1(36 LEPIDOPTEBA INDICA. 



spiueless sliell of Echinus esculentiif, dome-shaped, flattened on the resting surface and 

 present a pit at the apex of tlie dome ; upper surface mamillated and finely pitted 

 between the mamillar processes. In colour they are dead-white and are exceedingly 

 lieautiful objects under a low-power microscope. They are deposited usually on a dead 

 twig, in juxtaposition to the food plant, or they may be laid on the bract at the base 

 of a leaf-stalk. 



Larva. — On the fifth day the larvae hatch out and appear first as tiny, hairy, 

 mahogany-red creatures. The head from first to last moult is a shining jet-black. 

 The hair of the first skin is coarse and white with the exception of eight black hairs 

 which project horizontally back from the rear of the thirteenth segment. The full- 

 grown larva is a prettier object than the generality of its class. Fawn is the prevailing 

 colour, but the mahogany-red tint persists on the first three segments and on the 

 dorsum of the 11th, 12th and 13th, there is however a small patch of fawn on the sides 

 of the first two segments. There are fine double lines of mahogany-red along the back 

 and sides, and a row of dots of the same colour extending from the 4th to the 10th 

 segment. On the dorsum of the 2nd segment is a shiny black, chitinous plate beneath 

 which the head of the larva is retracted when alarmed. The head is usually quite 

 visible, especially when the larva feeds, thus diftering from most lycsenid larvte. On 

 the back of the 12th segment the larva bears two fleshy pillars surmounted by three 

 stiff' bristles arranged in an equilateral triangle. These pillars are hollow, and from them 

 project fine hairs. When the larva is irritated, a fleshy tongue is flickered in and out 

 of these with great rapidity, very much in the manner of a snake's tongue. When the 

 larva is at rest, it will project the tongue-like processes in and out, about every ten 

 seconds, and will continue doing so for long periods. I was not able to determine 

 whether this action was protective in nature or for the purpose of signalling up ants. 

 1 noticed it was carried on for a long time before spinning the cocoon. Like most 

 lyceenid larvae, they are nearly always attended by ants, and this fact is of great use in 

 searching for them, as it is easier to notice the ants than to see the larvae. Their food 

 plant is a species of Cassia, and they show a partiality to the young buds. When 

 moulting they spin two or three leaves together, in which they lie untU the change is 

 effected. Often two or three will go into partnership to build this temporary cocoon, 

 l)ut as soon as the cocoon is finished the partnership is dissolved, and they wander off 

 in dift'erent directions. The partnership is almost invariably brought about by the 

 agency of ants, who pilot the larvae to a suitable spot. The final cocoon is but a little 

 more compact than the temporary ones, and usually consists of two leaves, loosely 

 woven together and open at both ends. 



Pupa, firmly fixed by the tail to one portion of the cocoon, and is dark brown 

 or blackish in colour. The head is rounded and stands out in relief from the body 

 by reason of the very prominent shoulders. The abdomen tapers gradually. The 



