40 LEPIDOPTERA. 



another of the normal colour, but devoid of the long oblique 

 transverse line. He has besides a very striking looking male 

 with a large white central spot placed in a dark costal blotch. 

 On the wing in July and August. 



Larva large and conspicuous, of even thickness, with 

 numerous small tufts of hairs. Head rounded, pale grey 

 much striped with yellowish ; body dull grey, dusted with 

 minute whitish atoms, and plentifully sprinkled with yellowish 

 dots and small spots ; covered with short fine soft hairs of a 

 reddish brown ; two tufts of stronger, longer, brown hairs on 

 the second segment ; a still longer and thicker upright tuft 

 on the twelfth ; and a double row of short black tufts down 

 the intermediate dorsal region. Along the spiracular region 

 is another series of tufts of hairs, quite white, and pointing 

 obliquely downward so as partially to conceal the feet ; legs 

 brown ; prolegs rather spreading, dark grey ; under-surface 

 blackish. When it falls from its food, tightly coiled, the 

 white lateral tufts form a complete and conspicuous ring. 

 When young the colours are brighter and the dorsal region 

 has blue spots instead of black tufts ; the second segment 

 then is expanded on each side and furnished with longer 

 hairs. 



August to June, on Dactyhs glomerata and other coarse 

 grasses, also on various species of Poa^ including P. annua. 

 It hybernates when about an inch long; and, in both autumn 

 and spring, loves to extend itself on a grass culm in the 

 sunshine ; indeed it is, at all ages, quite conspicuous upon 

 the grasses. It is also very fond of water, and will eagerly 

 absorb a drop of dew, or water sprinkled on its food plant, and 

 thrives better if so supplied. On the other hand, if shut up 

 in any close tin box or other impervious vessel it perspires 

 violently, and if a number of larva are so shut up they become 

 drowned by saturation of the spiracles. Its common English 

 name is "The Drinker;" its specific name indicates the same 

 habit. 



