THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



ITS 



not very distinct, and not sharply angulated as in Cramhus geniculellus. It 

 is smaller than the common Cramhus tristellus, and has no brown angulated 

 line on the hind margin as that moth has. Many of the veins are whitish 

 ochreous, and the fringes of the wings are destitute of the glossy appearance 

 those of geniculellus present. 



Among the Tortrices which the lepidopterist may meet with this month 

 are Phlceodes immundana, Bactra lanceolana (common among rushes), the 

 common 7ittle Anchylopera laudana and the variable Bictyopteryx contawin- 

 ana, so common about hawthorn up to the end of October. I have not 

 space for any others. 



The yellow-grey larvae of Acronycta megacephala may be found this month 

 on poplar trees, and the slightly hairy, green caterpillars of A. ligusiri on ash 

 and privet, as also may the brownish-black, blue-spotted larva of A. salicis, 

 on sallow. Other August caterpillars are the brown Axylia putris, with yel- 

 low dorsal line, feeding on low plants ; the green, white-lined Trachea pini- 

 perda on fir trees ; the grey Dianthecia carpophaga, the yellow D. cucubal{ 

 (both of which feed on the seeds of Silene inflata) ; the green HeliotJiis 

 umbra (marginata 3 ) with yellow spiracular line, and the green H. pelligera, 

 with white spiracular line, both of which should be looked for on rest-harrow. 



Besides these, may be found the green larva of Venilia maculata, with 

 white spiracular line, feeding on nettle ; the brown caterpillars of Biston hir- 

 taria, on elm ; and the brown, marbled with white, Amphydasis prodromaria, 

 on oak, birch, and other trees, it has six little reddish protuberances, two on 

 the eighth segment, two more on the ninth and two others on the twelfth. 

 Other looper caterpillars to be found now are the variable (brown, green, or 

 grey) A, betularia, on birch, having a bifid head and four whitish protuber- 

 ances (two on the ninth segment and two more on the twelfth) ; the reddish 

 and black Tephro&ia crepuscularia on willow, elm, poplar, and other trees ; 

 the lilac-coloured Asthena sylvata, on alder ; the elongate green Melantkia 

 albicillata, with seven triangular red spots on the back and white spiracular 

 line, feeding on bramble and in gardens on raspberry ; and the brown Mela- 

 nippe hastata } living in rolled up birch leaves, and recognisable by the row of 

 yellow spots along each side in a line with the spiracles. 

 Cambridge. 



THE COMMON TOAD. 



(Bufo vulgaris.} 

 By W. H. WARNER. 

 The favourite haunts of the poor abused toad are damp, moist, ditches, 

 gardens, and orchards, and here, notwithstanding the poisonous reputation 



