1896.] 227 



preserved, nor the colour well represented, the other characteristics are often readily 

 distinguishable. In the present case the pupa-skin is most curiously interesting. At 

 first sight it appears so strikingly like that of one of the Thorn moths {Ennomos = 

 Eugonia) that any one might be deceived by the resemblance. It is rounded in 

 front like a moth pupa, rather flattened, and almost without angles or projections, 

 except that on each shoulder in front of the base of the wing-cover is a sort of 

 epaulet, a narrow transverse ridge, raised and curved back, blackish behind, pale 

 brown in front ; the wing and limb-covers are disposed closely to the body, though 

 well marked in the manner of moth pupa, and with the head and shoulder portion 

 dark brown, entirely suffused with a whitish bloom ; eye-covers densely set with 

 upstanding, short, light brown bristles ; back and abdominal segments covered with 

 rows of minute procumbent bristles pointing backward ; the colour of these parts 

 is now light brown, but in the living pupa is probably either green or yellow-brown ; 

 across each segment ai'e two rows of short black dashes, almost forming lines, but 

 not very conspicuous ; anal segment more strongly bristly, rounded up suddenly 

 beneath, the dorsal portion produced into a large, triangular, brown, horny, projection, 

 down the middle of the back of which is a deep furrow ; this projection is also 

 bristly and is terminated by a small, straight, blackish, spike, wliich is surrounded 

 by slender, but very strong, hooked bristles, by which the pupa holds its silken 

 envelope with great tenacity. In a rather strong, but rough cocoon of white silk, 

 with abundant openwork, the surface garnished with short pieces of dry grass-blades 

 and bits of moss, between which the pupa is clearly visible. Among stems of grass 

 very near the ground. — C. Gr. Bareett : September 9th, 1896. 



On the ovipositing of Hesperia comma, L. — By carefully watching a $ I was 

 able to see the manner in which it laid its eggs. It would carefully feel with its 

 ovipositor several blades of grass before selecting one on which to deposit an egg — 

 which was always laid singly, though sometimes a second would be deposited within 

 half an inch of the spot. They were laid on grass blades rather indiscriminately, 

 and also on the leaves and stipules of (ilover. The egg at first is beautifully white, 

 but after a few days changes to a light brown, or brownish-white, and is rather 

 large and conspicuous, something of the shape of a pork-pie with a small hollow at 

 the apex. In appearance it is more like a minute knob of china or chitine than 

 anything else. Under an ordinary lens it appears quite devoid of sculpture. 

 Besides the eggs, the deposition of which I watched at large, some were obtained 

 from females in confinement, and there is reason to hope that the habits of the larva, 

 and the state in which hibernation takes place, will soon become more fully 

 known. — A. H. Hamm, 24, Hatherley Road, Reading : September 6th, 1896. 



Acherontia Atropos at Culross, N. 5.— Yesterday morning two boys came to 

 my door here, rang the bell, and, when it was answered, asked if we had any use 

 for " this beast," opening an old meat tin. They said it was a " nightingale." Great 

 was my surprise to find a lovely specimen of Acherontia Atropos. Before putting it 

 into the killing bottle I listened for the squeaking sound it sometimes utters, but it 

 refused to speak. I do not know whether this is worth recording, but I have never 

 before seen this insect alive, and it is the first time, so far as I know, that it has 

 been taken in this corner of the Kingdom of Fife.— JoHN McGregor, West Green, 

 Culross, N. B. : September I2th, 1896. 



