PREHISTORIC BOTANISTS. 137 
insect is one of the weevils, which are noted for their extensive 
frontal development. 
I have also observed numbers of similar packets on alders, in 
some instances every leaf upon a given branch serving as a wrap- 
per or showing its bare stub, the ground beneath being strewn 
with the tiny bundles. Neither do I know the author of these 
packets, but would venture the assertion that this is an expert on 
the alders as the other is on hazels. 
Touching beetles, there is that living gem faithful to the dog- 
bane. What a pleasant surprise it was to discover this same 
bright beetle on a mountain plant of Switzerland in my descent 
from Righi Culm! But no, on close examination it proved to be 
a slightly distinct species, and, singularly enough, the food plant 
so closely similar to the dog-bane in appearance as to leave no 
doubt of its botanical alliance. 
There are a few small moths whose lives are interesting. Has 
the reader ever paused in his country walks to examine the even- 
ing primrose plant by day? If not, it will well repay a careful 
search among these faded cups of last night’s whorl of blossoms. 
They are still haunted by a constant friend of their gayer hours, 
a small moth which hides within the wilted blossom, only the 
nether tip of its wings appearing at the rim of the withering co- 
rolla, now tinged with pink. 
It is the little noctuid of the evening primrose, the moth, ear- 
liest among its twilight sippers, while it nestles compassionately 
by day within the shattered cup, lending its mimetic yellow wings, 
like added petals, to the drooping flower, sympathetic even to 
their pale pink mottlings, the identical flush which often mantles 
the fading petals among which they merge. 
The tiny caterpillar of this beautiful insect even now eludes 
you among the leaves and green seed-pods of the plant, and you 
may find it also on the crimson fire-weed and various other 
plants of second choice —all, however, in the same brotherhood of 
CEnothera, the Primrose family. 
From Maine to Mexico another small noctuid, known as the 
Cotton-moth, is found, its chosen haunt being indicated by its 
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