TRIFID^. 57 



auct of nearly uuifoi-m width throughout, only tapering 

 slightly towards the head ; segmental divisions distinct, but 

 not deeply divided ; skin soft and smooth, having very few, 

 almost imperceptible, short hairs. Ground colour various 

 shades of ochreous-brown, in some almost yellowish, in others 

 of a strong purplish tinge ; in all cases on the centre of the 

 dorsal area the ground colour is almost obliterated by a series 

 of large, lozenge-shaped, dark brown blotches, one on each 

 segment ; this dark brown colour is also suffused along the 

 sides, a series of still darker oblique marks, one extending 

 upwards and forwards from each spiracle, being very notice- 

 able. Head yellowish-brown with a very dark brown stripe 

 extending from the summit of each lobe to the mandibles. 

 A very line pale grey line, passing through the lozenge-shaped 

 marks, forms the dorsal stripe ; along the subdorsal region 

 is a series of short black stripes, becoming more conspicuous 

 towards the posterior extremity, and forming on the twelfth 

 segment two distinct attenuated triangular marks, the apex of 

 each pointed forward and joined at their bases by a transverse 

 black bar edged outwardly with bright yellow ; spiracles con- 

 spicuous, oblong, yellowish-white ; ventral surface dull pale 

 ochreous or purplish in accordance with the general shade of 

 colour. (G. T. Porritt.) 



Varieties of this larva, figured by Mr. W. Buckler, range 

 from pale brown to reddish-brown and to pale purple or 

 liver-brown, and in some the subdorsal lines are distinctly 

 white. 



September to May on dock, sallow, bramble, chickweed, 

 primrose, and doubtless other low-growing plants ; but in the 

 spring especially fond of the young shoots and opening leaves 

 of birch ; feeding at night ; hiding among dead leaves and 

 herbage on the ground in the daytime. 



Pupa of ordinary form, smooth and shining, rather blunt in 

 front ; abdominal segments rather rapidly tapering ; anal 

 segment with two projecting bristles lying closely side by 



