LIFE-HISTORIES. 105 



on prothorax occupied by a raised ridge of maramillary hair- 

 bases. The hairs are bhick and still slightly thorny, but towards the 

 anus are more noticeably so. The skin-surface is black and shiny, 

 covered with a sparse coat of rather large-sized spicules. Incisions 

 between segments distinct. Large orange spots surround the dorsal 

 and lateral rows of processes, but, round the bases of the central dorsal 

 and supraspiracular rows, are spots of a semi-transparent white hue. 

 Small white spots also surround the bases of the secondary hairs that arise 

 from the general skin -surface. It is difficult to say if the primary tubercles 

 and their setfe are still present, and, if so, exactly which of the (now 

 numerous) hairs represent them. There are two single-haired tuber- 

 cles on either side of the central dorsal process which may be i, and 

 two others are behind each of the outer dorsal processes which may be 

 ii displaced, but as there are two similar tubercles and hairs inner to 

 these at the posterior part of each segment, which are certainly secondary 

 and not primary setiB, and those previously mentioned differ in no respect 

 from them, it is quite possible that they are also secondary setse. This 

 remarkable change at first moult is not confined to Melitaea, as an analo- 

 gous, if not precisely similar, change takes place in Poh/gonia ecjea and, 

 I believe, in all the Vanessids, and is almost certain to occur, also, in 

 the Argynnids. — A. W. Bacot, F.E.S., 154, Lower Clapton Eoad, 

 N.E. ^January 1th, 1903. 



Eggs of Lepidoptera, — Mellinia clrcellaris (laid October 13th, 

 1902 ; examined by lamp-light December 10th, 1902). — Laid singly, or 

 in twos or threes; very small, flattened at base ; alow, rather pointed 

 cone, tending to be limpet-shaped, but still showing a convex curve at 

 shoulder. These eggs are very beautiful objects for the microscope .; 

 of a rich purple or dull crimson colour, and slightly iridescent. The 

 ribs are small and closely set, 31 to 34 in nnmber, but they are clear 

 and sharp, the ridge of the rib forming a zigzag or crenulated line, if 

 viewed from above, as is the case with Polia jlavicincta, &c. When laid 

 in twos or threes the eggs are often imbricated. There is no regular 

 stopping point for the ribs, but they frequently join up in pairs about 

 ^ to f of their length from micropyle. Some, however, run right into 

 the small raised central button on which the micropyle is situated in 

 a slight depression. Diameter about -Smm., height about •3mm. 



Anchocelis litura (laid October 13th, 1902; examined by lamp- 

 light December 10th, 1902).— Laid in irregular masses and squeezed 

 into crevices of box. Colour, pale, dull yellow. Very irregular in 

 shape, owing to their being pushed together, but the horizontal 

 section appears to be usually more or less circular. Ribs small and 

 weak, but little removed from the primitive cell network. The longi- 

 tudinal tendency dies out at the top and base. A rosette of cells round 

 micropyle. Diameter about "Smm. to -Gmm., height usually about 

 two-thirds diameter. The egg masses are large ; I should estimate 

 about 50 to 100 eggs to be in each. 



Anchocelis pistacina (laid October 13th, 1902 ; examined by 

 lamp-hght December 10th, 1902).— Laid in irregular masses, as with^tl, 

 litura, to which the egg bears a close superficial resemblance. Evidently 

 the correct method is to lay in crevices. Colour is pale yellowish, or 

 pale, dull green. Size the same as A. litura. The micropyle is a minute 

 depression on a small, slightly-raised mound, and differs considerably 

 in appearance from that of the previous species. A close comparison 



