HIMERA PENNARIA. 9 
confirmed my observation from examination of ex- 
amples which I have sent them, and we are now 
examining as many species of the large geometrous 
larve as we can obtain, but so far without finding 
any evidence of a similar absorption or suppression 
of a leg once developed. In other species—as, for 
instance, iff Anisopteryx xscularia (Hnt. Mo. Mag., 
Oct. 1877, XIV, 113) we find such legs developed after 
a moult or two, but continuing to the last in the same 
proportionate size; on the other hand, many Noctue 
when hatched have only two out of their four pairs 
of ventral legs of full size, but the other two by 
degrees grow larger, and at last take their full share 
in walking and holding fast. 
But in this case a pair of legs is developed, is of no 
use at any time, and by-and-by is again suppressed ; 
the only thing like it at all, which I can now call to 
mind, is the appearance, of two horns behind the 
head of the newly hatched larva of Cerwra vinula, 
which by degrees are absorbed and disappear ; still, 
this does not seem so strange as the appearance and 
subsequent disappearance of even a useless limb. 
(John Hellins, 9th June, 1881; H.M.M., July, 1881, 
XVIIT, 33.) 
PHIGALIA PILOSARIA. 
Plate CIX, fig. 5. 
Distinguishing Characters of the Larve of Nyssia 
hispidaria and Phigaha pilosaria.—l have before now 
been puzzled how to distinguish the larve of these 
two species, and, indeed, have bred the moths of the 
one from what I had taken for the larvee of the other ; 
but this year, through the kindness of Mr. Batty, I 
have had the opportunity of settling this difficulty for 
myself, and | now venture to send a note of the most 
striking points of difference. 
Both larvee are alike in this, that they are very 
