86 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



* 

 [This information is supplementary to ray description of 

 the larva, at page 7288 of the ' Zoologist.' — E. Newman.'] 



22. Age of the Larva of the Goat Moth. — To what age 

 does the larva of the goat moth {Cossiis lifiniperda) live, 

 and does the period of its existence vary ? — William Gibson ; 

 Parkhnrst, Isle of Wight. 



[The usual period assigned by Entomologists to the life of 

 the goat moth is four years, but I am not aware that this has 

 been tested by observers of sufficient accuracy. — Edward 

 Newman.'\ 



23. Sex of Larvce. — Is it possible to tell the sex of the 

 future moth or butterfly in the larva ? What are the signs ? — 

 William Gihsoji. 



24. Peculiarity in the Structure of Chelonia caja. — I 

 should like to ask if it has been before observed that between 

 the back of the head and the thorax of Chelonia caja are two 

 valvular openings, from which the insect can eject a strong- 

 smelling acidulous fluid. This is best seen directly after the 

 female has left the pupa, when, if you touch her, she bends 

 the head between the fore legs, and at the same time lifts the 

 two valves, exposing a band of bright scarlet hair, which 

 partly conceals the openings. From these exude two small 

 drops of clear fluid, smelling very much like a strong decoc- 

 tion of nettles, and turning blue litmus red. May not the 

 strong scent thus given out be the means by which the 

 females of many Lepidoptera attract the males ? — Henry 

 Moncreaff ; Southsea, August 24, 1864. 



25. Ophiodes lunaris in Ireland. — It is reported that this 

 rarity has been captured in the South-west of Ireland, by 

 that indefatigable collector Mr. Peter Bouchard. 



26. Nonagria neurica at Horning Fen. — It is reported 

 that the true Nonagria neurica of Hilbner has been taken at 

 Horning Fen. The insect which stands under this name in 

 our cabinets appears to be Nonagria Arundineti of the Con- 

 tinent. 



27. Note on Ephyra pendidaria. — After reading your 

 opinion of E. pendidaria (Eutom. 17), I think I can throw a 

 little light on the subject, I took two larvae of E. pendularia 

 off birch in September, 1863, and the perfect insects ap- 

 peared, one on the 22nd of April, 1864, and the other on the 

 4th of May. I also took a full-fed larva on the 27th of June, 



