146 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



as possible, they did not become subjected to more than 3° or 

 4° of frost, as undoubtedly any very severe degree of cold would 

 have proved fatal. 



On the 19th January, just three months after entering into 

 hybernation, this larva quitted its hybernaculum altogether, 

 crawled to another stem and along it to the withered leaves, and 

 thereon remained motionless until the 23rd, which proved a 

 warm day, the shade temperature rising to 50°, the larva being 

 subjected to a slightly higher temperature, averaging during the 

 day from 50° to 54°, moved on to a living stem of clover bearing 

 three young leaflets, and after a fast of ninety-seven days partook 

 of its first meal, which consisted of a considerable portion of 

 one-half of a leaflet. It measures to-day (24th Jan.) the same 

 as when last measured, viz., ^e of ^n inch. Another larva has 

 also shifted its position to-day, but has not left the cluster 

 of withered leaves forming its hybernaculum. On 28th Jan. it 

 left its retreat and crawled to a young leaf-stem with the leaves 

 still unfolded and fed upon them the following day (29th), having 

 fasted for one hundred and three days. Another larva also 

 crawled on to a young half-expanded leaflet and likewise fed the 

 same day (29th); the shade temperature rising to 51° midday. 

 So far three larvae have now fed since hybernation. 



The above notes are from my note-book. 



From some unaccountable cause these three larvae never fed 

 again. One died on the third day after feeding and expired in a 

 feeding attitude. Another gradually grew weak and appeared to 

 lose all power of using its feet, lying helpless across the leaf, 

 and died in about a fortnight after feeding. The remaining one 

 appeared strong and healthy for a fortnight after feeding and 

 then lost power of holding on to the leaf, and died early on the 

 17th February, having lived for four months (121 days) since it 

 entered into hybernation. 



The five other larvae mentioned (Entom. 6) died during 

 hybernation. 



From the above notes I think it is quite evident that C. hyale 

 passes the winter as a larva, as no larva could exist for so long a 

 period as four months in a hybernating condition unless it were 

 natural for it to do so ; and, further, the hybernation of C. hyale 

 is complete, as it does not, as many species do, which pass the 

 winter in the larval state, feed at frequent intervals during the 

 hybernating period. 



Balham, S.W., March, 1893. 



