2i6 
NATURE NOTES 
done to it, and had it been released the probabilities are that some other of these 
diligent “harvesters” would have secured it. How the two had launched 
together on their downward journey was the next puzzle. Had the ant arrived on 
the scene up in the tree at the moment this full-fed caterpillar had completed the 
anchoring arrangements of its descending thread and made ready to cast itself off? 
Had the ant, in its eagerness, seized its prey at that moment so that both were 
launched away together ? They must have come away together : one can scarcely 
conceive of the ant climbing down the thread and reaching the caterpillar that 
way. Then comes the question, how is it the slender, silken cable did not snap 
with the weight of both, and further, how was the poor caterpillar able to 
continue to manufacture its cable while in the clutches of so fell an enemy ? 
They had descended ii ft. or 12 ft., and were still 4 ft. or 5 ft. from the ground. 
I am sorry I did not watch awhile to see if more thread was given out before 
getting them in my hand. 
This may be an ordinary incident in ant and caterpillar life, but I have not 
seen one of this kind before. There are countless numbers of ants in these 
woods, Formica rufa especially. I have seen them scores of times tugging, singly 
and in pairs, with caterpillars, dead flies and spiders, fir needles, &c., but not 
noticed them descending from trees in the way above stated. On the same occa- 
sion scores of ants were climbing the oak-trees to fetch the caterpillars down by 
the same route they went up, and carrying them home. In fact, this particular 
day appeared to be their particular “ harvest.” 
Halifax, Yorks. C. Crossi.and. 
178 . Insects at High Altitudes.— While on a visit to the south of 
Tasmania in the early part of the present winter, a friend and myself agreed to 
try and gain the summit of Mount Wellington, to view its aspect under a mantle 
of snow. We left Hobart just at dawn, while the frost lay white on the ground, 
and proceeded by way of a wooded gully and past a waterfall called “ The Gentle 
Annie,” from the rush and roar of its waters. Above this we gained a track 
which led to the “Fern-tree Bower,” whence we made our way along the 
mountain-side to the Springs, at which point climbing began in earnest. We 
soon got off the track and into deep snow, where climbing became laborious 
work, and it was only after great exertion that we arrived at the summit of the 
ridge, and wended our way to the rocks at the pinnacle. This point is 4,166 feet 
above sea-level, and is surrounded by a great rock-strewn plateau, at this time 
covered thickly with virgin snow. A cold wind blew across the plateau, which 
resembled a corner snatched from the Antarctic. Vet, in spite of this, we were 
surprised to notice quite a number of black insects crawling over the snowy 
surface, and apparently enjoying this form of exercise. We captured a couple, 
and found them to be about a quarter of an inch in length, with long, slender 
antennoe and well-developed hind legs, like those of a young grasshopper. 
We afterwards took them to the Government Entomologist, who identified 
them as immature crickets of the species known as Acripeza reticulata, the adult 
form of which is well known in the colony, and attains a large size. 
West Devonport, Tasmania, II. .STUART Dove, 
Jicly 13, 1904. F.Z.S. 
179 . Convolvulus Hawk-moth.— A perfect specimen of the Convolvulus 
(Sphinx co/ivolvuli) has just been brought to me for identification. 
The lady who brought it found it in Heath Street, Hampstead, settled on the 
leaves of a flowering tobacco plant. It had no doubt been attracted by the sweet 
perfume of those flowers, which they give out especially towards evening. 
The measurement from the points of the wings is five inches full, and nearly 
as large as the Death’s-head Moth, which, like the Convolvulus Hawk-moth, is 
rare, but sometimes found in this neighbourhood. 
4t, Ihath Stieet, Hampstead, N. ]V. James E. Wm iTNG. 
August 15, 1904. 
180 . Fruit and Blossom. — Apple blossom at this time of the year, when 
the fruit in the orchards has arrived at a ripening age, is indeed out of season. 
While staying at a small village near Swindon, I was surprised to find an apple tree 
in my relative’s orchard bearing fruit and some blossom as well. 
Carlyle Lodge, Ciias. E. J. Hanneit. 
Canonhury Place, N., September 9. 
