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XVII. On a lepidopterous pupa (Micropteryx purpurella) 
with functionally active mandibles. By Dr. THomas 
ALGERNON CHapman, M.D., F.E.S. 
[Read May 10th, 1893. | 
Tumrty years ago Mr. Stainton exhibited the pupa of 
Micropteryx (purpurella ?) to this Society, and figured it 
in the ‘Entomologist’s Annual.’ His description of it 
is very good, and I believe absolutely correct so far as it 
goes. The paragraph that is most vague says :—‘‘ Below 
the eyes and above the palpi appears a brown knob, 
which may possibly represent the tongue; it bears 
numerous bristles; immediately beneath it are two 
large brown projections, the use of which I am utterly 
at a loss to conjecture; they expand towards the tips, 
which are scalloped obliquely.” 
Since this date nothing of importance has appeared 
on the subject, so far as I can ascertain. Mr. Charles 
Healy describes the emergence in the ‘Hntomologist’s 
Monthly Magazine,’ first number, p. 20; yet, though a 
minute and careful observer, he appears to have failed 
to note the use of the jaws in emergence, and no doubt 
many entomologists have made observations such as my 
friend Dr. Wood has often repeated to me, that the 
empty pupa-case lies on the surface of the soil after the 
moth has emerged, and is a curious bit of shrivelled 
membrane not at all like a pupa-case. But no one 
appears to have arrived at the surely very obvious con- 
clusion, that the ‘‘two large brown projections” of 
Stainton are the mandibles, still less to have observed 
the use made of them by the pupa. 
That a lepidopterous pupa should have jaws, in other 
than the obsolete form in which all (?) lepidopterous 
pupe have them, is remarkable enough. That they 
should be of such immense size proportionately to the 
insect, and should be functionally active, seems at first 
sight incredible, though the still more remarkable fact 
TRANS. ENT. 800. LOND. 1893.—PART III. (SEPT.) 
