64 [ August, 
These are the silken tubes of the larvae of Anerastia lotella, and are tightly 
stuffed with yellowish frass, except a small space next to the base, where is a cham- 
ber of tough silk, wherein the larva appears to reside when not engaged in devouring 
its favourite pabulum, the inner portion of the grass stem, which it hollows out, 
and of course withers. 
The larva is very curious, yellow, tapering, with deeply divided segments 
(Mr. Buckler will, I hope, describe it). When full-fed it leaves the tube and spins 
a cocoon nearly, but perfectly disconnected. This also is very peculiar, being blunt 
or nearly flat at one end and pointed at the other, in fact, rather like a skittle pin. 
The pupa state lasts two or three weeks, the imago appearing in June and July. 
Very different is the tube of Crambus fascelinellus, which I partially described 
last season, this being entirely composed of grains of sand loosely fastened to- 
gether with silk, and therefore loose and very soft. Itis very much larger too, some 
being with the large bag of loose frass four or five inches long, and the mouth 
frequently embracing the plant of Triticum junceum upon which the larva is feeding. 
This plump, active, black spotted larva, with its ample tube, gives one a re- 
spectable idea of the larvee of this difficult group, and also seems to give a key to 
their real habits. 
Unfortunately it is so restless in confinement as to be very difficult to rear, 
and if disturbed from its tube disdains to make another. The cocoon which I have 
before described is much tougher and firmer than the tube, and, like it, lmed with 
silk. It is at least three times as long as the pupa generally. 
Still under the sand, and sometimes among the same grass, but more fre- 
quently among sea sand-wort (Arenaria peploides) and sea violet (Viola Curtisii) 
and at no great depth, are to be found at the same time (June and July) larvae of 
Agrotis cursoria in plenty, with those of A. tritici, and occasionally the orange spotted 
ones of A. preecoz, all of them stiff and lazy looking things when turned out, but 
active enough in all conscience when fairly aroused to a sense of their situation. 
Doubtless these would be found in swarms at night, feeding especially upon 
Arenaria peploides, the gnawed appearance of which proclaims plainly enough that 
it is a favourite food. 
I have simply given an idea of what is to be found under the sand at one period 
of the year, but if the time could be spared at other seasons, much more might be 
found under and upon the barren surface, not only among the other sandhill- 
Noctue, Agrotis valligera, Leucania littoralis, Mamestra albicolon, &c., but in the 
smaller groups; Gelechia desertella and marmorea swarm in myriads, G. distinctella, 
velocella, umbrosella, mundella, and pictella, are to be found, and Catoptria micro- 
gramana and ewpallidana are not very rare.—CuHarLEs G. Barrett, Norwich, 
7th July, 1870. 
Description of the transformations of Brebia Medea (Blandina).—That I am able 
to offer a complete history of the transformations of this species is another example 
of the proverb, ‘‘ Union is streugth.” 
For not to one only, but to several of my friends, am I indebted for help. To 
Dr. White and Mr. Longstaff for the eges, plentifully supplied to myself and Mr. 
Hellins; to Mrs. Hutchinson and to Miss Pasley for sending me the surviving 
larvee reared by them over the winter, when I had myself entirely lost all my stock. 
