284 Mr. Poulton's notes in 1886 



single instance of a spotted whitish larva, which I 

 recorded last year. 



ii. Smerinthus populi. — I have had the opportunity 

 of making notes upon the red spots upon larvae in 

 early stages. Seven young larvae, fed upon Populus 

 nigra, were kindly given me by Mr. A. Sidgwick, of 

 which, on July 15th, the youngest (No. 1) was ad- 

 vanced in the second stage, and 13 mm. long when 

 extended at rest. It was a bright yellowish green 

 variety, and possessed distinct red spots on the third 

 abdominal, and very minute ones on the second thoracic 

 segment. The other six larvse were changing their 

 skins for the second time, and they were all about 

 15"5 mm. long. Two larvae were yellowish green (but 

 not extreme forms), of which one (No. 2) had large 

 spots on the third abdominal and on the second thoracic 

 segments, the former being the larger ; there were also 

 very small spots on the fourth abdominal, and still 

 smaller on the first abdominal. The other larva (No. 3) 

 had very small spots on the third abdominal only. Four 

 larvae were bluish green, two being more distinct 

 varieties ; and of these one (No. 4) had rather large 

 spots on the third abdominal only, the other (No. 5) 

 having no traces of the spots. Of the two remaining 

 larvae — less decided varieties of the same colour — one 

 (No. 6) possessed distinct but rather small spots on the 

 third abdominal, smaller and less distinct spots on the 

 first abdominal, and far smaller, so as to be hardly 

 visible, on the second thoracic segment. The other 

 larva (No. 7) had well-developed spots on the third 

 abdominal only. On July 18th the larvae were re- 

 examined. No. 1 was changing its second skin, and 

 the red spots were much less distinct, although visible. 

 The other six larvae had now entered the third stage. 

 No. 2 possessed large and distinct spots on the third 

 abdominal, and small, although distinct, spots on the 

 second thoracic segment, while there were very faint 

 and minute ones upon the fourth abdominal. No. 3 had 

 lost all traces of the spots. No. 4 possessed a spot on 

 the left side only of the third abdominal. No. 5 was as 

 before. No. 6 had the merest trace upon the third 

 abdominal only. No. 7 was as before. 



These observations certainly confirm Mr. William 

 White's observations upon the comparatively early 



