LTPE-HISTOEY OF AKGYNNIS LAODICE. 51 



structure, having the hairs and warts of similar number and 

 formation. 



Owing to dull, sunless weather for about a week from the time 

 of hatching the little larvae remained inactive, and it was several 

 days before I could detect that they had fed at all, and then they 

 fed only on the cuticle of the more tender parts of the shoots 

 and young leaves of violet [Viola canina). They are very sluggish 

 in movement, and only show signs of activity during sunshine. 



When a month old, i. e. on March 19th, the larva only 

 measured ^in. long ; it is then more uniformly darker in colour, 

 being of a light olive-brown. They now feed along the edges of 

 the young leaves, eating the entire substance. 



On April 1st some prepared for first moult, when they measure 

 I in. long. The colour is pale ochreous, mottled with purplish 

 brown, chiefly arranged so as to form longitudinal bands, ex- 

 cepting along the dorsal surface, where they are V-shaped on 

 each segment, with a very fine medio-dorsal line running through 

 the V-markings. 



First moult took place on April 3rd. 



After first moult, sixty-five days old, it measures ^^ in. long. 

 There are six longitudinal rows of dusky tubercles with ochreous 

 bases, each bearing several finely serrated bristles, the largest 

 ones having the apex slightly knobbed ; each tubercle terminates 

 with the longest bristle. The head is shining black, and beset 

 with bristles ; the ground colour is very pale ochreous, streaked 

 and chequered with purplish brown, with a fine medio-dorsal 

 line of the same colour, and a dark dorsal blotch on each side of 

 it, on the anterior part of each segment ; a dark spiracular band 

 borders a conspicuous whitish lateral stripe, including the lateral 

 series of tubercles ; the under surface, claspers, and legs are also 

 ochreous and chequered with brown. 



On April 25th one moulted the second time. 



After second moult, eighty-six days old, the larva is |- in. long. 

 The tubercles are all pale ochreous, and all the dark markings 

 are outlined with whitish ; the medio-dorsal line is bordered on 

 either side by a fine white line ; the lateral lobes form a whitish 

 band. After feeding they usually crawl down the stems, upon 

 which they rest. 



Several moulted third time the middle of May. 



After third moult, ninety-four days old, it measures ^ in. 

 long ; it is similar to the previous stage, but all the markings 

 are clearly defined. The dorsal tubercles are cream-coloured, 

 those on the first two segments are coppery ; the subdorsal and 

 lateral tubercles whitish ; legs ochreous ; head ochreous, mottled 

 with brown ; eye-spots black. 



Just before fourth moult it measures j% in. On May 23rd I 

 noticed two had moulted fourth time. 



After fourth moult, one hundred and eleven days old, it is 



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