1895.] 71 



afforded by its vivid coloration. It is rejected by European birds, 

 lizards, frogs, tree-frogs and certain unidentified spiders. It is eaten 

 by the toad, insectivorous monkeys and certain exotic birds. 

 According to his observations : — 



1. The caterpillar takes precautions to conceal itself. It is not 

 readily found unless abundant. When half-grown it lies along the 

 edge of the leaf, adapting its body to the irregularities of outline ; in 

 this position the colour is protective. When older, it lies under the 

 leaves or at full length along twigs in the lower part of the bush. 

 AV^hen shaken, it falls, rolling in a ring which simulates a patch of 

 bird-dropping, a position maintained for some time. 



2. The pupa is mimetic, simulating the abdomen of certain Ves- 

 pidce. [This has been noticed by Poulton.] 



eS. The larva is disregarded or rejected by tortoises, by Coluber 

 cBsculapii, and Lacerta muralis. It is seized and rejected by frogs. 

 Of these facts, which agree with previous observations, Plateau prefers 

 to offer no explanation. Newts endeavour to devour the larva, but are 

 apparently unable to penetrate its thick skin, and subsequently reject 

 it, but without signs of distaste. 



4. In no stage has the insect any nni)lcasant taste. Plateau was 

 so bold as to masticate a newly-killed larva, and he describes the 

 flavour as being very slight, agreeable, neither nauseous, acrid, acid nor 

 bitter, without after-taste, and resembling that of the sweet almond 

 or cocoanut. The flavour of the pupa and of the abdomen of the 

 imago is similar, but more insipid. On this he remarks : " though the 

 faculty of taste in man does not possess the exquisite delicacy observed 

 in certain Mammalia, it is sufiiciently developed to show, in accordance 

 with my experiments, which any one can readily check, that the so- 

 called nauseous taste of Abraxas does not exist." 



5. Spiders usually pay no attention to the larva. They are not 

 afraid of it, but are unaccustomed to feed on caterpillars, and do not 

 recognise the movements communicated to the web. A Tegenaria 

 endeavoured to attack the larva, but was unable to pierce its thick 

 skin. Tegenaria and Epeira diadema attacked and sucked the imago. 

 Agelena labyrinthica succeeded in killing it, but was unable to suck so 

 large a prey. 



6. Both the larva and imago were devoured by Carahus auratus, 

 and the former by species of Dytiscidce. Two Carabi were ob- 

 served to dispute the possession of a larva, which was evidently 

 appreciated. 



7. Abraxas grossulariata has no special protection against the 



