

424 LORD WALSINGHAM ON THE GENUS ANAPHE. 



to preserve the chrysalis from the attacks of enemies, and probably also against extreme 

 changes of temperature." 



It may be noticed that this description applies in almost every detail to the specimens 

 under consideration, but I would point out one exception. 



The plan adopted by the numerous members of this South-African insect republic 

 appears to have been based upon a more perfect recognition of the equal rights of indi- 

 viduals. There is no necessity under their system to trust to the retarded development 

 of those situated towards the interior of their habitation. There are two outlets, and the 

 inhabitants have ranged themselves in two almost equal bodies in such a manner as to 

 secure to each moth a ready means of egress from one or other of these openings. The 

 points of the numerous cocoons are all directed as nearly as possible towards the nearest 

 available outlet, and a separate silken passage seems to have been prepared for the ac- 

 commodation of each occupant, so that the foremost ones in no way block the way of those 

 situated behind them. Some few of the moths which appear to have been unable to get 

 out, are probably those of which the larvie were somewhat starved, and therefore imper- 

 fectly developed, and which were thus not upon equal terms with their more advanced 

 companions. There are probably some Fellows of the Society who are better capable of 

 judging of the quality of the silk than myself. It seems to me to be extremely 

 strong and tough, although, except on the external covering of the colony, it is not 

 particularly coarse. On winding a small quantity, it appeared to be perfectly con- 

 tinuous, but not easily run off. Although there is far less in quantity on each 

 separate cocoon than on those of Bombyx mori and other silk-producing Bombyces, the 

 immense number of cocoons in each colony might not impossibly render it of some 

 economic and commercial value. A silk-plantation on the high lands of Natal would 

 certainly be a pleasant and healthful field of enterprise, and might perhaps turn out to 

 be a profitable one. 



The only description I have been able to find of a larva of the genus Anaphe is given 

 by Carl Fromholz in a paper in the ' Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift,' Bd. xvii., 

 1883, Heft i. pp. 9-13, which is illustrated by an octavo plate. This larva was supposed 

 to be that of Anaphe panda, and the large cocoon figured on the plate was evidently 

 made by this or some allied species, but the specimens came from the interior of Africa, 

 250 miles from Dara Salam, and the moth does not appear to have been actually identi- 

 fied. This larva was described from the dead, and somewhat shrivelled specimens which 

 reached the author, as " yellowish white," which by no means agrees with the colour of 

 those now exhibited. 



The examples now figured were preserved by a process which I have successfully 

 applied to those of the majority of the British Macro-Lepidoptera, as well as to numerous 

 exotic species. They have the head black, divided by a narrow pale line along the middle ; 

 the second segment, with two narrow transverse horny plates, separated from each 

 other in the middle, and a narrow black horny plate on the anal segment. The body is 

 of a purplish vinous colour, slightly paler between the segments, witli a faiutly indicated 

 pale line above the black spiracles, and some pale yellowish white spots at the junction 

 of the segments below them. 



