Notes in 1887 upon lepidopterous larve, de. 521 
almost universally at one or other of the larval stages. 
It will be again referred to in this ontogeny. These five 
larve were isolated in order to determine whether the 
differences would be increased in succeeding stages. 
The mature larva is about 8°25 mm. in length when 
extended, although it can stretch to 86 mm. Their 
length was very uniform. In the resting period before 
ecdysis the larva is cylindrical in shape, long and 
narrow, with a very uniform diameter, but tapering very 
slightly and evenly, from the 8th abdominal segment to 
the anterior extremity. This appearance is especially 
well seen when the larva is somewhat contracted. The 
Sphinx attitude was never witnessed in this stage, but 
the larve stretch themselves along the mid-rib on the 
undersides of the leaves. The positions of all seventeen 
larvee were noted several times in this stage: two or 
three exceptions were always observed, a small propor- 
tion of the larve being stretched along the stem of the 
plant or along a leaf-stalk, and very occasionally upon 
the upper side of a leaf. It is very probable that many 
of the exceptions and all of the latter kind, were caused 
by the frequent disturbance to which the larve were 
subjected. Although the greatest care was always 
observed, the frequent removal for examination must 
have produced some effect. On one occasion a larva 
fell during removal, but remained suspended by a 
thread. ‘The use of silk did not, however, seem to be so 
common as in the young SV. ligustri. 
I now append some data in a tabular form, indicating 
the length of the stage, and the dates at which any 
changes occurred. It will be seen that the dates lead 
to the very remarkable fact that Stage I.is considerably 
longer in the larve which hatched first, thus tending 
towards an equalisation of the periods of development, 
from the time at which the eggs were laid. It is to be 
hoped that this interesting result will be tested upon 
other larve. 
Aug. 29th, evening, 18 ova were laid. 
Sept. 5th, evening, first larva hatched: 3°75 mm. long. 
», 7th, morning, second larva hatched: first larva 5°25 mm. long. 
ay inae 3 11 larve hatched. 
vn  watternoon), \4.°5: Fe 
,, 12th, first larva showing traces of approaching ecdysis. Indications 
of shagreen dots noticed in first and second lary, 
