46 Mr. E. B. Poulton's notes upon the colours 



line is bordered by lateral light lines. There is a slight 

 subdorsal on segments 2, 3, and 4. On segments 5 — 10 

 inclusive there are oblique light stripes bordered ante- 

 riorly with a darkened ground colour, just as in 

 Smerinthus larvae, and sloping the same way. 



Note upon the use and nature of the markings of a 

 Nematus larva (Tenthredinid^). — On October 14th of 

 the present year (1883) I found a nearly full-grown larva 

 of Nematus curtispina feeding upon sallow in the Oxford 

 University parks, close to the Cherwell. The markings 

 were all longitudinal and very simple, and are shown 

 from above in PI. I., fig. 8. There was a very dark 

 green (almost black) dorsal line extending from the 2nd 

 segment to within (apparently) two segments of the 

 posterior end of the body. The posterior end of the 

 dorsal line showed a slight dilatation, and the line was 

 interrupted at the intersegmental rings. This dorsal 

 line lay in the midst of a very distinct narrow white 

 stripe stretching the whole length of the body (excluding 

 the head). On each side of this the general green colour 

 of the larva was shaded with black. There was a very 

 fine but distinct white spiracular line, and there was a 

 white ventral line. The head was yellowish brown, with 

 a black curved line on each side. These were all the 

 markings visible on the larva, and the ground colour was 

 a transparent and yet dusky yellowish green. The 

 larva, when found, was clinging closely to the edge of a 

 semicircular notch in the leaf, due to its own exertions. 

 Looked at from the side the larva was very inconspicuous, 

 as the green colour resembled that of the leaf, and the 

 longitudinal dorsal stripes were barely visible in profile, 

 and what was seen of them rather aided the protection. 

 If the larva habitually clung to the uninjured edge of the 

 leaf it would be easily recognisable in profile, because it 

 would stand out beyond the natural edge, and also would 

 interrupt the serrations or other natural features. But, 

 as far as I observed, the larva attached itself to the edge 

 which it had been eating away, and this, too, was the 

 most natural position, for it was thus quite close to the 

 leaf and the part of the leaf upon which it was actually 

 feeding ; and in such a position the body of the larva 

 did not attract any attention, for it was merely added 

 to an artificial edge, and did not render the latter con- 

 spicuous. But the larva was protected by its colours 

 and position, when seen from above, as well as in profile. 



