The BionomlvH <>f South African Insects. 399 



cases they probably act as directive raax-ks, diverting the 

 attention of an enemy from the body of the insect (see 

 pp. 871-5 and 440-1). To the former category probably 

 belong the remarkable cyc-likc spots on the tcgmina of 

 certain Harpagid Man tides; for Mr. Marshall writes (1902) 

 of a South African species : " The eye-like markings on the 

 wings of the Mantis, FseiidocrcoJjotra wahlbergi, are, I 

 think, almost certainly of a terrifying character. When 

 the insect is irritated the wings are raised over its back in 

 such a manner that the tegmina stand side by side, and 

 the markings on them then present a very striking resemb- 

 lance to the great yellow eyes of a bird of prey, or some feline 

 animal, which might well deter an insectivorous enemy. 

 It is noticeable that the insect is always careful to keep 

 the wings directed towards the point of attack, and this is 

 often done without altering the position of the body." — 

 E. B. P.] 



24. Evidence of a Superstitious Dread of the 

 Larva of Chcerocampa elpenor. (E. B. P.) 



Professor Weismann and Lady Verney have shown that 

 the larva of C. cljmior terrifies birds, and I have found that 

 Lacerta viriclis was at first much intimidated, but finally 

 overcame its fright and devoured the larva. An account 

 of these observations is given in " Colours of Animals," 

 Poulton, 1890, pp. 260, 201. I have recently ascertained 

 that the larva is regarded with superstitious fear in certain 

 parts of Ireland. This I owe to the kindness of my friend 

 Mrs, Nuttall, the American anthropologist, who has drawn 

 my attention to an article by Mrs. Frances J. Battersby, 

 of Cromlyn, Westmeath, in " Knowledge," vol. 21, 1898, 

 p. 256, and reprinted in "Public Opinion," Nov. 11, 

 1898, p. 022. The writer quotes the following quaint and 

 amusing account of the larva, and the sympathetic magic 

 by which its supposed evil influence is cured, from " A 

 Chorographical Description of the County Westmeath," 

 by Sir Henry Piers, of Insternaght (1682) : " We have a 

 certain reptile found in our bogs called by the Irish the 

 ' Connagh worm,' This is an ugly worm, sometimes as 

 thick as a man's thumb, about two or three inches long, 

 having, as all reptiles have, many short feet, a large head, 

 great goggle eyes and glaring, between which riseth or 

 jutteth forth one thick bristle, in shape like a horn, which 



