1B84.] l^ 



SO nearly approaching that hue, as to appear black at a very little 

 distance) and yellow as the colours of the majority of the larvae, this 

 being particularly noticeable at high altitudes, say above 7000 feet. 

 Last summer we found, among innumerable exulans larvae on the 

 Great St. Bernard, several others simulating their general appearance 

 very closely, so that it would seem from this that there must be some 

 protective power in these colours ; it cannot, however, be any similarity 

 to their feeding-ground, as they are rather conspicuous on the bright 

 green Silene acaulis with its pretty pink flowers, and on the AlcJiemillw, 

 &c., all just refreshed after the melting of the snow, neither can they 

 be said to coincide v\ith the lichen-covered rocks, over which we have 

 noticed them crawling some distance away from us. Among others 

 we found some handsome larvae, from which the following hasty and 

 incomplete description was taken at the time. " Ground-colour velvety- 

 black with a narrow band of yellow at the juncture of each segment, 

 and a central dorsal row of yellow spots. The black spiracles finely 

 encircled with yellow are bordered above and below by a row of yellow 

 spots. On each segment are several stout fleshy black spines emitting 

 fine black hairs, which (spines) are most numerous on the central 

 segments. Head, shining black." Only one succeeded in pupating 

 and from this a shrivelled (^ Melitcea Ci/ntJiia emerged in July. The 

 pupa had a large proportion of black in it on a greyish ground, but 

 this, undoubtedly, would closely assimilate with the rock on to which 

 it would attach itself. The pupa of M. Didyma (which I have reared 

 from the Saas valley and Zermatt) is also similar to that of M. Cynfliia, 

 and in the same way would have a protective influence. Again, 

 Parnassius Apollo has a blackish-purple larva with deep yellow spots. 

 It would be interesting to ascertain whether there can be any protec- 

 tive power in these colours, as if there is, and we knew what it was, 

 Tve might then be able to account for their preponderance at high 

 altitudes. 



As my description of the larva of Calocampa vetusta found at 

 Orsieres differs from that given by Guenee, and as I have twice found 

 the same variety, it may be well to record it. " Ground-colour apple- 

 green with darker back, and pale green central stripe, on both sides 

 of which is a row of small white spots finely encircled with black from 

 the third to the twelfth segment inclusive, each row consisting of three 

 spots triangularly disposed on every segment. Spiracular stripe white, 

 edged above by a black line. Spiracles scarlet. Fore-legs yellow, 

 claspers tipped with pinkish-buff. Head yellowish. Length, about 54 

 mm. Stout in proportion." 



Augustus Eoad, Birmingham : 

 March 24th, 1884. 



