26 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



serratus, C. Jacohinus, Merops apiaster, Geocolaptes olivaceus, 

 Cinnyris amethystimis, Chera progne (set of 4), Laniarius 

 gutturalis, Pyrovielana aatra, Poliosjnza gulciris, Hyphantornis 

 xanthops, and Scopus umbretta ; 20 species of reptiles, including 

 8 Ophidians, 8 Saurians, and 4 Batrachians ; and 30 species of 

 butterflies, including Danais chrysippus, Meneris tulbaghia, 

 Parameis cm'dfii, Diadenia missipus, Lyccena boetica, Ily^Jolyccena 

 lara, Herpmna eripha, all from South Africa. By Mr. C- French, 

 jun. — Eggs of White-bellied Graculus and Smaller Rufous-breasted 

 Thrush from North Queensland, and egg of Crested Wedge-bill 

 from Central Australia. By Mr. R._ Hall. — Various stages of the 

 following birds : — Oceanites oceanicus, Majaquens aequinoctialis, 

 Oestrelata Lessoni, Ossifraga gigantea, Daption Capensis, and 

 Phoebetriajuliginosa. By Mr. J. A. Kershaw. — Egg oi Misocalius 

 2)aUiolatus, Lath., Black-eared Cuckoo, taken from the nest of 

 Xerophila leiccopsis, Gould, in the Wimmera. By Mr. D. 

 M'Alpine. — 10 species of fungi from Kerguelen Island. By Mr. 

 F. M. Reader. — 3 Victorian mosses new to science (with 

 descriptions for publication by Professor C. Mueller). By Mr. 

 F. P. Spry. — Upper Silurian fossils from Yarra improvements. 

 After the usual conversazione the meeting terminated. 



ON THE LIFE-HISTORY OF XENICA AGHANTA, Don. 



By J. F. H. Haase. 

 {Read hefore the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, lUh March, 1898.) 



Although a familiar butterfly, I am not aware that any previous 

 record has been made of the earlier stages of Xenica achanta, 

 Don. 



Ova. — The eggs are deposited on grass in patches of two or 

 three, side by side. In shape slightly elongated, one end 

 depressed ; colour, dirty white. When viewed under a magnifying 

 glass they are pretty objects, being beautifully ribbed and 

 glistening. 



The eggs under notice were deposited on 4th March by a 

 captive female. On the twentieth day the head and body of the 

 young larva could be distinctly seen by a powerful glass coiled 

 round the inside of egg. This was more noticeable just before 

 emergence. On the twenty-fifth day (29th March) the young larva 

 emerged. It was very interesting and amusing to watch its 

 endeavours to escape. Whether the larva eats its way out, or by 

 moving the head breaks the shell, I cannot say. When the head 

 is free it begins at once to have the first meal by eating about 

 half the shell, and sometimes completely devouring it, then, as if 

 refreshed, prepares to leave. First the little creature raises the 

 head, and lifting the front legs drags itself clear, but not always 



