LARVA OF THE CIMBEX. 387 



vast number of species, one of the most remarkable of which is 

 Cimhex variahilin, also found near Hudson's Bay. This insect 

 is so exceedingly variable that its definition as a species must 

 have been most difficult. Some specimens are black, with the 

 abdomen white, except a black stripe along the centre. Others 

 are coloured after the same fashion, excepting that mahogany 

 brown takes the place of the black. Others are almost wholly 

 white, while some are black, with white or yellow stripes along 

 the sides. 



The larvae belonging to this genus have twenty-two feet ; 

 namely, six on the thorax, fourteen on the abdomen, and two 

 on the last segment. When touched they have the power of 



Fig. 186.— Cimbextrianguhira. 

 (Black, last portion of the abdomen chestnut.) 



spurting from little holes along their sides a greenish fluid, pro- 

 bably acting as a defence against enemies. Some allied species 

 have this secretion so abundant and so viscid that it perpetually 

 exudes, and when the creature is at rest makes it look just like 

 a lump of slime. 



These larvse are found on the upper surface of the leaves. 

 When they have finished feeding, they spin an oval cocoon of 

 very tough and parchment-like material, in which they pass 

 through the pupal stage. This stage is a very brief one, but 

 that of the larva is very long, the creature retaining its larval 

 form for a considerable period after it has completed the cocoon. 



As is the case with many insects, there is a considerable 

 distinction in the antennae of the two sexes in the genus of 

 which an example is given on the next page. It is a native of 

 c c 2 



