82 THE entomologist's record. 



pale segments among the segments, are the whitest in those 

 intermediate varieties which are the most numerous. In some> 

 for instance, the inter-trapezoidal area is quite white on the 

 pale segments, but has a line on the dark segments separating 

 the anterior from the posterior trapezoidal ring. 



After the third moult (in fourth skin) the orange line is 

 broader, the w^hite markings of the back are much as in the 

 previous skin, but more pronounced, in that the darker forms 

 are less numerous and the white marks less clearly result from 

 rings round the tubercles ; the hairs and tubercles are still 

 black. There is now a distinct trace of the ruviicis form, that 

 is, the 5th segment is the largest, and the 12th is unduly large 

 for its position in a dwindling series. After the fourth moult 

 (in fifth skin) the larva loses the riiviicis form, there are now 

 shorter whitish barbed hairs plentifully intermixed with the 

 black ones. These were indeed present in many larvae in the 

 previous skin, and give the larva a hoary look. It is very 

 possible that in some individuals this skin is the last, as in the 

 other species of Viniinia, but I failed to detect an instance, 

 probably because I was not on the look out for it ; and in 

 actual practice it is no easy matter to be sure of the number 

 of moults of more than a few specially watched individuals. 



I have kept no detailed description of the full-grown larva : 

 it has no rmnicis outline, though it is thickest at the 5th seg- 

 ment, the white hairs largely overpower the black ones in 

 giving the general tint of the larva, and the white marking is 

 even more variable in amount and distribution than in the 

 third skin. A few larvae are almost entirely creamy white, 

 others have a trefoil white mark on each segment, and a few 

 have even less white coloration. 



The cocoon is of similar construction to that of rmnicis, the 

 silk is paler, but not so pale as in auriconia, where it is some- 

 times quite white ; cocoons from Rannoch have usually bits of 

 burnt heather attached to them ; why the larva should select 

 places where the heather has been burnt to pupate in is not 

 clear. Most probably we get such cocoons because those in 

 such situations are more easily seen and collected. There is 

 at the top of the cocoon a weak place left for emergence, the 

 external debris is brought together closely, but silk is sparingly 

 used ; there is, however, nothing that can be called a valve or 

 lid. 



The pupa is black, ver}- like that of riniiicis, but less pro- 

 nounced in its markings and processes. The knobs between 



