



Two caterpillai's sent from Victoria were cream-coloured or pale brown, mottled 

 very irregularly', with black, and could not be said in any way to resemble the des- 

 cription given by Dr. Packard from Abbott's MS. drawing. " Body yellowish- 

 green above, pale ])urpli8h below. Two fine, blackish, lateral lines, with a pale line 

 above." Although the two specimens received from Mr. Danby were compaiatively 

 fresh, and had only been in alcohol a week when received, they differed so extremely 

 from each other that no good pui-pose would be setved by giving a description, until 

 a lai'ger series was examined and described from living mateiial. This opportunity 

 I hope to secure next season from eggs sent by Mr. Danby. 



These are for the most pai-t of a reddish bronze colour, of a smooth and shining- 

 appearance; but when magnified are found to have the sui'face finely netted with 

 pentagonal cells. Length O'TS — 0*90 m m. (3J5 — gr i^^ch) of an ovate form slightly 

 flattened on the sides and abruptly flattened at the upper end. In the centre of this 

 apical area is a distinct conical protubeiance. Most of the eggs were pushed 

 beneath flakes of bark or into tufts of moss to which they adhered by their lower 

 ends or sides. From these eggs I have several young caterpillars. They are slen- 

 der, veiy elegant and active little creatures. The head black, general colour of 

 body gray, with slender lateral and t-ub-stigmatal lines, and linged with velvety 

 black. The bands on segments 4 to 9 particularl}^ the last four very conspicuous. 

 Length at birth 3^ m m. 



The chrysalis is a very pretty object. It is slender, clear white, lined on the 

 wing and leg cases with black. The rest of the body is also dotted and blotched 

 with black. The cremaster or hook at the end of the body by which it is attached 

 to the slight cocoon consists of about six small and two large hooks. The abdominal 

 rings bear several short stiflF bristles pointing backwards. 



Remedies. — The important points in the life-history of this insect, gleaned from 

 the above, are that it passes the winter in the egg state; that young caterpillais 

 are found on the trees in July, and that the chrysalids are usually in crevices of the 

 bark or under leaves on the ground. As a remedy, if it be found that the eggs are 

 chiefly laid on the trunks of the trees, spiaying these in early spring before the buds 

 burst, with a kerosene emulsion, would destroy large numbers. Pupation takes place 

 from the middle of August until September, during which time many pupae are on the 

 ground or on the trunks of the trees. Of the former, many would doubtless be 

 destroyed by pigs and chickens if they could be turned in at that time, and sweeping 

 the trunks would dislodge man}' more. Probably the most successful remedy for 

 the Park Commissioners to adopt, in future, will be a sj'stematic spiaying of the trees 

 with a very weak mixture of one of the arsenical poisons, about the time the young 

 larvae are appearing. At that time a very weak mixture would suffice (1 lb, of 

 Pai-is green to 300 gallons of water). The difficulty of throwing a spray over high 

 trees has now been solved by attaching the spray nozzle to a thin tube and then 

 fastening this to a light pole, b}^ which, and with the help of a ladder, it can be- 

 carried to any reasonable height. The small cost of a .suitable force-pump with the 

 necessary labour is a small matter, compared with the jileasuro secured for the 

 frequenters of a public park by the banishment of such a grievous pest as this. 



Parasites. — Mr. Danbj'' sent me specimens of an Ichneumon fly which was taken 

 in numbeis amongst these geometers, and which he thought might be a parasite. This 

 has been identified for me by Mr. W. H. Hanington as /. cestus. Upon one of the 

 alcoholic specimens of larvas sent I found the eg^ of a Tachina fly. I have also bred 

 from a pupa sent b}' Mr. Danby, a Fimpla with a red abdomen whi'.h Mi*- Harrington 

 tells me is undescribed. This whole subject is one of great interest, and I hope the 

 Victoria Natural History Society will woi'k it up. Besides knowledge of the para- 

 sites, animal and vegetable, information is wanting as to how it passes the time from 

 the opening of spring until August. Is it possible there are two broods ? 



tic— 12 



