TRIFID^. t09 



as dashes on each segment ; spiracular line very broad, 

 white reticulated with purple, and having a reddish blotch 

 surrounded with orange or yellowish below each spiracle ; a 

 conspicuous row o£ black wedge-shaped dashes, one on each 

 segment above the subdorsal line, is most distinct on the 

 hinder segments, especially the tenth and eleventh; and 

 there is a marginal row of waved black blotches, one on each 

 segment, above the spiracular line ; the apex of the subdorsal 

 dashes is toward the head. Usual dorsal raised dots white 

 or whitish, large, well defined, surrounded with dark grey ; 

 plate on the second segment dull orange-brown, with two 

 blackish spots on its front edge. Head shining, yellowish 

 or reddish-brown, much dusted with black, especially on the 

 inside edges of the lobes. Anal segment tinged with orange ; 

 undersurface paler than the ground colour, greyish -purple, 

 dusted with black ; legs pale brown. 



When very young deep chocolate-brown with broad white 

 spiracular lines, which afterwards become pinkish broadly 

 edged with white ; the black dorsal and spiracular markings 

 are only assumed at the last moult. (0. Fenn.) 



Variable in colour and distinctness of markings ; one 

 figured by Mr. W. Buckler has the dorsal region down to the 

 spiracles almost uniformly dark purple-brown approaching 

 liver-colour, with the spiracular stripe dashed with orange- 

 yellow; others have the ground colour slate-grey, one of them 

 with oblique darker dorsal shades uniting on the dorsal line. 

 August to May, feeding in the autumn on dock, prim- 

 rose, dandelion, knotgrass, plantain and other low plants, 

 and after hibernation on bramble, sallow, bilberry, heather, 

 birch, bog-myrtle and blackthorn ; eating principally at 

 night. But as already stated, a little care, with a con- 

 stantly warm temperature, will cause it to feed on, with- 

 out hibernation, upon dock or other low plants, and reach 

 full growth in September, October, or even later, even to 

 January ; while other larvas from the same ba1ch of eggs, if 

 kept out of doors, hibernate when comparativley small. 



