LIFE-HISTORY OF LIOTHULA OMNIVORA. 155 



colour, on the posterior margin of each at the side ; there are 

 also numerous small blackish dots, which become denser on the 

 ventral surface ; the legs are dark brown, and very robust. The 

 abdominal segments are smaller than the preceding ; the first 

 dull brick-red in colour, with an obscure brownish band in the 

 centre ; the rest are of a uniform dull brown hue, almost black, 

 they are much wrinkled, especially on the under surface ; prolegs 

 situated as in the young larva, but much smaller in proportion. 

 Length from thirteen to twenty lines. 



The individual I extracted in order to make the above 

 description evinced an intense dislike to the operation, retreating 

 to the extreme end of his case, and clinging firmly with his anal 

 legs ; when, however, the whole of one side was cut out he was 

 forced to give up possession, and a more helpless insect than the 

 naked larva can hardly be imagined. As soon as I had finished 

 with him I put him back in his old case, which he completely 

 repaired in a few days, the new material with which the larva 

 had filled in the slit down the side being plainly visible, leaving 

 a curiously mended appearance. 



These larvae can endure long periods of starvation. I once 

 found a specimen which had been left in a box for four months 

 without food, having been forgotten. It was very small and 

 shrivelled, but still alive, although I think it subsequently 

 expired. 



When full-fed this caterpillar fastens the upper end of its 

 case to a branch with a loop of strong silk, which is drawn very 

 tight, preventing the case from swinging when the plant is 

 moved by the wind, and also rendering the insect's habitation 

 more inconspicuous by causing it to resemble a broken twig. 

 The anterior aperture is completely closed, the loose edges 

 being drawn together and fastened like a bag. The posterior 

 end of the case is twisted up for some little distance above the 

 extremity, thus completely closing the opening there situated. 

 It is lined inside with a layer of very soft silk, spun loosely over 

 the sides, and partly filling up each end. In the centre of this 

 the pupa lies with its head towards the lower portion of the case, 

 the old larval skin being thrust backwards amongst the loose silk 

 above the chrysalis. 



In this stage of existence the extraordinary sexual disparities 

 which are so characteristic of the family manifest themselves, 



