fast.] 133 



of pink and that again by a broad ring of black ; below the spiracles, 

 which are deep orange, a broad pale pinkish-yellow stripe, bordered 

 above by numerous yellow square-shaped spots ; under-surface lead- 

 colour thickly spotted with yellow; head pinkish-brown with pink 

 cheeks ; prolegs and claspers pink ; horn lead-colour with black tip. 



Far. D. — Entire surface bright pea-green ; ocellated spots with 

 black pupils, bordered by pink and black; dorsal and spiracuiar 

 stripes bright pink ; spiracles orange ; under-surface a slightly darker 

 shade of green and thickly dotted with small black spots ; head, pro- 

 legs, and claspers bright pink ; horn pink with black tip. This was a 

 very beautiful variety but it was very rare. 



This species seemed to be confined entirely to the coast line, but 

 even here it was local, though, where it occurred, it was usually very 

 plentiful. I have counted as many as twenty-one larvae of different 

 sizes on a single small bush. The young larva? feed quite exposed, and 

 on account of their brilliant colour were very easily seen, but the full- 

 grown ones, although sometimes to be found on their food-plant, were 

 oftener to be seen on the bare ground by the side of it, and they did 

 not exhibit any desire to hide themselves beneath the branches. They 

 appeared to be exempt from the attacks of birds, for notwithstanding 

 there were numerous insect-loving species constantly feeding around 

 them, I never saw one touch them. However, they had one dire 

 enemy which preyed on them and kept down their numbers, and this 

 was a horrible long-legged black spider with an immense bloated 

 abdomen, decorated on each side with a bright scarlet spot. These 

 creatures, which were said to be poisonous, dwelt in holes at the root 

 of the " Quilo," and when hungry issued forth and seized a larva, 

 although they did not seem to be able to manage a full-grown one. 

 Besides the remains of larva? I noticed dozens of dead and dried up 

 beetles in their retreats, showing that they occasionally varied their 

 diet. 



When full-fed the larva? collect dead leaves, &c, around them, 

 and spin a loose sort of cocoon on the surface of the ground, in which 

 they change to a reddish-brown pupa resembling that of C. Elpenor. 

 Sometimes I found the pupa? lying quite exposed, in no cocoon what- 

 ever, beneath the bushes, and at other times 1 came across them in 

 little holes under stones when I was looking for Coleoptera. One day 

 I found a pupa which was rather larger and more slender than those 

 of spinifascia, and in a short time it produced a fine Deilephila Annei, 

 Guer., being the only example of this species that I obtained. 



Instow, North Devon : 



May, 1881. 



