ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



45 



Pieris oleracea Bd. feeds on the potherbs. 



Grapta interrogation/is Fab. feeds on the hops, etc. 



G, progne Oramer, and G. gracilis G. and R. feed on the currant. 



Thecla strigosa Harris, feeds on the plum. 



But these insects are few in number, and so widely scattered, that they do little, if 

 any, harm. 



The one exception is Pieris rapce Linnseus, the " cabbage-butterfly " 

 (Fig 2). This is an exceedingly troublesome insect. The "best method 

 to check its ravages that I know is to set an intelligent child to work 

 to pick off the caterpillars (Fig 12 a) from the plants, and to crush 

 them under foot. The chrysalids (Fig 12 b) of this species, and of 

 others, may often be found attached to fences and buildings. 



I lately had the opportunity of witnessing the proceedings of a 

 Fapilio brevicauda larva when about to change to a chrysalis. It spun, 

 on the side of a twig, a little pad, to which it attached itself, having 

 climbed into a proper position for doing so. When it had settled 

 itself, it turned its head to its back and ejected, through its mouth, a 

 drop of mucous which it drew out in a silken thread, and attached to 

 the twig. It then turned its head round on the other side, and deposited 

 another drop on the same spot, drawing it out and fastening it as before, 

 thus making a complete loop. The ends of this it strengthened with a branching web. 

 Having completed its arrangements it curved its shoulders, drew in its head, and 

 remained quiescent for two or three days — that is, till its loop and other fastenings were 

 firm and dry. Then its skin was rent at the thorax, and, by a succession of heaving and 

 swaying motions, was worked back, segment by segment, till it reached the extremity or 

 oremaster, from which, in a little while, it fell away, leaving a delicate green chrysalis 

 with a row of yellow knobs on either side, and with pretty salmon-coloured spiracles. 



