ECNOMIDEA P1THECIUM. 183 



that an accurate account has not been given of the 

 nature of these appendages, as their occurrence is so 

 rare among this tribe of insects. It is probable, 

 however, that the projected points are not stings 

 properly so called, but merely sharp needle-like 

 pieces, charged with some acrid or poisonous mat- 

 ter. 



The arrangement and appearance of the tufts on 

 the caterpillar of Limacodes Coelestina, formerly al- 

 luded to, are so similar to those of D. vulnerans, 

 that it is no way improbable that they may possess 

 like properties. But with regard to this and other 

 species of similar construction, this point can be 

 ascertained only by the observation of living speci- 



ECNOMIDEA* PITHECIUM. 



PLATE XXI. Fig. 4. 



Bombyx Pithecium, Abbot and Smith's Lepid. Georg., pi. 74. 



This insect belongs to another group nearly related 

 to Limacodes, but even of more singular aspect in 

 the larva state, insomuch that it becomes indispen- 



* From txv$f*os,inusitatu$, and iVitt, forma; in allusion to the 

 singular shape of the larva. 



