174 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
necessary to take them with me, one unfortunately escaping 
during the journey, but the rest underwent their second moult 
quite successfully. After this, growth proceeded very slowly, 
and it was not until about three weeks later that there was the 
least indication of change, four larve having died meantime 
without any apparent cause. The six remaining then sickened 
for the third moult, which they were all unable to perform, each 
one gradually drying up, although fresh leaves were constantly 
supplied. During the second stage the larva is considerably 
stouter than at first, a bright crimson dorsal line also appearing 
immediately after the first moult, at which time the anterior 
segments are much less swollen, and the bristles smaller in 
proportion. 
I think that my failure in rearing these insects must be 
attributed chiefly to an error in the food-plant, as during 
the whole time I kept them they appeared to progress very 
slowly, and, although eating pretty well for such small cater- 
pillars, increased but little in size, as though their food did 
not nourish them properly. ‘The following table of dates 
indicates, I think, an unusually slow development for larvae, 
almost in the hottest period of the year. Larve emerged 
February 19th to 21st. First moult, March 2nd to 6th. Second 
moult, March 19th to 22nd. Larve died, April 14th to 16th. 
Should I again be successful in procuring ova, I trust that by 
trying other plants I may be able to rear the insect right through, 
but it is impossible to decide on the original food of Chryso- 
phanus salustius, as all the docks and sorrels have unquestion- 
ably been introduced with the grass-seed, and ee 
spread throughout the country. 
Oriental Bay, Wellington, New Zealand, April 24, 1886. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES, CAPTURES, &c. 
PIecRIS BRASSICA IN THE Miptanps.—For many years this 
butterfly las not appeared in greater abundance than it has 
during the last two—1884 and 1885. For several years past it 
has been gradually on the decline in point of numbers, and 
entomologists were becoming seriously afraid lest it should 
