[155] OBSERVATIONS ON MELITJEA PHAETON. 23 



The larvae fed on the lower portion of the leaf (leaving the upper 

 cuticle), within a web which they had spun beneath it and extending 

 thence a short distance to the side of the box, within which they could 

 be seen at rest or diligently employed in adding to the web. 



The second molting commenced on the 12th of August, and was 

 completed on the 14th. The length of the larvae was now one-fourth 

 of an inch. Head black, subcordate, with black hairs ; the body yellow- 

 brown, darker at the extremities, with seven rows of black spines 

 having conical trunks and numerous fine branches. 



When about in readiness for their third molting, they had attained 

 a length of four-tenths of an inch, and a diameter of seven-hundredths 

 of an inch centrally, with attenuated extremities. The anal and the 

 two anterior segments are now black, and the third partially so ; 

 the rest of the body is of a clear brow^n, with the incisures and two 

 narrow bands on each segment, black. The spines of the dorsal row 

 are small ; in the next row (subdorsal) they are large and placed on an 

 extended black base; in the next (lateral) they are slightly larger 

 than the dorsal, and like them, are located on the anterior of the seg 

 ment; those of the next (substigmatal) row are of the size of the 

 subdorsal and correspondingly located on the posterior of the segment. 

 Some of the spines of the posterior extremity of the body are branchless. 



August 20th, the larvae were transferred to stems of Clielone within 

 a glass jar, when they at once commenced spinning a* web between 

 some leaves, but not drawing them together. On the 22d, some of 

 their exuviae were observed in the web, indicating a molting (the third) 

 of some of their number. Although fresh leaves were several times 

 given them, they partook of no food after their removal to the jar, nor, 

 judging from the condition of the leaves, had they eaten for a few days 

 prior to their removal perhaps not after they had attained the period 

 just preceding their third molt. Tow T ard the last of the month, some 

 of the larvae died, and by the middle of September none remained 

 alive. 



From the above observations, and from similar ones on M. Nycteis, 

 we may conclude that these two Melitaeas, at least, hybernate without 

 attaining any considerable size, and probably after their third molting. 

 It would seem, that, in preparing for their hybernation, they collect 

 within a slight web spun between a couple of leaves, in which shelter 

 they remain., and fall with the leaves to the ground. An additional 

 covering of leaves above them would secure the amount of moisture 

 necessary for their preservation, and serve to shield them from the 

 winds and frosts of autumn, until the snows of winter throw over them 

 a protecting mantle. About the 20th of May (inferring from larval 

 observations on M. Nycteis) the larva awakens from its protracted 

 repose of from eight to nine months duration, and seeks its food. As 



