46 



The cold during the first part of the winter was very severe, the mer- 

 cury frequently dropijing to 20° below zero (Fahr.), and this, too, with- 

 out any snow upon the ground. During February, 1889, however, much 

 snow fell, and they were covered by 4 feet of snow until the middle of 

 March. When the spring opened three larvfe revived, but only one 

 would feed ; this passed its second molt on April 15, the third on June 

 13, and the fourth on July 6. In Mr. Scudder's Butterflies of New 

 England (pp. 1775-1777), appear descriptions of the male, the female, 

 and the first three stages of the larva. What I take to be the mature 

 larva is figured life size above* (eighteen days after fourth molt). The 

 general colour is grayish-brown, striped with black and pale lines. As 

 with many other grass-feeders, this caterpillar furnishes a good instance 

 of protective mimicrj'. It is extremely sluggish in its habits, generally 

 feeding very early in the morning, and then resting for several hours, 

 head downwards, at the base of the tuft of sedge, when the colour, 

 shape, and longitudinal stripes give an exact resemblance to the dead 

 leaves and scales always found at the base of these plants. The dis- 

 tinct dorsal and lateral stripes divide the body into widths equal to 

 the leaves, and the faint subdorsal and stigmatal lines indicate the 

 midribs, whilst many small black dots around these lines not a little 

 resemble the minute parasitic fungi which so often discolour the leaves 

 of grasses. 



EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 



Pieris rapae in California. 



In Insect Life, just received, I notice a note upon Pieris rapw. In May, 1883, 1 

 captured in this place one male of that species (identified by George D. Hulst), since 

 when I have never seen another specimen, although collecting butterflies every year, 

 and usually extensively. That sample I have yet in my cabinet. 



P. protodice is abundant here, but no great damage is done by it. — [ W. G. Wright, 

 San Bernardino, Cal., July 13, 1889. 



Poisonous Spiders. 



I send to-day in glass tube a specimen of Latrodectus verecundus, or "poison spi- 

 der." It is believed to occasionally bite people, with serious effect. I have myself 

 known two people (one of them a lady) who were bitten, presumably by this species 

 of spider, while in privies, and both persons were seriously ill for weeks. I presume 

 that the interest in this subject is about over ; if not, I can interview the doctor who 

 attended the lady and the gentleman bitten and send you the results of the inquiry. 

 Personally I know that this spider frequents such places as old buildings and privies, 

 and it is my custom always to brush out with leafy twig all dark places before run- 

 ning any risk. — [W. G. Wright, San Bernardino, Cal., July 13, 1889. 



* This figure was drawn by Miss Sullivan from photographs and notes brought by 

 Mr. Fletcher to Washington on a recent visit. — L. O. H. 



