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species of poplai'. The singular larvae of Gerura bifida 

 and C. furcula also occur now respectively on poplar and 

 willow. All the species in this genus make curious 

 cocoons, and the larvae have great powers of tenacity in 

 their prolegs. They generally hold very firmly to the 

 twig on which they rest, and unless removed with great 

 care, they are torn and eventually die of the wound. 



The same remark may also be made with respect to 

 the very beautiful caterpillars of Smerintlms ocellatus 

 and ;S'. poj)ul{. The former are almost invariably on 

 willows, and the latter sometimes feed on the same 

 bushes, but are more frequently found on poplars. The 

 large and varied caterpillar of the Death's Head Hawk- 

 moth (Aclierontia atropos) may also be found now feeding 

 on the tops of potatoes. Many very curious and beau- 

 tiful larvae of various tribes also occur at this season. 

 Amongst the Bombyces, some perhaps of the most notable 

 in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, are those of the genus 

 Notodonta. The caterpillars of Notodonta dictcBa and N. 

 dictceoides are very similar in shape and general habits, 

 but differ in colour. Those of the one species feed on 

 poplar, and the other on birch. Whilst at rest they lie 

 at full length upon a twig or on the stalk of a leaf, and 

 are often so difficult to detect, that a practised and keen 

 eye will miss them. The humped larva of Notodonta 

 dromedarius is often called the Dromedary, and may be 

 found on alder. Allied to this is the variable and often 

 splendid caterpillar of Notodonta ziczac, which may fre- 

 quently be met with on birch and willow. 



All these, as well as many others, may be foiand now 

 by day, by examining the twigs and underside of leaves, 

 in places where the trees and bushes are freshly eaten. 

 Amongst the NoctucB the larva of ApateJa le-porina is, 

 perhaps, one of the most curious and beautiful. It occurs 

 on birch, is covered with curved hair, and when coiled up 

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