32 ' METAMORPHOSES OF 



caterpillars, walking close one after the other, wag their 

 heads in this way to touch up the " tail" of the individual 

 in front of each, the effect being very comical. I have found, 

 when changing them to new food, that the only way to get 

 them to move was to imitate this movement of the head with 

 my finger applied to their tails. If the caterpillars were in 

 their resting position, I could generally start the whole regi- 

 ment by tickling the hindermost ones, who in their turn 

 stirred up those in front, till they all got on the move. 



The caterpillar has a very unpleasant and peculiar odour 

 that is quite indescribable. The mandibles are very power- 

 ful, and are capable of giving a severe bite if their owner is 

 annoyed. In eating, the noise of the crunching of the 

 leaves is considerable. 



When full-fed the caterpillar hangs itself up by the "tail," 

 the size diminishes, and the bright colours become dull and 

 suffused with a greenish grey colour. They are full-fed in 

 December. 



(a, In spirit, immediately after change. 

 b, Dry. Full-fed Dec. 12, 1877. Imago, Jan. 

 23, 1878 = 42 days. 



Pupation takes place three days after the larva is full-fed. 

 The pupa is of a beautiful bright green, the venation of the 

 wings, etc., being of a darker shade. The insect remains in 

 this state for six weeks. 



/a, 3" , Feb., 1879. 



b, $ , Full-fed, Jan. ; Imago, Feb. 7, 1879. 

 Imago. -^c, ? , Feb., 1879. 



d, 2 , Full-fed, Dec. 30, 1878 ; Imago, Feb. 8, 

 I 1879 = 40 days. 



These exquisite butterflies begin to make their appear- 

 ance at the end of January, but do not appear in large 

 quantities till the middle of February ; the earlier specimens 



