Insects. 



6579 



are exactly like those of a serpent ? I am led to ask these questions from having 

 seen in the fernery of a friend a remarkable worm, which, in outward appearance, dif- 

 fered little from the ordinary earth-worm, but whose motions were essentially 

 different, being far more lively and serpentine in character. There was a slight steel- 

 blue metallic colour about the anterior segments, but not more, I think, than in the 

 ordinary worm. I may mention that it is quite possible that the worm in question 

 may be a foreigner, for it was at first noticed in earth which came with some exotic 

 ferns from Belgium. It has now become very plentiful in the fernery. Possibly I 

 may be describing a species well known and common ; if so, I must confess my igno- 

 rance, for I certainly never before noticed a worm with such lively and snake-like 

 movements. — George Norman ; Hull, May 9, 1859. 



Description of the Larva of Eupithecia assimilata. — During the last two years I 

 have paid considerable attention to the larvae of the genus Eupithecia, and, through 

 my own exertions and the kindness of friends, I have become acquainted with between 

 twenty and thirty species of many of these. I have taken descriptions, and, as 

 the Eupithecia family is one with which the majority of entomologists are but little 

 acquainted, I propose each month, as I may be able, to give an accurate description 

 of some one species. Having, in each instance, kept the larva separate and bred the 

 perfect insect, I can speak with a certainty. My friend, Mr. Greene, having 

 mentioned my name in connexion with E assimilata (Zool. 6542), I will begin with 

 that species. Last October, 1858, I happened to be staying here with my father, and 

 the thought struck me that there was no reason why E. assimilata should not be 

 a Derbyshire insect. I had never seen the larva, but had heard that it fed on black 

 currant, so out I turned into the kitchen-garden and set to work among the bushes ; I 

 had not been there more than half an hour when the dinner-bell rang, but I had bagged 

 sixteen, which number in two days was increased to nearly forty. The majority of these, 

 however, were, as usual, ichneumoned. The larva is slender and tapering slightly to- 

 wards the head, and about three-quarters of an inch in length. The ground-colour yel- 

 lowish green. Segments of rings yellow ; the central dorsal line dark $»reen ; the 

 two side ones of the same colour, but very indistinct; these latter studded, in some 

 instances, at intervals with black dots. The whole body thickly sprinkled with small 

 yellowish green tubercles, and very sparingly strewed with short whitish hairs. It 

 strongly resembles a young larva of E. cervinaria. It turns pinkish when ready 

 to spin up. The pupa is greenish brown, and enclosed in an earthern cocoon. The 

 larva feeds, towards the middle of October, on the under side of the leaves of the black 

 currant; mine were taken October 13 — 15. I am inclined to think it is double- 

 brooded. It eats oblong holes in the leaves, by which its presence may be generally 

 detected. In repose it mostly lies along the mid-rib of the leaf. — H. Harpur Crewe ; 

 Breadsall Rectory, Derby, May 6, 1859. 



Entomological Puzzle. — In January last, while in Surrey, I noticed a fine Norway 

 spruce that had apparently been blown down by the wind ; the bole was snapped 

 asunder about three feet from the ground. On a closer inspection, however, the wood 

 at the place of the frac.ure was found mined in all directions by some wood-boring 

 larva, probably a Sirex ; thus the primary cause of the fall of the tree was evident. 



