84 ON SOME LEPIDOPTEROUS LARV^. 



general rule that a wounded larva is doomed, and never 

 recovers. In the breeding-cages, therefore, they should be 

 disturbed as little as possible. The leaves on which they 

 rest should be cut off with a pair of scissors and laid on the 

 new branches provided for their food, whilst, if they must 

 be moved, they should be gently lifted with a camel's-hair 

 brush. 



Numerous experiments have been made at different times 

 with larv9e to ascertain which kinds are eaten by birds and 

 animals and which are distasteful or inedible ; and it has 

 been found that these hairy larvse are in most cases re- 

 fused, though there are instances wliere birds have eaten 

 them after carefully rubbing off the hairs. Dr. A. G. Butler 

 mentions the case of a skylark which he tried with hairy 

 larvae, and which devoured some of them, but died soon 

 afterwards, showing symptoms of acute inflammation ; whilst 

 Professor Poulton records that a lizard with which he ex- 

 perimented seized a larva, but relinquished it after biting it 

 for some time. The lizard was evidently greatl}'- irritated 

 by the hairs in its mouth. 



Many larvse also, whether hairy or otherwise, are also pro- 

 tected by possessing a taste which is undoubtedly distasteful 

 to their enemies, and this has been conclusively proved in 

 several series of experiments carefully carried out by Pro- 

 fessor Poulton and other observers. In a large number of 

 species this unpleasant property causing immunity of the 

 larva from attack is continued into the perfect state, notably 

 so amongst the Danaidse, Helieonias, and Acrsoas, the whole 

 of which appear to be protected by nauseous taste or smell. 

 These are well-known as models, which, under natural selec- 

 tion, are mimicked or imitated by other and edible species. 

 With this, however, we must not deal now, as we are only 

 concerned with the larval stage. 



