1867. J 277 
generally stretched out close to the surface of the twigs, and assimilated well with 
them ; as their size increased, so in proportion they became quieter, and at length 
even lethai'gic in their demeanour, each individual having a separate residence. 
On ai'riving at maturity they spun a loose kind of hammock amongst the oak 
leaves, and therein changed to pupae of a purplish-red colour, covered with a 
delicate violet bloom. The moths appeared towards the end of July, 
The full-grown larva, when stretched out, measures two inches or two inches 
and a half in length ; its walk is a half looping motion, sometimes retaining that 
posture in feeding, though generally it closely embraces the twig, its body being 
extended; and its head erected to the edge of a leaf. 
In form it is rounded above and flattened beneath, and tapering towards each 
extremity. The head is broad, rounded, slightly elevated, and indented on the 
crown, and is a trifle larger than the second segment. There is a transverse dorsal 
hump on the ninth segment, and the twelfth also appears slightly humped, but the 
thirteenth is much depressed. The thoracic segments are deeply wrinkled, the 
others plump and deeply indented at the divisions. 
Tubercles conical, and terminating in a very short sjoiky bristle, six on each 
segment, viz., two lateral and four dorsal, the hinder dorsal pairs being much the 
largest. 
In colour, the head is of a deep dull red, brighter on the face ; the edge of the 
crown bordered with black, and edged beneath in the centre with pale ochreous, 
and on each side, just below this, a black spot. The thoracic segments much 
sufl"used with greyish-brown ; tubercles and markings rather indistinct. 
The gi'ound-colour of the body is pale ochreous, pale brownish, or gi-eyish- 
ochreous ; a large bright pale ochreous patch on the fifth segment, occupying its 
anterior dorsal surface, and extending a Httle down each side of it. There is a 
purplish-brown or grey blotch transversely sufliised on the hinder part of the ninth 
and beginning of the tenth segments, and following on the latter a paler patch. 
A similar dark blotch on the chief portion anteriorly of the twelfth segment. The 
dorsal and sub-dorsal stripes iJiarplish-browu, or brownish-grey, with a narrow line 
of pale ground-colour between themj the sub-dorsal stripes have the tubercles 
placed thereon, and the stripes widen round the bases of the tubercles. There are 
two similar lateral stripes, the lowest not very distinct, owing to the aggregation 
of dark atoms along the sides, all the stripes being composed of minute spots. 
Sometimes faint indications occur of greyish transverse bands on the sixth, 
seventh, and eighth segments. Tubercles deep glossy-red posteriorly, and black 
anteriorly, but sometimes all are black, except those on the twelfth segment. 
Spiracles du-ty wliitish or brownish, margined with dark brown. Filaments pinkish- 
grey. The ridge of the hump on the ninth segment has generally a very pale 
blotch of the ground-colour, divided by a narrow transverse black mark between 
the tubercles. Belly pale greyish with dark red spots. — Wm. Buckler, Emsworth. 
Notes on the respective larvai of Thera simulata, obeliscata,* and finnata. — The 
larvaB of these species have all been described before, but the object of the following 
* I learn from Mr. Doubleday that the T/i. variata of the last edition of his list is unqnestionably 
Hiibner's obeliscata, which is probably distinct from variata S.V. Among hundreds of obeliscata, Mr. 
Doubleday has never met with a specimen approaching tlie typical variata m colour, which is always 
of a greenish tint.— J. H. 
