210 1 February, 



The larva is very lively, about an inch in length, and of tolerable bulk in 

 proportion ; head globular and shining, small, about the same width as the 2nd, but 

 much narrower than the succeeding segments ; body cylindrical and very markedly 

 attenuated towards the extremities ; the segmental divisions are rather deeply cut ; 

 the somewhat glossy and semi-translucent skin is clothed with a few scattered short 

 hairs ; the usual dots distinct. 



Ground colour, rich reddish-pink ; the head and anal segment pale yellowish- 

 brown, mandibles and a few spots on the lobes darker brown ; the most conspicuous 

 of its markings is the broad pulsating vessel which forms the medio-dorsal stripe : 

 it is of a considerably darker tint than the general ground colour : there are no other 

 particular mai-kineis, but the sides are variegated a little with a darker shade of the 

 ground colour. Ventral surface a little paler, and each pro-leg tipped on the outside 

 with a black dot. 



Freyer describes the larva as "pale green, with several slender, rather darker, 

 lateral lines." This must have been taken from a very different variety to mine. 



Mr. Hodgkinson collected the larvoe from golden rod {Solidago virgaurea), and 

 in his note accompanying the one sent me, says, " the plants they are on are denuded 

 of flowers, as a rule, and generally shabby." He could find no larv£e on the plants 

 which were in full bloom. — G-EO. T. Porritt, Huddersfleld : December 2nd, 1875. 



On the larva of Hydrocampa nymph(nalis and its habits. — I am glad to express 

 my thanks to Mr. Henry Laver, of Colchester, for the welcome gift, on the 5th July, 

 1875, of two aquatic larvae which proved to be of this species, and also for a supply 

 of Potamogeton nutans, the plant on which he had found them feeding ; and I venture 

 to suppose that some account of my observations may perhaps be acceptable. 



These larvro — differing much in size, but, as presently appeared, both nearly 

 full-fed, the difference in size being a sexual distinction, the ? larger than the <J — 

 were inhabiting cases floating on, or near the surface of, the water ; the length of the 

 largest case was one and a half inches by three-quarters in breadth, the smaller case 

 not more than three-quarters inch long by three-eighths broad ; both of a flattish 

 and somewhat oval general figure, formed with two pieces of the Potamogeton leaf 

 placed one upon the other, and fastened together with silk at the sides ; the com- 

 ponent pieces not cut quite alike, for at one part the upper piece projected a little 

 beyond the lower, and at another part the reverse of this occurred ; these irregularities 

 of outline were most noticeable in the smaller case ; the ends of both were free, 

 though appearing to fit close ; the upper piece showing a slight convexity of surface, 

 the lower piece nearly flat, possessing much elasticity at the ends ; the edges of the 

 case were always a little submerged, and only the central convex part of the upper 

 surface would appear above the water while it was floating at the top ; when entirely 

 submerged, with the occupant hidden within, it appeared quite flat, like a mere 

 fragment of leaf, due to an optical effect of the water. 



Tliinking the larva- appeared mature, I lost no time, on the day they arrived, in 

 securing figures of them. I pushed the largest out of its case into a saucer of water ; 

 it soon ascended the side of tlie saucer, above the water, so far that only its hinder 

 segment remained immersed, and in this position, for several minutes, it kept still, 

 affording me the opportunity of a good examination. I found it to be seven-eighths 

 inch in lengtli, stout in proportion, thickest in fihe middle of the body, and tapering 



