LAMPIDES BOETICUS. 349 



segments, which are almost soldered together, yet this soldering seems 

 only apparent, for it is not reproduced in the chrysalis. [This 

 structural explanation is necessary in order that there may be no 

 mistake as to the number of segments, the position of the stigmata, or 

 of the special organ, which I have discovered, and here describe.] On 

 the 11th (8th abdominal) segment, a little behind and a little below the 

 9th (last) pair of stigmata, are two openings, almost exactly like the 

 spiracles, and very nearly of the same size. I thought at first they 

 were two extra breathing-organs, but, as I turned over the larva to 

 examine the openings, which seemed different from those of the 

 spiracles, the larva, which was very restless, suddenly threw out from 

 these cavities a very specialised organ, which I may perhaps best 

 compare with certain tentacles, similarly under the control of certain 

 Polyps. The organ is soft, cylindrical, roughly pyriform, the 

 extremity furnished with little, fleshy, hair-like points, sometimes 

 almost flattened with the surface, at other times spread out around a 

 centre placed at the apex of the caruncle. Under the microscope, it 

 was seen that these apparent little hair-like structures were elongated 

 tentacles, themselves bristling with fleshy spines. Those placed at 

 the circumference are somewhat regularly disposed, and sometimes lie 

 on the cylinder (probably as is necessary when the organ comes out 

 or is withdrawn into the opening), sometimes erected in a menacing- 

 way; but the tentacles are very numerous, crowded together, and lying 

 on one another on the summit, in such a manner that it is impossible 

 to count them. The larva is able to eject these organs at will, some- 

 times singly, at others both together. They shoot them out then like the 

 Y-like osmaterium of Papilionid larvae, or the horns of the Limacodids. 

 Sometimes they only protrude them halfway, and then the tentacles of 

 the apex are expanded little or not at all ; sometimes they are pro- 

 truded entirely, and then the tentacles spread out on all sides. 

 Sometimes the larvae allow themselves to be handled, excited, or goaded, 

 without having recourse to them, a fact which seems to exclude the 

 idea that the organs are a means of defence or intimidation. Whilst 

 at rest, or walking, they are concealed, but the observer can always 

 obtain a view of them by pressing the larva from the head to 

 the anus. It would be interesting to submit them to a greater 

 magnifying power than I have at disposal, in order to study more 

 thoroughly the interlacing fascicles at the summit, and to demonstrate 

 the presence or absence of any opening whatever between them. 

 I have, with my microscope, vainly endeavoured to detect such. But this 

 is not all for this larva presents another peculiarity. On the summit 

 (dorsum) of the 10th (7th abdominal) segment, another opening is to be 

 observed, this time, however, placed transversely, and surrounded by a 

 prominent cushion, around which the granulations wmich cover the 

 w T hole of the body of the larva particularly accumulate. From the 

 centre of this cushion the larva extrudes at will a sort of hemispherical 

 transparent vesicle, from which exudes a very large drop of fluid, 

 and which is replaced by another if the first one be absorbed. The 

 larva only secretes this fluid when excited, imitating the larvae of 

 Cucullia, etc., which spit out from the mouth a coloured fluid, with 

 the idea, no doubt, of injuring those who handle them; but, in these 

 latter larvae, the primitive use of this fluid appears to be sometimes to 

 soften their food, as in the case of Cossus, at others to make the food 



