AND THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS. 13 



we obtained here, and also with the dcliBoation on the plate of tlie livmg larva,, together with the appended observations of 

 several writers, a fair conclusion can be arrived at respecting the genus of the moth which in its two preparatory states is liable 

 to the fatal attacks of this fungus. In order, therefore, to carry out the necessary comparison, we copy a lignified larva found at 

 the Barrabool Hills, Victoria,' and the well-known New Zealand species.' To these we have added sketches of one obtained near 

 Sydney by Mr Shepherd, and another by ourselves at the Hunter River. 



Referring then to the outlines given above, it will be seen that the specimen from the Barrabool Hills, (fig. 1), and that 

 from the vicinity of Sydney (fig. 2) approximate in a remarkable manner to the one found by us on Ash Island, (iig. 3), and to 

 the recent larva depicted in Plate 4. ; possessing the large muscidar abdominal segments and feet, and lieooming gradually 

 attenuated towards the extremities ; leading, as far as these examples are concerned, to the reasonable conclusion that they are 

 so closely allied as to belong to the same family. Their habits also, in the living state, are described in every respect as a 

 counterpart of our Rielus Swaiusoni, living and going through their changes underground, and connected by a tubular passage 

 through the soil to the surface. As bearing furtlier upon the views we entertain upon this subject, we beg to quote the concise 

 descriptions of the economy of similar fungus-ljcarhig Lopidoptcra inhabiting Tasmania and the Murrumbidgee, N. S. Wales, 

 as given by Mr W. H. Hau-kcs and :\Ir John Allen. Mr Hawkes of Franklyn Villa, Launceston, writes of the Sphteril 

 Gunini : — 



"It is fomuT generally under Wattles or Chims, immediately after the first Autumnal rains, (about March). Tlie fungus with one to flvo stems, but 

 generally with only ono, usually shoots from tho nape of the neck, in rare instances from other jiarts of the body, very seldom from the neck and tail, (in tiiousands 

 of specimens four or &va of these only have come before me). Tlio chrysalis found too with one stem from the upper part, and sometimes also oncirolod with rings 

 of fungus. The larrow made by the larva is about 18 inches deep, the direction inclined ; at tho month the larva and chrysalis may be seen on tho least alai-m to 

 retreat with precipitation. The perfect insect is a large gray moih coming forth in April or May." 



From Mr Taylor's communication to tho Tasmanian Journal, we extract as follows : — ■ 



" A plant of a .similar kind' was presented to me in 1837 by a Mr John Allen, who discovered it growing in abundance on the banks of the Murrumbidgee 

 in a rich black alluvial soil. Tho insect, in some specimens, was G inches long, and the plant about the same, springing like tho New Zealand one from the nape 

 of the neck. This plant is quite different from the other, being a thick stem formed by tho close union of several stalks which unite at the top and are surrounded by a 

 fringe, which, when expanded, assumes the appearance of a full blown flower upon the surface of the soil, the rest being buried in the ground— this top has a brown 

 velvety texture. Many similar ones were found in the same locality, which is the only part of New Holland in which they have hitherto been seen. Numerous 

 etnpig sludh and holiig were discovered in the vicinity, and at night the number of large hrown moihs wore so groat as more than onco to extinguish my friend's 

 lamp." 



With respect to the New Zealand example of the lignified larva' (fig. 4), it is evident that in form it partakes more of the 

 characteristics of the Hepialus Humiili, (a true underground insect) as figured by Hubner, Harris, and others, tlian any of the 



' "Sea and River-side Rambles in Victoria, 1800." 



'Rev. R. Taylor's account of the "Bulrush Caterpillar," published iu Vol. I,, j). 307 of the Tasmanian Journal for 1842. 



' SphBeria innominata of Taylor. 



* We have much larger and finer specimens from New Zealand in our possession. 



