Description of Lepidopterons Larva, 363 



the subtle bandying of words or excitement of forensic strife. Failing 

 healtii liad for some time removed him from debates. Still to the last 

 his interest in all that was going on in the scientific world never failed, 

 and nothing pleased him more than an account of the last discussion 

 at the Geological Society, or of any new work done. As a man of 

 science his place cannot be easily filled ; while many have lost a kind, 

 good friend." 



The number of Nature for August 26, contains an excellent portrait 

 of Sir Charles Lyell, accompanying a biographical notice by Prof. 

 Giekie.^- 



A list of Lyell's memoirs to the close of 1863 will be found in the 

 Royal Society Catalogue, numbering, with his elaborate works, no less 

 tlian seventy-one separate communications in his own name, and five 

 more in connection with others. 



Descriptions of Lepidopterous Larvce, with Remarks on Their Hahlls and 

 Affinities. Read before the Cincinnati Society of Natural Hidory, at 

 the regular meeting, Oct. 5, 1875. By A. G. Wetherby 



It is a fiict yveU. known to the naturalist, that the early stages, in the life 

 of all objects of natural history, have been much neglected until with- 

 in recent years. This is a fact the more to be regretted, when we con- 

 sider the important part that the morphology and embryology of species 

 now has, in determining their proper places in the great system of nature. 

 Although much more has been done in this regard, in entomology, than 

 in the other branches of zoological science, yet, much more remains to 

 be done ; not only in bringing to light fkcts in regard to new species, 

 but new fiicts in reference to those already known. Thousands of species 

 have been described from the imago, of which all the previous stages 

 are unknown, and many of the descriptions given are from single speci- 

 mens, and full of inaccuracies. Especially is this the case in reference 

 to larvae. The descriptions of the larva; of species of Sphingidce, 

 which I have lately had occasion to examine, will frequently api^ly as 

 well to one species as another. Indeed, Sphinx proper, Deilephikt, 

 Smerinthus and Sesia, are indiscriminately jumbled together, without 

 pointing out the plain differences which separate them. For purposes 

 of identification, descriptions should be as full as possible; and when it 

 is remembered, that the colors of caterpillars differ in the same stages 



<-Artisfs proofs of this portrait (engraved on steel by C. H. Jeem) may be bad at the office of 

 Nature, 29 Bedford Street, Strand, London, W. C. Price 5s. each. 



