BaIRSTOW : DlCRANtJflA ViNULA. 



71 



quite smooth, the dorsal outline rising to a pointed hump on the 

 fourth segment, then falling to the sixth segment, then of uniform 

 substance to the ninth, and thence the body is rapidly attenuated to 

 the thirteenth, which terminates in two horns covered with scabrous 

 points, each emitting, when the caterpillar is irritated, a slender, pink, 

 drooping filament. The head is pale brown in front, and black at the 

 sides. The recess into which the head is withdrawn is pink, with a 

 large black spot on each side. The body has a white lateral stripe, 

 ascending obliquely from each side of the head to the apex of the 

 hump, then descending obliquely to below the spiracle on the eighth 

 segment; then again ascending elliptically, and terminating at the 

 base of the anal horns. Above this white stripe the body is 

 whitish, longitudinally striated with purple brown, the white predo- 

 minating along the median line, the purple brown predominating in 

 the vicinity of the lateral white stripe. Below this white stripe the 

 body is yellow green, with the exception of a nearly round purple 

 brown blotch just above the clasper on the eighth segment. This 

 blotch, not always present, is bordered above with white ; the legs are 

 yellow green, with a black ring at the base and black tips. The eight 

 central claspers are green, the two horn-like anal tubes whitish, with 

 black scabrosities." 



The pink filament referred to in Mr. Newman's exhaustive des- 

 cription is, indeed, a most remarkable appendage, but as regards 

 utility it is yet covered with a mystic cloud. Whether for attack or 

 defence, whether for ornament or of curative properties, is yet to be 

 ascertained. Some indeed say that out of this appendage there issues 

 a kind of acidulated liquid, which can saturate a part affected by any 

 insect or dangerous rival, and perfectly cure the wound ; but this I 

 have not yet personally observed, though I apprehend the statement 

 is founded on fact. If a pin, however, or other sharp instrument be 

 used in touching the larva, almost instantaneously do there protrude 

 these long and slender weapons, and with a shrug the animal's whole 

 body vibrates. 



I have previously referred to two distinct varieties of colour that 

 prevail in all the stages of the caterpillar's existence. One possesses 

 through life a dark red brown colour, another a light pink and even 

 yellowish tinge ; and it has been and is a matter for discussion and 

 speculation whether the tinge is distinctive of the sexes or variety. 

 I believe it to be neither. After many trials, after having bred many 

 species, and in many different manners, I have invariably concluded 



