1885.] Colouriug of Phytophagous Larvce. 301 



August 4ith. — Upon 8. Viminalis on the River Cherwell, near Ox- 

 ford, an almost full-grown larva of the whitish-green variety (normal 

 according to observation). 



(About) August 7th. — Upon (probably) S. Ferruginea* (Anderson), 

 on the Cherwell, two almost full-grown larvae of nearly opposite 

 varieties and both on the same tree. One was a bright yellowish-green 

 variety (I believe abnormal on this tree), the other inclining towards 

 the whitish-green side of an intermediate form (probably representing 

 the tendency of this food-plant, and therefore normal). 



(About) August 7th. — On 8. Rubra (Cherwell) three larvae; two 

 just entered the last stage, one quite small in the third stage. All 

 yellowish- green (normal), and one of the larger ones with brownish- 

 red spots round all the spiracles except the first. 



August 11th. — On 8. Ferruginea (Cherwell : the same tree as that 

 on which the two opposite forms were found, as described above) ; 

 two larvae at the close of the fourth stage, and both inclining to the 

 white side of an intermediate variety (probably normal). 



Also on 8: Viminalis, a full-grown bright yellowish-green larva 

 (abnormal according to my observations). The larva may have 

 wandered from a neighbouring 8. Rubra, but this is not likely, as the 

 8. Viminalis was much eaten and the other apparently not eaten at 

 all. On other occasions I have found the interlacing branches of 

 8. Viminalis and 8. Rubra eaten in such a way as to suggest that a 

 larva had wandered from one to the other. 



August 14sth. — Upon 8. Smithiana, at Botley, near Oxford, a full- 

 grown larva inclining to the yellow side of an intermediate variety 

 (probably slightly abnormal). Also upon 8. Smithiana at Boar's 

 Hill, near Oxford, a full-grown larva inclining to the white side of 

 intermediate variety (probably normal). Also upon Pyrus Malus (var. 

 Acerba) at Boar's Hill, an adult, very bright yellowish-green larva 

 (probably normal). In this last case there were the brownish-red 

 patches in front of and behind the eight posterior spiracles, but none 

 of the other series of spots which are sometimes present. 



August 16th. — Upon 8. Rubra (Cherwell) an adult intermediate 

 variety (abnormal). 



August 17th. — Upon a small tree of 8. Babylonica, in a garden at 

 Oxford, six larvae, of which five had just entered the fifth stage, or 

 were passing through the last ecdysis. These were intermediate 



* The tree in question (of which I have only seen a single specimen) was referred 

 in the autumn of 1884 by Rev. J. E. Leefe and Mr. Gr. C. Druce to this species, 

 while Mr. Bennet suggested S. Rugosa. This spring (1885) I hare submitted the 

 catkins to Mr. Q-. C. Druce, who has kindly sent specimens to other authorities, with 

 the following results : Mr. S. G. Baker, of "Kew, states that it is typical Smithiana, 

 while the Rev. J. E. Leefe and Mr. Druce adhere to their former opinion that the 

 plant is S. Ferruginea. — May 22, 1885. 



