Ways and Habits of Caterpillars. 205 
such as those of species of Syngamia which feed on grass-blades and on young 
cane blades. I have frequently seen mud-daubing wasps, such as Eumenes 
and Odynerus searching grass and cane blades forthem. It is not to be won- 
dered at, then, that they often jump from their retreat In a most frantic 
manner the instant the collector’s hand or knife touches the blade which holds 
them. 
The caterpillars of many Tineids act, when alarmed, like those of Pyralids. 
In fact, there is a Tineid caterpillar which feeds on the leaves of the wild 
potato vine, end which gets into hysterics more readily than any other cater- 
pilar of my acquaintance. The slightest jerk in plucking the leaf, and you 
lose the caterpillar unless your collecting tin is in readiness below to receive 
it in its fall. 
Certain Noctuid caterpillars, those of Selenis suero, for example, that feed 
on the leaves of the tree locally known as bat-seed (Andira inermis) and on 
Aeschynomine sensitiva, 2 weed, 2re curious in having the anal claspers long 
and slender, greatly resembling thick antenne or the horns of a snail. At 
rest they keep the hind pari of their body elevated at a considerable angle 
with the claspers projecting. When excited they sway this portion of their 
body vigorously from side to side, and up and down, while the claspers are at 
the same time waved about, brought together and separated again and 
again. These movements would scem intended to keep off enemies. The 
third pair of feet, too, are often rapidly vibrated. 
The caterpillars of Letis hercyna, » Noctuid, adopt 2 most curious attitude 
when alarmed. hey feed on the carrion-crow bish (Cassia alata), are in 
general yellowish withered brown, but with deep black, which is quite con- 
cealed on the under surface of the thoracic segments. f was much puzzled as 
to the use of this colour, which wes in such striking contrast to the general 
hue. One morning, however, I saw its use in an unexpected manner. I was 
taking the caterpillars out of the breeding jar to suppy fresh food and measure 
the length of the biggest. When I took up this one, I prodded t that it 
might extend itself and get measured. My prodding alarmed it. Instantly, 
with movement so quick I did not notice when it was done, I saw it in the fol- 
lowing position :—body stiff, head and thoracic segments perpendicular 
to line of length, these seyments thrust forwards, thus showing the deep black, 
feet of first segment held a little in front of mouth, feet of second and third, 
opened back as though ready to grasp. I involuntarily gave a start, the 
attiiude was assumed as suddenly and unexpectedly. The caterpllar indeed 
seemed transformed into some formidable creature with gaping mouth and 
ready for attacking. It seemed to bid defiance end say “ouch me if you 
dare.” 
Some caterpillars, notably among those that are heiry, the Megalopygide 
for instance, or spiny, certain Seturniide for instance, curl wp themselves hedge 
hog-like, and feign death. In such a posture they present their would-be 
captors with an array of dense heirs or formidable-looking spines, which not 
infrequently possess stinging 01 itching properties. The Limacodids discharge 
