NOTHS OiV LIFK- HISTORIES, LARVyf:, KTC. 147 



are a very large number of slender transverse markings (hardly ribs) 

 running very closely and parallel to each other round the egg, becom- 

 ing conspicuous where they cross the longitudinal ribs, and less so in 

 the depressions between. Twenty-five of these may be counted be- 

 tween the micropylar area and the equator of the egg. The j unction 

 of the vertical ribs on the shoulder of the ring suggests a transverse 

 ring or ridge in that area under a low power, but this disappears when 

 the egg is mounted under a two-thirds lens. [Eggs received from 

 Mr. Bacot, and described April 12th, 1897, under a two-thirds lens] , 



Catocala fiaxini. —Five eggs were examined, laid on each other, 

 their appearance suggests that in nature they would be laid slightly 

 iml)ricate, as in (/. nupta. The shape shows considerable difference 

 from that of the egg of C. nujita. It has a rounder base, is less 

 flattened, and becomes somewhat echinoid in appearance. The apex 

 (micropylar area) is flattened. The colour of the egg is orange- or 

 greenish-yellow, with bright primrose and dark purple markings 

 (= embryo). The vertical ribs prominent, with acute edges, which 

 are silvery in appearance. They vary in number, 22 and 27 being 

 counted in two different eggs, and of these four and eight respectively 

 did not reach the micropylar area. The ribs stop short on the shoulder, 

 and do not unite as in C. nupta. The micropyle is very beautiful, 

 forming a very delicate rosette, the cells composing it having silvery- 

 looking partitions. These cells are larger on the outside, and gradu- 

 ally decrease as they near the centre, where they are exceedingly 

 minute. There is a very conspicuous primrose-coloured segment of a 

 ring running round the egg for about three- fourths of its circumfer- 

 ence. This is differently situated in different eggs, and is probably 

 a structural part of the embryo, so that its position changes with 

 that of the embryo. [The eggs were sent to me by Mr. E. Harrison, 

 and described April 12th, 1897, under a two-thirds lens] . 



l'()li/!/<)iiia ci/rd. Three eggs examined. Laid singly on a rib on 

 underside of leaf of Pavietaria : not unlike a green gooseberry or 

 mountain-ash berry in shape. Green in colour, matching well with 

 that of the leaf. Vertical ribs run pretty regularly from base to the 

 edge of the micropylar area, where they end somewhat abruptly ; these 

 ribs are silvery in colour, prominent, and of very delicate structure. 

 The space between ribs finely striated transversely, but the striations 

 do not partake of the nature of ribs. The vertical ribs vary in number, 

 the three eggs examined give 9, 9 and 10 respectively. The vertical 

 ribs terminate on the margin of the micropylar area, the micropyle 

 proper- forming a little green button at the base of a somewhat shallow 

 apical depression. The cells are very minute, somewhat rounded, 

 and the whole of the depressed area has a very finely reticulated 

 appearance. The central micropylar button is slightly elevated and 

 rosette-like. The green coloration is distinctly of two shades within 

 the egg, suggesting that the latter is undergoing development. [Eggs 

 sent by Dr. Chapman, from Cannes, on April 6th, 1897. Described 

 under a two-thirds lens, on April 12th] . 



Dasi/caiiipa rubii/infa. — The newly-laid egg is of a pale yellow 

 (creamy) colour, with the vertical ribs, from base to micropyle, 

 exceedingly shiny. To the naked eye, the colour changes run in 

 sequence — yellow, orange-red, reddish-brown and purple, as the 

 clevelopment of the embryo proceeds. Under the microscope, how- 



