ISO 
ground-colour of the back is piukisli-grey or l,inki.U.l.ro^v,., tbc .ides 
lur, and the belly wliite. , 
dorsal line very thin, is dark greyish-brown or pmk.sh-grey ; the .ub- 
ripe is of a similar colour but a little paler ; the spiracular Imes a 1 tt o 
md paler, though on the thoracic segments it is not hnear bu blotch ; 
,piracular line is thinner still and of the same Vi^^^^^Sroj _ ^^'l^'' '' ^ 
brownish-grey or pinkish-grey, ^vith an ochrcons tinge, havmg the a. e 
d the mouth blackish ; on the back of the second segment is a pmlusl.- 
wn semi-cireular plate, and another on the anal tip ; the small tubercy <a 
dark brown, each having a fine bristle of the san.e colour ; the spn'acles 
vious to pupation, the larva gnaws an oval hole from within at the side of 
1, and covers it carefully witli silk and bits of dry reed, so as almost 
to conceal it, and which serves as an outlet for the moth. 
, pupa is three-quarters of an inch long, moderately slender, and of nearly 
bulk, tapering only at the two last abdominal segments ; the anal extremity 
.d fringed with a circle of small hooks ; its colouris a pale «^^reous-brown, 
t little polish. The moths emerged on June -Ith to July 2nd.-WM. Blckllk, 
■•th. 
tes on the larva of Acronycta alni.-A friend, who took a larva of this 
ast summer, in Herefordshire, has communicated to me some curious facts 
ng it, with permission to make what use of them I pleased. With a view 
re, of encouraging the search for this larva, so widely distributed, yet so 
send the following particulars : — 
,e larva was taken on alder, the 17tli of July, and was not recognised as 
alni, being then black and whitish-grey, and resembling a piece of birds 
(this comparison, it will be remembered, has been used before for this 
After changing its skin, it showed clubbed hairs, and was recognised. It 
all hours, by day as well as by night, resting on the uppcr-side of the leaf, 
xs very easUy dislodged. Tt was sluggish, and drank freely. Surely this may 
explanation of so many having failed to induce this larva to feed in confine 
it wanted water, men about to change, it nibbled a large hole in a piece 
k, and, fastening the fragments together, framed its cocoon, and became a 
pupa, with the abdominal segments rather long and pointed, 
'he larva was beaten in the usual way with umbrella and stick. It was 
ffered water till it got sluggish, and seemed preparing to change, ^whcn 
a bath given it, which "assists some larv^ in changing their coats." At 
leriod it rolled about, if disturbed, in a loose half-circle, speedily returmng to 
u-ht position. After changing its skin, it grew rapidly, and drank sevei-al 
ch-ops of water daily. As thcsg were sprinkled on the leaves, it moved its 
from side to side, and drank very quietly. At this time it was isolated, and 
he choice of several sorts of leaf. Tt ate a little lime and a ittle oak, but 
at first : afterwards confining itself to small alder leaves, at the lower end of 
ig shoots. There were several large oaks closo to the alder hedge ; also apple, 
and nut in rear of the spot, where it was taken. The last moult was about 
22nd of July, and it turned to a pupa the first week in August. After changing 
kin, it did not eat the cast-off coat, bat left it on the upper-side of a leaf.- 
NA.RD SMi'fH, Marlow, November 21th, 1869. 
