TRIFID^, 233 



certain that the larv;^ of this species are at least two years 

 feediug np. 'I'he first year they may be found wandering 

 about among short heather, Vaccinium, Arhutus uva-ursi, 

 &c., on any mountain above 2000 feet. When in their 

 second year's growth it is quite impossible to discover them 

 above ground or exposed; they feed then entirely under 

 cover in galleries, indeed I have on several occasions cut the 

 moss and lichens through with a knife and found it riddled 

 with holes and their frass. I have very carefully worked 

 out its habits for four years." Since Mr. Buckler only 

 succeeded in keeping the larv« which he had from eggs, alive 

 for about two months, and received the larvee which he suc- 

 ceeded in rearing when well grown, there is nothing in his 

 observations to contradict Mr. Salvage's belief that the life 

 of the larva extends over more than one year. Its habit of 

 burrowing in moss is well known ; it is said then to feed on 

 young shoots of Vacciniicm growing through the moss. 



Pupa of the ordinary Nodna form, very thin-skinned and 

 tender, but brilliantly glossy, eye and palpus covers project- 

 ing in rounded faint knobs; limb-cases compact, rather 

 sculptured with cross hollows ; wing - cases shining but 

 minutely wrinkled with small incised sculpture which 

 becomes more distinct in the empty pupa-skin ; dorsal aud 

 abdominal segments only very slightly pitted in a narrow 

 band at the anterior margin of each segment ; the abdominal 

 segments gently tapering; anal segment stout, suddenly 

 rounded off; cremaster a small raised tubercle which bears 

 four rather long slender spikes or bristles, somewhat diver- 

 gent and curled back at the tips. General colour bright red- 

 brown, cremaster and spikes black. The latter hold to the 

 cast skin of the larva with great strength and tenacity. 

 (Pupae furnished for description by Mr. Robert Ad kin.) It 

 is found naturally under the moss in which the larva has 

 burrowed. 



With the habits of the moth I have no personal acquaint- 



