4370 Fishes. — Insects. 



Note on the Dorsal Ciliary Fibres of the Five-bearded Rockling. — Those readers of 

 the ' Zoologist ' whose attention has been turned to Ichthyology are doubtless aware 

 that the five-bearded rockling is one of the commonest of those species of fish which 

 frequent the rocky parts of our coast, and are to be obtained among the stones and 

 sea-weeds in the pools of water left by the receding tide : they will also recollect that 

 this fish is not only furnished with the five fleshy barbules around the mouth, from 

 which it derives its name, but also with a similar barbule, of a somewhat stiffer tex- 

 ture, which is planted on the nape of the neck, between the roots of the pectoral fins. 

 Tn the space intervening between this barbule (which is ordinarily kept in an erect 

 position) and the dorsal fin, there is a furrow-like depression reaching from the barbule 

 to the fin, all along the bottom of which is arranged a single close-set row of minute 

 ciliary fibres, which are constantly to be seen in rapid vibratory motion, the movement 

 extending throughout the whole of the row, and often continuing for a considerable 

 period, especially (as far as my observation goes) when the fish is at rest after having 

 been disturbed, though whether it only happens then I cannot say, but I think it never 

 occurs when the fish is in motion. As I write from the sea coast, and have no books 

 of reference by me, I am unable to say whether this peculiarity has been noticed by 

 ichthyologists, but it appears to me to be a curious habit, and one which it would, if 

 possible, be interesting to investigate and to explain. I therefore beg to call to the 

 subject the attention of naturalists residing on the coast.— J. H. Gurney ; May 22, 

 1854. 



Abundance of the Larva of Lasiocampa Trifolii. — The larva of the above-named 

 species has been exceedingly plentiful here this season, myself and two friends having 

 taken nearly one hundred in the course of a few days' collecting. The cliffs adjoining 

 Bovisand and Whitsand Bay were the most productive localities. — W. H. Hayward; 

 Devonport, Devon, June 16, 1854. 



List of Eupithecice, fyc, reared from Larvae. — I have lately bred the following 

 Eupitheciae : — 



Eupithecia piperaria. From larvae on Gentiana campestris, in August and Sep 

 tember. Six. 



„ fagicolaria. From ditto ditto. Thirteen. 



„ innotaria. I believe from larva on hazel, in September. One. 



„ minutaria. From larva on nettle, in September. One. 



„ tenuiaria. From larva on wild thyme, in July. One. 



„ rufifasciaria. From pupae under oak, in August. Two. 



I have also bred from larvae taken last year : — 



Geometra illustraria. From larva on hazel, in September. One. 

 Ephyra undularia. From larva on sallow, in October. One. 



„ omicronaria. From larva on beech, in September. One. 

 Xerene adustaria. From larva on maple, in September. One. 

 Eurymene dolabraria. From larvae on beech, in September. Three. 

 Boarmia consonaria. From larva on beech, in September. One. 

 Numeria pulveraria. From larvae on hazel, August and September. Seventeen. 

 Abraxas ulraaria. From larvae on wych elm, in September. Sixteen. 



