350 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



more easily assimilated by aiding as a kind of salivation. Here, 

 however, nothing of the kind takes place. One cannot fairly compare' 

 this vesicle with the tubercular eminences which many other larvae 

 carry in a similar position, and which are altogether independent of 

 the trapezoidal warts, which, asl have elsewhere noted, are intimate 

 structural parts of the general organisation of larvae ; these eminences 

 are sometimes permanently fixed, sometimes retractile, as I have also 

 explained, but I know none that have an aperture, and are able, in 

 consequence, to allow the passage of any fluid whatever, but I 

 assured myself, in skinning a larva of L. boeticus, that the integument 

 has really an aperture at this point, and also that the droplet is not 

 due simply to exudation. For the rest, the lymphatic temperament of 

 this larva, added to the succulent nature of its food, disposes it 

 strongly to these emissions of fluid. Such are the two singular 

 points presented by the larva of L. boeticus, and it appears to me that 

 they well deserve the attention of observers. The purpose and the 

 nature of this exceptional structure are not easy to guess, and, in this 

 case, as in so many others concerning which I have expressed my 

 ignorance, the field of conjecture remains open. The explanations 

 that have been suggested in certain analogous cases appear to be too 

 far-fetched, and I have no new suggestions to offer." It appears to be 

 a peculiar fact that, whilst many of the early authors noticed the con- 

 nection between the Lycaenid larva and ants, without observing, or even 

 knowing of the existence of, the gland, Guenee described the gland 

 without surmising that it had any connection with the ants. In fact, 

 Guenee studied the larva, hoping to find some curiosity connected with 

 its living inside the pod of Colutea, yet these glands are of use only 

 when the larva is outside, and so accessible to ants (and enemies from 

 which ants may protect them), also indirectly suggesting that Colutea 

 is only one of many foodplants, and not by any means the principal 

 one, as suggested by many authors. 



Ants attending larvae of Lampides bceticus. — Niceville says 

 (Butts, of India, iii., p. 205) that he has found three species of ants 

 attending the larva? of L. boeticus in India, at Calcutta, viz., Camponotiis 

 rubripes var. compressus, Fab., Tapinom.a ■melanocephalum , Fab., Preno- 

 lepis obscura var. clandestina, Mayr (identified by Forel). 



Larva in quiescent stage preceding pupation. — 8* 5mm. long, 

 fastened loosely by the tail and a few threads crossing over metathorax ; 

 the body a little arched, so that the prolegs are raised. The colour is 

 pinkish-brown over a white interior ; a redder dorsal band, and red 

 oblique bands (straight on mesothorax) from the prothorax to the 6th 

 abdominal segment ; the lateral line not distinct. The larva has a 

 transverse indented mark on the 7th abdominal segment, and a circular 

 area free from spicules, and puckered to centre, behind (and a little 

 outside) the 8th abdominal spiracle. The spiracles are large, with a 

 plain outer brown line, and an inner one also smooth, except that it is 

 not quite clear of a series of markings just outside it. The spicules 

 are numerous and rather closely-set, very dark brown, darker than any 

 other markings ; they have a central straight spiculated shaft with 

 some four to eight basal offsets, generally, however, five or six ; the 

 length of the central shaft varies a good deal ; along the subdorsal 

 line a number of these glisten like crystal, being transparent and 

 colourless ; they are more numerous on the later segments and on the 



