AND THEIR TllANSFOEMATIONS. H 



The larva may bo found on tlio t-onnnon esculent pea, the Culntca fnitcsccns, various species of Ihlichos, Lathynis, and other 

 inii)orted plants, and on the indigenous Siraiiisuiitr, feeding in the interior of the seed pods, in which it undergoes its entire 

 metamorphoses. It is al)out (J lines in length, dull and shiggish in its movements, onisciform, slightly pubescent, varying from 

 l)al(' green to a i)inkisli white, with a latt ral row of small black dots, and several wavy dorsal lines. Head small, black. 



The chrysalis is short and ])lniit in Ibrni, fastened by the tail and a medial band. The colour light brown, with a few rows 

 of black dots on the abdomen. 



The perfect insect measures ai)Out H inches in expanse 



The Aiitcnmr (tig. 1) are moderately long and abruptly clavate, grooved laterally. 



The /.((/-/((/ palpi (fig. -2), in the nialc, i)rqject upwards and forwards to nearly even with the top of the head; basal and 

 terminal joints of an equal length, second joint three times longer ; basal and second joints thickly 

 covered with scales, and with rather long hairs beneath; terminal nearly naked; in the female the 

 terminal joint is much longer than in the male, and slightly bent downwards towards the tip. 



The 1a(js anterior [)air, in the male, consist of a single joint, terminating in one claw; in the female, perfect; 



second and posterior pairs (tig. ;3) with two small apical spurs on tibiic ; tibiic and tarsi covered with 

 scales, the latter also provided with rows of seta3. 



The upper surface of the female, from the base to about the middle of the wings, is of a shining bluish lavender, changing 

 gradually from i)ak' to dark lirown towards the exterior margins. On the lower wings, adjoining the outer margin, is a row of 

 faint ocelli, the two at the anal angle large, with idack centres and white irides. Beneath tliese proceeds a thin and graceful 

 tail-like ajjpendage of a black colour, tipped with white. In the male the upper surface presents more of the lavender hue, 

 continued nearly to the outer margins, which are of a dark brown. Beneath both sexes are alike, the ground colour being of a 

 shining white, suffused with drab towards the base, and thickly banded transversely on the inner half with fawn colour. Towards 

 the outer margins white, bordered by a chain of white circular markings like indistinct ocelli, the two at the anal angles large, 

 distinct, with l)lack centres, lunulated above with orange and beneath with silvery blue, resembling in miniature the eye on a 

 peacock's tail. Abdomen and legs white. 



The Swuiiisona gal((jifolia, formerly a very counuon i)lant on the Lower Hunter, is figured. A more showy species, .9. greyana, 

 is known as the Poison Pea of the River Darling, from its fatally injurious effect when eaten by sheep, horses, and other stock. 

 Both these plants afford food for the larvte of Lijcwiia hntica in certain localities. 



ANTHER^A ASTROPIIELA, Walkeu.— (Plate XIII., J und ? ). 



Anthercua aslruphela, AViill<er, Cat. Lt'p. Ilct. ISi'it. Mus., V'., p. 12r>r) (1855) ; 9. 

 Aiitheriea simplex, AValkor, loc. cit. \). 1256, i ; 8cott, MS. 



This pretty species of Anthenca first came under our notice many years ago, at Ash Island on the Lower Hunter River, 

 where the fine forest trees upon which the larv;e fed — i\\c imilsc ii%\\ fElt'oi'arjms ohocalusj and native pine (Podocarpus data I of 

 the early settlers — existed in considerable numbers, and afforded much valuable timber. Indeed so connnon then was this insect 

 that we have seen the cocoons attached in such num])ers to the twigs of the "Fustic" — Cadntiu'a jacancittiis — and other shrubs in the 

 vicinity of their feeding grounds, that a good-sized bag or basket might have been quickly tilled without entailing nmch labour on 

 the part of the collector, each twig or stem carrying one or more of the odd-looking brown excrescences, in some cases built one on 

 top of the other in a fashion embarrassing, to say the least, to the occupant of the und(>rmost tenement. The mature caterpillars 

 must occasionally wander far alield in search of a linal resting place, as we have found the cocoons attached to orange, quince, 

 pomegranate, and other orchard trees, at considcral)lc distances from their proi)er food-plants. 



It has sometimes occurred to us that the plump chrysalids of this Antherica may have afforded in times past a succulent 

 and welcome addition to the not well supplied larder of the Australian savage, as on sundry occasions when we have availed 

 ourselves in our entomological walks of the help of the few, and now, alas, degenerate descendants of the native tribes who still 

 lingered around their old hunting grounds on the islands of the Lower Hunter, we were frequently presented by them with 

 liandfuls of the cocoons, accompanied by many significant signs that they were "good to eat." 



There arc two broods of this Anthenea jjroduced during the spring and summer months, the finest and brightest specimens 

 being captured in January and February, when they may be seen any line afternoon in company with a larger and more showy 

 species, Antheraa jaiiettti, for at least an houi' before sunset. Hying about in a rapid but uncertain fashion, blundering against 

 obstacles in their path, then recovering themselves and resuming their ffight in great haste — the males at such times, owing to 

 their bright yellow colour, being nuich more conspicuous than their duller-hued consorts. 



