184 Mr. J. P. M. Wealo's Notes on 



Darwin's "Descent of Man" (Vol. II., p. 132), Phane- 

 roptera zehrata [Locustidce), a species of Locustidce 

 belonging to the genus Saga (?), the larvae of Lyccena 

 oiacilia (Trim.), and L. aniarah, the larvte of Uarpax spi- 

 nocula, and other Mantidce, Epe'ira vigilans, Blackna., &c. 



The eggs of Gynanisa Isis, and of several other large 

 Saturnian moths, are usually hard, bright, and easily seen, 

 and are attached to conspicuous parts of the outer 

 branches of the tree. I am inclined to think that they 

 are not subject to many enemies. In the first stage the 

 young larvaj are sienna-brown in colour, and harmonize 

 in tint with the young twigs on which they may be found 

 for some time clustered. Their colour is nearly the same 

 as that of the larva of a species of CuculUa, Avhich closely 

 resembles the bark. Later the larva becomes green- 

 coloured with white markings, and small protuberances 

 tufted with darkish sette. When it has acquired a con- 

 siderable size it assumes those splendid silver and gold- 

 tipped spines Avhich make it such a conspicvious object on 

 removal from the tree. The larva of Saturnia Apolloiiia, 

 though smaller in size, closely resembles that of G. Isis, 

 but the dark markings, being replaced by crimson, add to 

 its beauty. In its earlier stages the small setse on the 

 dorsal protuberances produced a painful irritation on the 

 skin, a peculiarity apparently not possessed by G. Isis. 

 The caterpillars of this last species I believe to be eaten 

 by several birds, and I know that they Avere formerly 

 much relished by the Fingo tribe, to whom they are 

 known as " Y-goinya," or, as they are called by the 

 colonists, " Kaffir oysters." I may mention that my son 

 declared that they were very good when roasted over the 

 fire. 



The females and larvte of some Orthopterous insects, as 

 also the males in a less degree, are adorned in a similar 

 manner Avith white enamel-like markings. In a species of 

 Pneumora I have generally found the young on Schotia 

 speciosa, the foliage of which affords even a better refuge 

 to these green, red and silvery insects, than does that of 

 the Acacia. Several species of an Orthopterous insect 

 belonging to the genus Saga (?) have the abdominal seg- 

 ments laterally marked Avitli silvery Avhite in loops, the 

 insects sometimes being rufous, or of different shades of 

 green. It is said to feed on other Orthoptera, especially 

 Truxalids, to A\'hich it bears a general resemblance, but 



