8730 



Insects. 



littorana, *S. amamana, *E. albicapitana, Ent. Ann. 1862, 111, P. 

 leacheana, P. ochromelana, P. annulatella, C. pinetellus, C. margari- 

 tellus. 



*Cossonus tardii. This insect was in profusion in the timber on the 

 islands in the lakes of Killarney. I could not find the insect on the 

 mainland : no doubt it exists there also, but has been able to spread 

 itself widely in one case and not in the other. 



An Ungallant Irishman. — The driver of the mail car from Ken- 

 mare amused me by his explanation of the constant rain through which 

 he performs his journey for the greater part of the year : "All de old 

 women in Kerry tink dey'd be broke and get no grass for de cow 

 if dere was a month of fine weather, and dey do be always prayin' for 

 rain." 



Limneus involutus. From a little town near the summit of Cro- 

 maghlan Mountain I obtained a number of this curious and fragile 

 shell. I believe there is no other known locality. The animals attach 

 themselves to stones about six inches below the surface of the water, 

 and great care is required in detaching them, as the shell breaks with 

 the slightest pressure. 



On my way home through Wales I met with the following Noctuae 

 at sugar : — *Agrotis corticea, *A. porphyrea, *A. lucernea, *A. Ash- 

 worthii, *Cerigo cytherea, *Mamestra furva. A. lucernea and M. furra 

 especially were in great profusion. 



Edwin Birchall. 



Oakfield Villa, Birkenhead, 

 July 24, 1863. 



Note on an unobserved peculiarity in the Larva of Liparida. — When describing 

 the larvae of Liparis auriflua and Orgyia fascelina T was particularly struck with an 

 anatomical character which I have seen nowhere described. I have, in the published 

 descriptions, spoken of it as a valvular opening on the back of the tenth and eleventh 

 segments. These openings are very conspicuous, and occur also in the larvae of Liparis 

 chrysorrhsea, L. Salicis, L. rnonacha, Orgyia casnosa, O. gonostigma and O. antiqua ; 

 and in all probability in every other species of the family, although I will only speak 

 of it in those species to which I have given especial attention. I need scarcely mention 

 to a company of entomologists how remarkably the Liparida3 differ from the other 

 Nocturni in having the pupa clothed with hair; but the distinction I have now pointed 

 out renders them still more separate, and leads to the consideration, What can be 

 the object of this singular provision of Nature? We are well aware that the larvae 

 of Lepidoptera have on each side nine valvular openings through which the creature 



