50 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



sometimes doing great injury to the latter: it eats only by 

 night, and secretes itself by day under those lower leaves 

 which lie prostrate on the ground, or are so bent over as to 

 afford perfect concealment. When full-fed it may be readily 

 found in this situation, reposing in a straight position on the 

 under surface of a leaf, with its back downwards ; when an- 

 noyed it falls from its food-plant, and twists its head right 

 and left in an angry manner, sometimes stretching it out in a 

 leech-like fashion ; but I have not observed it feign death or 

 roll in a ring. Head considerably narrower than the body : 

 body cylindrical, of nearly uniform size throughout, the dor- 

 sal surface transversely wrinkled and delicately shagreened. 

 Colour of the head black, but not shining : body dark brown 

 or nearly black, delicately reticulated with pale smoke-colour, 

 the reticulations being depressed, the darker points raised ; 

 dorsal surface of the ^nd segment darker than the rest, its 

 margin adorned with seven orange spots, which appear some- 

 what as the anterior extremities of stripes which have become 

 almost obsolete, but are to be traced along "the back and in 

 the region of the spiracles, and three of which appear con- 

 spicuously on the l"2th segment, and converge at the ex- 

 tremity of the anal flap ; ventral surface paler than the 

 dorsal ; legs black and shining ; claspers black at the base 

 and white at the extremities ; their hooks black. Pupa sub- 

 terranean. The moth appears in June. I am indebted to 

 Mr. Greening for a supply of this larva. — Edward Newman. 



Enlomological Notes and Captures. 



Prior Appearance of Male or Female, 8fc. — In discussing 

 a question in which the natural habits of a living creature 

 are concerned, the utmost caution is necessary to clear the 

 case of all artificial elements which are likely to interfere 

 with a correct decision. The testimony afforded by insects 

 bred in captivity is, I think, of little value as evidence of a 

 general law, because we know many elements are liable to be 

 introduced, the disturbing effect ol" which may be consider- 

 able. Strict observation of insects in a state of natiue ought 

 in this case to be our guide ; and in addition to this we 

 ought to consider whether there are any exceptional circura- 



