A DESCRIPTION OP THE LARVA AND PUPA OF DAPHNIS NERII. 37 



some time on the lower slopes that lead up finally to that magnificent 

 rock-mass, the Aiguille du Dru. The whole of the slopes between 

 here and the Chapeau forms a by no means bad collecting-ground, 

 although rough and difficult of access. Among the species that 

 constituted my bag, I found ('oenonyinplta satyrio)! not uncommon, 

 SyrichthuH alvens, fine large examples, Melitaea aiirinia var. iiicrojn', 

 Chrysophanns hippotho'e, Erehia inelawpus, K. yoante, E. styyne, E. veto, 

 E. tyndariiii, Thynieliciis lincola, Polyoininatus optilete, &c., and, also, 

 quite unexpectedly, a beautiful Colias ednsa ab. Iielice, whilst among 

 the moths, Larentia ribicaiia, L. caesiata, and Setina aiirita, with 

 one or two species of Pyralids, were all 1 appear to have captured, 

 but, as I stated before, it was a recognised holiday trip, and insects 

 held quite second place. 



Quite unexpectedly, for I had not at first intended to go to 

 Chamonix in 1903, I found myself taking the same walk on almost 

 the same day of August this year. Strangely enough, some of the 

 insects observed last year were not seen, whilst others were more or 

 less abundant. I crossed the Mer-de-Glace almost directly after my 

 arrival, and spent a longer time on the slopes of the other side. This 

 time I found Erebia )iidatiipiiH and E. tyndariiR in abundance, some of 

 the latter specimens with no fewer than four spots on each of the 

 forewings, whilst E. mnestra and E. mmito were in good condition — 

 the latter not at all uncommon on the slopes directly at the com- 

 mencement of the Mauvais Pas. On the other hand, only a single 

 E. epiphrun was observed. Pawphila comma, too, was in abundance, 

 much more so than SyricIit/iuK alreus. and Cuenonympha satyriun was 

 not uncommon, but rather badly worn. Polyomvmtns coryJon was 

 the only blue observed, but ('Iirymphaniis phlaeas and 0. rinjaureae 

 were both taken, as also Avere Pbisin intrrroyatioius and Setina atirita, 

 whilst Eidonia hrxnneata was abundant among the alpine rhododendron. 

 Aylai^ urticae and Avyynnis niohc were abundant round the Chapeau, 

 whilst directly below, Erebia yoante was frequent and a single Parnaasiux 

 apollo was taken, and two or three Anthrocera purpuralis and 

 A. transalpina were added to the bag. Possibly the difference in the 

 captures made was due largely to a difference in the season, for 1903 

 was cold, late, and unsatisfactory everywhere through the Alps during 

 the last summer. At any rate, I feel convinced that the morainic 

 slopes above the Mauvais Pas would prove in a good season to be 

 quite one of the best lepidopterological localities in the famous 

 Chamonix district. 



A description of the larva and pupa of Daphnis nerii (idth plate). 



By J. C. DOLLMAN, F.E.S. 



On October 9th, 1903, a fine larva of Daphnis nerii was kindly 

 sent to me by Mr. H. Powell, of Hyeres. It was not a larva of the 

 typical green and yellow form, but of the scarce variety, which is 

 mainly fawn and soft liver-coloured in appearance. When extended 

 it was rather more than 4in. in length, lithe and slender of form, and 

 of great grace and daintiness in construction. The head was small 

 and oval, to be partly received into the prothoracic segment on 

 occasion, which was just sufficiently large so to take it. The 

 segments sharply increased in size to that of the first abdominal, and. 



