154 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



several other Lycaenids of ours — Arhopalas and Hyjjolijccsna 

 phorhas. Some weeks later I pulled the habitations of the ants 

 to pieces, but could find no traces of larvae from the ova left un- 

 touched, and was unsuccessful with many other nests examined. 

 Then I made the enquiries alluded to. 



During the next few months I examined scores of nests, in 

 the hope of finding larvae of this, to me, mysterious insect, but 

 without success, and my efforts relaxed considerably. However, 

 eventually I stumbled across a larva when searching an ants' 

 nest for other insects. This specimen was half-grown, the size 

 and shape being about that of a medium-sized 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 dorsal surface there were three furrows, reaching nearly to 

 sides ; these furrows are constant through all the moults — it 

 must be borne in mind that I have not examined larvae less than 

 about one-third grown, those obtained from the ova were lost 

 before I had noticed them particularly—nor do they disappear 

 eveii ivhen the larval skin becomes the outer jjujjal shell. The head, 

 legs, and claspers are in a groove, the edges of which close down 

 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 pupae, and bred out 

 a series of the perfect insect. 



I regret my inability to describe the ova, or the extra- 

 ordinarily shaped larvae and pupae ; but I trust, Mr. Editor, that 

 you will kindly deal with these, for I send you specimens of 

 same, with examples of the butterfly as it appears soon after 

 emergence and when set — the set specimens, male and female, 

 showing the white fugitive scales on fore wings.* I furnish, 

 however, the following particulars, which may be considered 

 deeply interesting : — 



Taking several larvae and supplying them with ant grubs of 

 various sizes, I soon had the satisfaction of observing one in- 

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

 withdraw it from sight ; but, being impatient, I turned him over 

 soon after, and he slowly released his hold of the grub ; unfor- 

 tunately 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 ant nests, I kept several other caterpillars for 



* We are obliged to our correspondent for the material he has so kindly 

 furnished, and we are very pleased to add that Dr. Chapman has been good 

 enough to undertake the examination of it, and will report thereon in these 

 pages at an early date. — Ed. 



