\Q(j [December, 



but since that time has been sent orer from Smuatra, Java, Tcrnate (coll. Eoyal 

 Mus. Leyden), and Celebes (Mr. Snellen's coll.), and also with OjMusa magica, 

 received by Dr. Boisduval from Madagascar and Bengal (" Faune entomologique de 

 Madagascar, Bourbon et Maurice : Lepidopteres," p. 100), and by the Leyden 

 Museiun, from Java, and not from Monte Yideo as stated by Hiibucr (" Zutriige, &c.," 

 No. 268, figs. 535 and 53G).— C. Eitsema, Leyden : November, 1872. 



The larva of the Trichopterous genus Uracliycentrus, and its case. — For a long 

 time we have been aware of the existence of curious quadrangular caddis-lly cases 

 manufactured out of vegetable matters. A detailed account of several forms of these 

 cases (with notes on the dead larva; therein contained) was given by Hagen in the 

 Stettiner entomologische Zeitung for 1864, pp. 113 — 115, and he concludes by 

 hinting that they may belong to the genus Brachycentnis, the earlier stages of which 

 were unknown. In 1865, in my ' Trichoptera Britannica,' I figured (pi. ii, fig. 3 i) a 

 case of this kind, fovmd by Mr. Parfitt near Exeter, in deep running water. In the 

 No. of the Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist, for June, 1867, Mr. Eaton gave a description, 

 with figures, of the empty pupa-skin of Brachycentrus subnubilus, but he possessed 

 no information as to larva and case. I am now able to confirm Dr. Hagen's sus- 

 picions, that some, at least, of the quadi'angular cases are the work of the larva of 

 Brachycentrus. Mr. W. C Boyd finds B. suhmihilus abundantly at Cheshunt, and 

 this spring he placed several batches of eggs, laid by captured females, in an aquarium. 

 A few weeks afterwards he found numerous little caddis-worms crawling up the sides 

 of the aquarium, apparently feeding upon Conferva, and already there were indica- 

 tions that the cases they inhabited were quadrangular tubes. As time wore on, the 

 cases became more decidedly four-sided, and he then siipplied me with several 

 examples, though they were still very small. The association of these cases with 

 Brachycentrus is thus settled ; but the matter ends here for the present, for during 

 Mr. Boyd's temporary absence from home all disappeared, so that a description of 

 the full-grown larva has yet to be made. 



I have said that Dr. Hagen gives descriptions of several varieties of these cases, 

 and I am cognizant of the fact that two forms exist in Britain, yet I only know of 

 one British species of Brachycentrus. The case found by Mr. Parfitt no doubt per- 

 tains to B. subnuiilus, for he took the insect commonly near Exeter. But, in August, 

 1866, 1 found in a wood near Scarborough, at a trickling spring sopped up by a thick 

 growth of moss, several small coarsely-constructed 4-8ided cases (amongst the moss), 

 which I can scarcely believe to be made by the same species that formed the larger 

 and more delicate Exeter case : neither was the locality one in which I should expect 

 to find B. subnubilus. The history of these has therefore yet to be solved ; and it 

 may be possible that quadrangular cases are not confined to Bi-achycentrus. 



There also remains a case in my collection found by Mr. Albert MiiUcr in the 

 Bhine at Basle, which is neither quadrangular nor cylindrical, a transverse section 

 of it shewing two angular, and a third semi-circular, sides, though the materials and 

 texture are similar to those of the Exeter case, and, I think, to Mr. Boyd's cases, 

 allowing for the immature condition of these latter. — E. McLachlan, Lewisham : 

 October 8th, 1872. 



