NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 17 



minus the left hind wing, but perfect in every other respect. 

 During the larval stage I failed to notice an}' peculiarity. Also, 

 in the same year, I reared from a brood of Liparis dispar the 

 constantly recurring variety in the male (figured in this magazine 

 some time since), with the "crescent-shaped" pieces missing 

 from the hind wings. There is no doubt that this is a subject 

 which would repay careful investigation. In support of the 

 theory that the variation is caused in the larval stage, I would 

 refer to the 'Entomologist' for November, 1878, vol. xi., p. 186, 

 in which I mention two varieties of Vanessa io bred from 

 larvse in that year. After a careful examination of one of these, 

 my friend Mr. Barwell Turner writes as follows :—" Although 

 apparently melanic, this variety is not so, the dark appearance 

 being due to other causes than coloration. The colour (or 

 absence of it ?) in the upper wings is most extraordinary, with a 

 semi-metallic glaze in the parts usually a clear dark red-brown 

 in normal specimens. On microscopic examination (in sunlight) 

 this appears to be due to the absence of the typical Vanessid 

 scales, which are replaced by short reddish brown hairs, the 

 glazy appearance of the wing surface being seen through these. 

 These hairs may represent undeveloped plumules or scales ; but 

 why the other plumules on the wing are well and normally deve- 

 loped is hard to imagine. The eye-spot is hardly so brilliant as 

 in ordinary specimens. The under side is of the usual character." 

 I recollect when taking these larvse crowding them into a tin box, 

 which had the usual effect of making them perspire ; and I believe 

 this to have been the cause of retarding the scales on some parts 

 of the imago in their growth. Like Mr. Harding I should like to 

 know what other entomologists have noticed on this interesting 

 point.— Henry Marsh ; Leeds, November 16, 1883. 



Late Appearance of Vanessa atalanta. — Several fine 

 specimens of V. atalanta emerged in my breeding-cage on Friday, 

 November 9th, 1883. Has any other collector seen such a late 

 emergence of this species ? — G. D. Smith ; 7, Constitution 

 Street, Aberdeen, November 16, 1883. 



Acherontia atropos. — A specimen of this insect was sent to 

 me in the latter part of September, having been caught by some 

 friends of mine in their dining-room. I believe it is the first 

 specimen of A. atropos which has been captured in this neigh - 



The Entomologist.— Vol. XVII. Jan. 1884. d 



