Notes in 1887 wpon lepidopterous larvae, dc. 583 
the year, at a time when the larve are feeding. This 
was the case in 1887, when these observations were 
made. It is clear from these examples that the bunch of 
thoracic legs, dependent from the anterior end of the 
larva, gains in protective value by being made up of 
the four elongated legs, instead of the normal number 
—six. But it will be shown that this very arrange- 
ment has also a special value in the terrifying atti- 
tude—a good example of the remarkable way in which 
larve may be perfectly adapted to entirely different 
methods of protection. The extreme development of 
four thoracic legs has a most important meaning in 
the spider-like position, but, while entirely adequate 
for this purpose, the legs have been kept at a length 
which, when halved by the fold in the resting position, is 
most appropriate for the protective resemblance to the 
scales. For quite other purposes the first pair of legs 
are not lengthened like the other two, and this also 
causes resemblance to a bunch containing the commonest 
number of scales. 
There are also one or two additional points to be noted 
in the terrifying attitude. ‘The anterior unlengthened 
thoracic legs are held apart, and certainly suggest the jaws 
of a spider-like animal. In the case of S. fagi, as in other 
examples of this mode of protection, the points seized 
upon are the ones which most influence the imagination, 
and these are exaggerated for the sake of effect. Thus 
the supposed jaws are larger and more widely gaping 
than would be natural, and yet additional effect is thus 
gained. Then quite novel touches are added with the 
same object. Thus the posterior abdominal segments 
are turned so far over the head that the two caudal 
appendages project over it, and they are at the same 
time rendered divergent. They thus occupy the appro- 
priate position for a pair of antenne, which, indeed, 
they suggest most strongly; and they add an ideal 
finish to the suggested monster, which is, indeed, exactly 
hke nothing upon earth, but which is, nevertheless, most 
effective in its appeal to the imagination. The four 
elongated legs are well known to be extended widely, 
and to quiver in the most terrific manner, as if pre- 
paring to seize the enemy. A suggestion is here, doubt- 
less, made of the legs which a spider uses in attack ; 
the other legs by which these animals gain support are 
