TRIFID.E. 301 



polished, pale yellowish-brown or ochreous-yellow ; body 

 ochreous with a, strong reddish or lilac tinge, minutely 

 dusted with brown ; the anterior segments appear greenish 

 when the larva is extended ; incisions shaded with pink or 

 lilac ; the only marking is an inconspicuous greyish dorsal 

 line ; legs yellowish brown ; prolegs tipped with dark 

 brown ; spiracles brown : undersurface very pale green. 

 (C. Fenn.) When very young, according to Mr. C. S. 

 Clregson, it is of a clear, slightly pellucid, emerald green, 

 with a light spiracular line. As it grows it becomes of a 

 more pellucid light mineral green with faintly indicated, 

 double, dorsal and subdorsal lines, between which are three 

 minute light dots on each segment ; spiracular line whitish- 

 green, well defined upon its upper edge, toned off into the 

 green colouring below ; head glassy ; feet light green. 

 From this the adult colour as already described is gradually 

 assumed. 



April to June or July ; but it is confidently asserted, and 

 seems to be established, that in some cases a poi'tion of a 

 brood of eggs, or more rarely the whole brood, hatches in 

 September or October, and in that case the young larvas 

 hybernate. On Armcvia maritima (Thrift), especially de- 

 vouring the flowers, Plantago maritima, and more rarely on 

 Silene maritima ; in confinement on lettuce, dock, violet and 

 dandelion ; probably on many low-growing plants. Hiding 

 in the daj^time under vegetable refuse or any light soil 

 available in its rocky haunts, or in the tufts of thrift and 

 plantain ; crawling up at night to feed, and very fond of 

 stretching itself on the stems of these plants, where it is 

 easily collected, with the aid of a lantern, by those sufii- 

 ciently strong and sure-footed to scramble over masses of 

 sea-cliff at night. Difficult to rear from the egg^ since the 

 larva3 after feeding steadily to near full growth, are apt to 

 die off at about the last change of skin. Mr. Gregson says 

 that they should be kept very warm, if possible with the full 

 blaze of the sun upon their habitation. It is not improbable 



