92 THE entomologist's record. 



trapezoidals, but the base of the trapezoid is in front, instead of at the 

 back, of the segments ; that is to say, tubercle i (anterior) is outside, and 

 only slightly in front of ii (posterior), which are close together and 

 wedge-shaped. The laterals are — the supra-spiracular (iii), large, 

 iv and v ; usually the sub- and post-spiracular are consolidated into one 

 long narrow tubercle. On 1st and 2nd abdominal segments there is 

 a double tuft of bright brown hairs, rising from between the dorsal 

 tubercles (posterior trapezoidals). Hybernating skin (? 3rd). The 

 larvffi are smaller and duller than those of P. suidlis. Tubercles very 

 large. On 1st and 2nd abdominal segments, there is a sparse dorsal 

 tuft of thorny, reddish-coloured hairs, springing apparently from be- 

 tween the tubercles, and another of rather more scattered hairs on the 

 8th abdominal. No white-plumed hairs are as yet present, but from 

 the outer margin of the dorsal tubercles there spring two or three 

 pale brown or yellowish hairs of medium length and of a feathery 

 appearance. The ground colour of the larva is almost black. Long 

 bright brown thorny hairs spring from the tubercles, and, in addition, 

 some of the tubercles bear a dense coat of very minute needle-shaped 

 darts, the bases of which end in three short prongs. It is these latter 

 hairs which, becoming detached, penetrate the skin and give rise to 

 irritation. The webs containing cast skins and the cocoons are far more 

 dangerous to handle than the living larvte, as the hairs are more 

 readily detached from the dried skins, and in the cocoons are lying loose ; 

 the slightest draught causes them to float about in the air, so that the 

 danger of them entering eyes, nose or mouth, is greatly increased. 

 In the adult plumage of the larva, the tuft of white-plumed hairs of 

 the dorsal tubercles forms a row of conspicuous white spots down 

 either side of the back. The larvse are gregarious, and live in a web 

 until nearly fully grown. 



Dasvchira fascelina. — 1st stage : dark coloured, nearly black ; 

 tubercles large and bear many hairs ; on the 5th and 6th abdominal 

 segments the anterior trapezoidals are very small, and only bear one 

 hair. The 2nd and 3rd thoracic, and the 4th and 5th abdominal seg- 

 ments, all weak, and, except the 4th abdominal, have light patches 

 dorsally. Hairs long, thick and thorny, those on dorsal area black, 

 on the lateral areas white, on the pro- thorax and the anal segment 

 they are very long ^ to i the length of larva. There are some curious 

 little club-shaped processes arising from the posterior trapezoidals on 

 the (3th and 7th abdominal segments. In their adult plumage the 

 larvae are dark coloured, and have dorsal tufts arising from each of 

 the 1st to 5th abdominal segments, each tuft being composed of a 

 dense mass of black thorny hairs in the centre, with a smaller white 

 tuft of similar hairs on either side. There is also a stout black tuft 

 or pencil on the 8th abdominal segment. 



D. puDiBUNDA. — I have no notes on the early stages of this species, 

 and only remember that it is pale green, with immensely long hairs. 

 Dr. Chapman, in his paper on " The Genus Acronycta and its Allies " 

 {Ento. Becord, vol. iii., p. 274), mentions that the 2nd and 3rd thoracic 

 and 5th abdominal segments are weak, whilst the larva in its first 

 stage is beautifully figured {Ento. Becord, vol. iv., plate ix., fig. 8), and 

 clearly shows the usual Liparid features, large tubercles bearing 

 several hairs, the anterior trapezoidals being smaller than the posterior, 

 segments very distinct, and larva, as a whole, appearing wide and 



