THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 21 



of which form four longitudinal series ; also having numerous 

 black dots, each of which culminates in an acute point ; these 

 black dots are particularly crowded along each lateral mar- 

 gin of the dorsal surface : dorsal surface bounded by a nar- 

 row white lateral stripe, extending from the head to the anal 

 claspers; on the upper margin of this are seated the spiracles, 

 which are nearly circular and testaceous-brown, surrounded 

 by a black ring : the inferior margin of the white lateral 

 stripe is shaded off into green ; ventral surface spotted with 

 white. I am indebted to Mr. Vaughan for the opportunity of 

 describing this larva. — Edward Newman. 



Entomological Notes and Captures. 



Prior Appearance of Male or Female^ Sfc. — Perhaps I 

 mistake Mr. Andrews' meaning (Entom. iii. 2) when I say 

 that he seems to think that the evidence afforded on this 

 question by insects in capiivity is of little or no value. If, 

 however, this be his meaning, I would ask what reliable 

 evidence can be afforded by insects in a state of nature ? 

 For, first, it is an admitted fact that, among all Orders of 

 moths, the female, as compared with the male, is rarely met 

 with on the wing, or indeed any other way. That very many 

 more males are taken than females is therefore no proof that 

 the former are earlier in their appearance than the latter. 

 But, secondly, admitting for the moment that males and 

 females were taken in equal numbers, I mean of course in a 

 state of nature, how can it be shown that the former emerge 

 first ? Let us suppose the most favourable case possible, 

 e. g.^ on July 14th you begin to sugar. Some common moth, 

 say Polyodon, swarms at it ; but all are males. This con- 

 tinues for a week, at the close of which females begin to 

 make their appearance. You may, if you please, infer from 

 this that the females emerge later, but there is no proof, nor 

 can there be, unless we had been present at the time and 

 place when and where they assumed the perfect state. Other 

 causes, besides the well-known one of their being much more 

 sluggish than the males, might at least be suggested why, 

 during that week, the females (if emerged) did not come to 

 the sugar ; but that one is quite sufficient for my purpose. 



