48 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



we have quoted, and corresponding with our own experience, 

 from the brilliant and beautifully coloured Charagise. We, there- 

 fore, entertain the opinion that an error exists in associating the 

 larva of the C. virescens with the SphcBfia robertsii, and that it 

 will be found hereafter that this peculiar fungus only attacks the 

 caterpillar whose existence is passed underground, as in the case 

 of Pielus, Hepialus, and a few others." 



When out collecting, near Gisborne, on Friday, 2 7ih February, 

 1891, I noticed one of the common brown butterflies fluttering 

 rather strangely, and on examination found that it was impaled 

 upon a thistle prickle. The sharp prickle had entered the 

 abdomen at one side, penetrated through, and projected fully a 

 quarter of an inch beyond the other. On being freed the insect 

 fluttered away, apparently not much injured. Can any member 

 inform me how the butterfly got into such a position ? It is 

 hardly likely that, flying against the sharp point, the impetus 

 would be sufiicient to cause the prickle to penetrate the soft, 

 yielding body, and the weather had been mild for some time 

 previous, so a strong wind could not have been the cause. 



I recollect finding one of this same species (Xenica kluggi) 

 impaled in exactly the same way a season or two back. I have a 

 hazy recollection of hearing, some years ago, that one of the 

 insectivorous birds was in the habit of impaling its captures, with 

 a view, I suppose, of eating them at its leisure. Perhaps one of 

 our zoologists could enlighten me on the point. 



Geo. Lyell, jun. 

 Gisborne, yd March, 1891. 



Professor W. Baldwin Spencer is now engaged, in con- 

 junction with Mr. J. J. Fletcher, of Sydney, in working out the 

 species and the anatomical and microscopical structure of the 

 various Australian earthworms. He will be very glad of assistance 

 in obtaining material for this investigation. Any specimens will 

 be duly acknowledged. They should be forwarded to him at the 

 University, Melbourne. Earthworms are best sent by post, alive, 

 packed with fresh moss and vegetable mould in small tin boxes. 

 Professor Spencer will be glad of specimens from all parts of the 

 colony, so that he may be able to give as complete an account of 

 our earthworms as possible. 



