On the habits of a species of Hair Streak. 409 



separation taking place by the breaking of the stalk ; the 

 caterpillar having secured its house from falling during the 

 period it has to remain in its chrysalis state, returns to the 

 interior, and there undergoes its transformation ; the per_ 

 feet insect emerging by the hole made by the caterpillar at 

 a period when it was provided with the proper apparatus 

 for so provident a purpose. 



At the time the pomegranate is in flower, and at a very 

 early period, the Hair Streak may be seen very busily occupi- 

 ed about the flowers, and I have little doubt that the eggs 

 are deposited at the bottom of the calyx, from the position 

 in which I have seen the abdomen of the butterfly placed ; 

 as the fruit enlarges the eggs are enclosed, and in this situa- 

 tion matured. 



Recollecting the history of this insect, I determined to 

 enjoy the pleasure of seeing it go through its various stages, 

 (the pomegranate tree being close to my door.) In order that I 

 might obtain a perfect insect, I surrounded several of the fruit 

 with fine gauze, but in such a manner as not in the least to 

 interfere with the caterpillar in its labour of connecting the 

 fruit and stalk by means of the web, but to my astonish- 

 ment and disappointment this never took place; the cater- 

 pillars issued from the fruit, and finding their escape impeded, 

 underwent their change on the external part, and so soon 

 as this was effected, I removed the fruit from the tree for 

 the purpose of placing it in a mosquito gauze house in my 

 room. Subsequently I examined several of the fruit, but I 

 never found any chrysalidas, or the remains of any inside the 

 fruit. I was very careful in my observations, and I came to 

 the conclusion that the caterpillars in this instance deserted 

 the fruit when ready to undergo their change, and I have 

 very little doubt of the butterfly being the same, viz. " Thecla 

 Isocrates." 



I have recorded this as the result of my own observations, 

 without for a moment doubting the accuracy of the history 



