The Origin of the Markings of Caterpillars. 207 



one individual (Fig. 43), the under ring-spots 

 were wanting, whilst the upper ones possessed a 

 beautiful red nucleus fading away anteriorly, and 

 showing the first step in the formation of a complete 

 eye-spot. 



I cannot positively assert that a fifth moult occurs 

 in the last ten days, although I am very doubtful 

 whether this is the case. It is certain, however, 

 that some time before pupation, and whilst the 

 larva is still feeding, the striking colours fade out, 

 and become replaced chiefly by black. 



The ontogeny of this species is obviously but 

 a very incomplete representation of its phyletic 

 development This is at once apparent from the 

 large gap between the first and second stages. It 

 is not possible that a row of ring-spots can have 

 arisen suddenly ; in all probability they have been 

 developed from a subdorsal line, which in Euphor- 

 bia is now only indicated in the second stage by 

 a faint line. This conjecture is raised to a cer- 

 tainty when we call in the aid of the remaining 

 species of Deilephila. 



DEILEPHILA NIC^EA, DE PRUNNER. 



I only know this species from blown larvae in 

 Staudinger's collection, and DuponchePs figure, of 

 which Fig. 51, PI. VI. is a copy. The adult insect 

 possesses two perfectly separated rows of ring- 

 spots. Duponchel figures also two younger stages, 

 of which the youngest is probably the third stage. 



