454 LYC.SNID^B. 



I found that there were two or three eggs deposited on each. 

 Judging by the number of flights I believe only one egg was laid 

 at each rest. I have since frequently seen the eggs on other 

 trees in ones, twos, or more ; but deposits of two, in several 

 different places, is the number usually to be met with. They are 

 placed on the underside of branches or protected side of trunk. 

 I took several of the ova and in twenty two days the larva?, flat, 

 oval creatures appeared, but of course refused to eat, and died. 

 I had taken them on the chance of their being leaf-eaters, and 

 with the ants merely for protection, as I found is the case with 

 several other Lycnids of ours Arhopalas and Hypolycana 

 phorbas. 



" During the next few months I examined scores of nests (of 

 ants) in the hope of finding larvae of this, to me, mysterious 

 insect, but without success. However, eventually I stumbled 

 across a larva when searching an ant's nest for other insects. 

 This specimen was half-grown, the size and shape being about 

 that of a medium-size lozenge with a rim as in a coin bordering it 

 all round, but raised somewhat along the dorsal surface ; colour a 

 very pale yellowish-brown, seven dark spots on each side near 

 margin, and across the centre of the dorsal surface there were 

 three furrows reaching nearly to sides ; these furrows are con- 

 stant through all the moults nor do they (the furrows) 



disappear even when the lamal skin becomes the outer pupal shell. 

 The head, legs and claspers are in a groove the edges of which 

 close tightly all round, consequently they are seldom seen except 

 of course during progression, when the body is raised a little. 



" After this discovery I met with other larvae, generally larger 

 and of a darker brown, and finally obtained pupte and bred out a 

 series of the perfect insect. 



******* 



" Taking several larvae and supplying them with ant-grubs of 

 various sizes, I soon had the satisfaction of observing'one individual 

 approach a half-grown grub, deliberately seize it and withdraw it 

 from sight ; but being impatient I turned him over soon after and 

 slowly released his hold of the grub : unfortunately I failed to 

 observe anything of the kind again. Finding that the caterpillars 

 did not thrive upon ant larvae alone they were supplied with small 

 nests containing ants and pupae as well, but in a week or so they 

 showed signs of sickness. By changing the ants' nests I kept 

 several other caterpillars for nearly two weeks ; they also became 

 sickly and had to be returned to nests on the trees. However, 

 they deposited frass showing that they had been feeding ; this is 

 small for such bulky creatures, is grey or white and is greasy- 

 looking. So though I cannot positively declare that they exist 

 upon the ant larvae, I am quite satisfied myself that they do. 



" Moulting. "When the caterpillars are about to cast their skins 

 they spin a webbed footing nearly their whole length to which 



