Notes in 1887 upon lepidopterouslarve, de. 581 
of the curve of all three larve. There is only one 
exception to this: the unusual rate of growth during 
the 1st stage of S. ligustri. 
The extraordinary length and small amount of growth 
during the 1st stage of A. taw is very remarkable, 
but this is largely accounted for by the immense 
 protraction of the resting-period before the 1st ecdysis 
in this species. The fact that the larva of this species 
is at first so much longer than the other two, is not 
open to the interpretation which was given in the case 
of the two species of Sphinx, because the affinity 
between the former and the two latter species is so 
much more distant. The length of the egg of A. tau 
and the duration of development could not be indicated 
on the diagram. If, however, the line be prolonged to 
the left of ordinate I.” for a distance of 98 mm., the rela- 
tive length of development will be expressed, while the 
line will be found to come within 2°5 mm. of the abscissa 
line (also prolonged to the left)—a distance corresponding 
to the length of the egg. 
It is to be hoped that data may be available for repre- 
senting the growth of many species of larve and espe- 
cially the Sphingide, by this method. 
6. THE MEANS OF DEFENCE ADOPTED BY THE LARVA OF 
Sravropus Faci.—Hermann Miller pointed out long ago 
that the irritated larva assumes a spider-like attitude for 
the purpose of alarming its enemies. Having the oppor- 
tunity of watching a number of these larve last summer, 
I am able to add a few more details to H. Miiller’s 
description. I am indebted to my friend Prof. Meldola 
for directing my attention to H. Muller’s paper in 
‘Kosmos,’ Novy., 1879, p. 114. 
When at rest and unalarmed the larva is certainly 
very difficult to detect: it is protected by resembling a 
withered beech-leaf, irregularly curled up. The body, 
which is often held asymmetrically, represents the leat, 
being about the appropriate diameter, colour, and length. 
The two caudal processes, modified from the last pair of 
claspers, are always applied together during rest, and 
thus, looking like a single process, they represent the 
leaf-stalk. The 2nd and 8rd pairs of thoracic legs are 
folded at the middle of their length, and hang down ina 
bunch, resembling, in the most beautiful manner, a 
