94 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
of the green variety, and natural selection may be brought to bear. Never- 
theless, from what we know of the numerous similar dimorphic forms which 
cannot be thus accounted for, and from the recorded facts about the effect 
of surroundings on colour, the problem becomes quite complex. The 
purpose of this note is simply to call attention to an interesting problem, 
and to ask for further information.—T. D. A. Cockerext; Institute of 
Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, Feb. 20, 1892. 
HApENA SATURA IN THE FAR Nortu.—I can assure Mr. Hodgkinson 
that he is quite wrong in his deductions regarding this matter (Entom. 16). 
The whole life-history of the Aberdeenshire H. satura is well known to 
quite a number of English entomologists; but as there seems to be a 
difficulty in making out whether they are really H. satura or a form of 
Crymodes exulis, it was thought best not to publish anything about the 
insects until it was definitely known what they really were. The party who 
sent Mr. Hodgkinson a boxful of continental insects is not the party who 
discovered the insects referred to above-—Wwm. Rep ; Pitcaple, Aberdeen- 
shire, March 10, 1892. 
CATOCALA NUPTA AT REST.—I venture to doubt whether Catocala nupta 
has the preference for concrete walls Mr. H. D. Sykes ascribes to it 
(Entom. 69). It is plentiful in this neighbourhood (Beckenham), and in 
the latter half of August and in September it is commonly found on the 
oak fences that enclose the gardens, or on any flat surface. I have taken 
three specimens on the smooth and rather bright red brickwork of my 
house, on which it appeared very conspicuously. It generally appears 
about the 10th of August, and becomes worn by the middle of September. 
Ihave never seen it here in October. It comes freely to sugar, and last 
year, when it was unusually plentiful, three or four were attracted on each 
occasion on which I sugared in my garden. I have not found the difficulty 
Mr. Sykes mentions in boxing this insect ; so long as no shadow falls on 
it, it will sit quietly enough, but, like the rest of the genus, it is very alert 
when once aroused.—F’. W. Brpptz; Lanberne, Beckenham. 
Rearing Larva or Noroponta pict#orEs.—That the larve of the 
genus Notodonta are frequently cannibals is certain, and N. dicteoides is no 
exception. Of this anyone may convince himself by leaving one large and 
several smaller ones together in asleeve. As they feed at night the process 
is not so easily witnessed, but the small ones will rapidly disappear. It is 
probably while changing the skin that most larve are thus carried off. 
Having been more successful than Mr. Meed with this larva, I venture to 
suggest a few points to be observed. It is desirable to feed on the growing 
tree, and to allow the larve room. I would not place more than twenty 
ova in one sleeve, for the mischief begins early. As the eggs turn from 
white to a dark leaden colour before hatching, I would only expose them 
when they have turned colour. If any larve grow larger than the rest, at 
once remove them to a separate sleeve. ‘They prefer the shady side of the 
tree. Cannibalism seems developed by sunshine and dry weather. My 
best trees for rearing larve upon are planted in the shade, under a north 
wall. When full fed the larva will throw itself off its food, and lie upon 
the muslin, somewhat contracted in length. At once remove these to cages 
prepared with three inches of light soil, not too dry, and they will bury, 
forming soft cocoons, if the brood is healthy; or else the pup will be 
naked. I have not found them to dry up, if kept in a tolerably moist 
