104 THE entomologist's record. 



Habits of Larva and Pupa of Thecla pruni. 



By S. G. C. KUSSELL, F.E.S. 



I had a very long search in the haunts of Thecla pruni for larvaa 

 of the species, but only succeeded in finding one, although I came 

 across ten pupa;. I beat out a good number of larva;, however, and 

 think that, accordingly, the larva hides successfully, although, strange 

 to say, the one I found was not difficult to see. It was quite full-fed, 

 and was reclining on the topmost sprig of a blackthorn bush, in a 

 curved position, stretched at full length, and not humped — apparently 

 feeding. I say " apparently feeding," as the larva) I kept in the 

 dark, in small tin boxes, fed freely. The larva of Zepln/rus hctnlac 

 feeds at night. Had I worked a week earlier, I must, I now believe, 

 have found larva) at rest on the front side of the leaf. One larva of 

 T. pninl that I got, which was younger that any of my others, was 

 much more deeply tinged and inarked with red. As they get nearer to 

 being full-fed, this marking seems to become more of a yellow colour, and 

 then they are not unlike (Jalldjiliri/s mhi larvfe, although darker. The 

 pupfB I found were all (except in tAvo instances) attached to the front 

 of the blackthorn leaf, and plainly visible, forming, however, an excel- 

 lent imitation of a bird's dropping. In the two exceptions mentioned 

 the pupte were attached to the tAvigs. These I exhibited at the meet- 

 ing of the Entomological Society on June 3rd last. My opinion is 

 that the larvae, during the day, rest quietly upon the upper side of the 

 leaf, and that their colour assimilates Avell with that of the leaf, and 

 that they feed and move during the night. Zcji/n/rus hetulac larv?e 

 lie under the leaf. 



Entomology and Romance. 



By JOHN BULL. 



In his article on " Entomology and Romance " {ante, vol. vii., 

 pp. 308-312), Mr. Frost complains of the want of romance in 

 scientific writings. I was always under the impression that nine- 

 tenths of entomological literature, so-called, Avas pure romance. 



FolloAving Mr. Frost's example, I find the dictionary defines 

 " romance " as "A falsehood or untruth ; fiction ; to forge and tell 

 fictitious stories," 



I think all observant naturalists Avill agree Avith me that much of 

 Avhat is called entomological literature comes very comfortably under 

 this head. Take the June number of the Kntomuhxiist. The article, 

 " Fungi parasitic on butterflies, "'•■"' is evidently pure fiction ; that " On 

 the Identification of DanaU plexijiiim " shoAVS hoAV to " forge " a good 

 story ; another, entitled " Remarks on Additions to the British 

 Lepidoptera during the past ten years," deals AA'ith the modified 

 "untruths" told by various people. Read Mr. Arkle, too, on 

 "Apterous females," or Mr. Wells on " Kimnda lirhenea larva) in the 

 NeAv Forest," and so on. 



NoAV, when a man reads fiction, he must knoAV the truth before 

 he can recognise that it is fiction. Very feAV entomologists are Avell- 

 informed about insects, hence they read fiction as if it Avere truth. 

 The humour escapes them, and they vote the fiction sad and funereal. 



*The iungi debcribed are evidently the male scent glands, or androconia. — J.B. 



