148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 
time in the chrysalis state being about fourteen days. The young caterpillars 
are wholly jet black, with the spines shorter than they are towards maturity, 
and without any trace of the steel-blue, shining tubercles, which are so strong 
a characteristic of their more advanced stages. 
After the third moult the following is the appearance of the caterpillar: 
Head, moderate, jet black, shiny, with two short branched spines on the 
crown, and a series of smaller ones on the sides in front. In the center of 
the head isa groove. Body, deep velvety black, each segment behind the 
head with five branched spines, at the base of which are bright, steel-blue 
tubercles. In the sunlight, these tubercles, from their highly polished sur- 
face, glisten almost like jewels. Between the spines, and particularly about 
the dorsal region, are a number of small white circular dots, from each of 
which springs a short whitish bair; and a rich black velvety line, sharply 
defined, extends from the base of the head to the anal segment. The latter 
is furnished with only two branched spines. Prolegs, black; abdominal legs, 
dirty yellow. Length, 1.00 inch. 
Mature larva. There is no change except in size until the final moult, when 
the middle spine of each segment becomes bright yellow at the base, and the 
white spots at the base of the hairs larger and more numerous, giving the 
appearance of a yellow dorsal line. Length, 1.65 inch. 
Chrysalis. General color, ashy gray, with bluish efflorescence; abdomen, 
fawn-color; head, with two rather sharp, well developed, blackish processes; 
thorax, mottled with brownish, with two angular spines near the junction of 
the wings; mesonotal process, rather large, brown, with sharply hooked spine 
directed backwards. On the sides of the thorax are four black points, the 
basal ones surrounded by a cream-white patch, which extends to the first 
abdominal segment. Wing covers, ashy, brown along the margins; basal 
abdominal segment, with two small, black spines, behind which are large 
cream-white patches. The remaining abdominal segments have each two 
black points surrounded with black patches, growing smaller and fainter 
towards the anal extremity. Spiracles, black, almost linear, with a series of 
black dots above and below. The anal segments are much arched, directed 
inwardly toward the exterior of the wings. Length, 0.65 inch. There is no 
trace of silver upon any part of the surface of the chrysalis. 
As Vanessa Californica has been said by some authors to be identical with 
the European polychloros, I subjoin, for comparison, a brief description of 
the caterpillar and chrysalis of the latter species. It will at once be seen how 
widely separate the two are, in their earlier stages. Vanessa polychloros, L.; 
Caterpillar, bluish or brownish, with a lateral stripe of orange. The spines 
are slightly banded and yellowish. The larve feed on the willow and elm, 
and on some kinds of fruit trees, especially the cherry. Encyclop. Method. 
Papillon. 305. Chrysalis, flesh-colored, with golden spots near the neck.—b. 
Since writing the above, yesterday (June 6th), in company with Mr. 
Behrens, I paid another visit to the canon in which we had previously found 
the Vanessa. Contrary to my expectations, the insect was far from abun- 
dant, and at least 75 per cent. of those we found were crippled in the anterior 
wings, while dead specimens, which had never been able to take an extended 
flight, were scattered everywhere about our path. The females also seemed 
