NOTODONTID^. 151 



exactly resembling the enveloping sheath of the maple bud. 

 As the buds open the larva casts a skin, loses most of its long 

 hairs, and becomes yellowish-green, gradually approaching to 

 the adult colouring. Varieties occur having two transverse 

 bars of white on the twelfth segment, and one on the thir- 

 teenth. (Condensed from Buckler.) 



May and the beginning of June, on maple ; but in confine- 

 ment will also eat sycamore and Norway maple. It usually 

 reposes in a curved posture on the underside of a leaf, and 

 appears to be of a social disposition, since two will sometimes 

 repose under the same leaf. The Eev. Bernard Smith, to 

 whom we are indebted for much of our knowledge of this 

 species, says that it prefers maple bushes in hedges which are 

 open and not shaded by trees, and selects the sunny side. He 

 says, moreover, that the eggs may be found, in the winter and 

 spring, on the slender twigs, often two or three near together, 

 and usually near a bud. The eggs when found must be kept 

 in a cool place, and will probably hatch before the end of 

 April, contrary to their habit out of doors. The young larva 

 is very helpless and often fails to find its food — should be 

 lifted on to it with a feather. It is always delicate, and of a 

 quiet, sluggish habit. The curious throat gland already 

 mentioned is well developed in this species. 



Pupa rather slender, with the abdomen tapering; skin 

 thin, polished; purplish-brown. In a thin brittle earthen 

 cocoon, broadly ovate and placed upright, the pupa being 

 fixed by the anal hooks and hanging free. Not at the foot of 

 a tree, but doubtless under the bushes and often at a depth of 

 two or three inches in soft sandy soil. 



The moth flies at night, and the male is readily attracted to 

 light in its very restricted localities. It has apparently a 

 fondness for foggy, mild weather, but is very rarely obtained 

 on the wing. Neither is it readily found when at rest in the 

 daytime, and we know little of its habits in this respect- 

 though it must surely sit upon the branches or twigs of 



