124 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



are in bloom. The atmosphere being so calm the tracks of 

 the different animals were clearly visible on the driven sand : 

 very curious is that of the natterjack; but still more curious 

 is the track of larva?, every ring being marked as it were in 

 steps. Besides the insects above mentioned we also took the 

 minute hybernated larvae of L. Salicis in abundance at one 

 spot; T. rubricosa and gracilis, and A. badiata at the 

 sallows at night; E. pumilata and S. illunaria at lamps. As 

 may be supposed, we returned home well satisfied with our 

 very pleasant "out" and our " spolia opima." — [Rev.] 

 TJiomas W. Daltry. 



Description of the Larva of Apamea oculea. — Though the 

 imago of Apamea oculea is so abundant an insect as to 

 become almost a pest, I have never seen a description of its 

 larva, and, indeed, it seems to be but little known amongst 

 Lepidopterists generally. It is full-fed about the first or 

 second week in May, and may then readily be found, by those 

 who choose to look for it, feeding inside the main stem, and 

 eating the undeveloped flower, of the common cock's-foot 

 grass, Dactylus glomerata. It is about an inch in length, and 

 of average bulk in proportion ; head globular, much smaller 

 than the 2nd segment, into which it can be partially with- 

 drawn ; body cylindrical, and tapering very decidedly from 

 near the head to the anal segment; skin smooth and glossy, 

 and very tough to the touch ; the whole shape, handle, and 

 manner of twisting about when annoyed, reminding one of 

 the mealworm, or some other Coleopterous larva : the ground 

 colour is dull semi-translucent green ; head pale brown, with 

 the mouth sienna-brown; a distinct narrow dark green pul- 

 sating vessel forms the medio-dorsal line ; the subdorsal lines 

 are purplish brown, rather broad, but interrupted at the 

 segmental divisions ; there are no perceptible spiracular 

 lines ; spiracles small, black ; the ventral surface and claspers 

 similar to the ground colour of the dorsal surface ; legs pale 

 brow n. When crawling, the internal backward and forward 

 working of the muscles of the larva is distinctly seen through 

 the transparent skin. — Geo. T. Porritt ; Huddersfield, April 

 17, 1872. 



Agrotis spinifera of H'uhner discovered iti Britain. — 

 Three seasons ago I obtained a Valligera-like Noctua flying 

 in the sunshine during an afternoon in August, in the Isle of 



