THE GENERAL SUBJECT. 
Ins. 137 
Cattie, J. S. Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Chorda supra-spinalis der 
Lepidoptera und des centralen, peripherischen und sympathischen 
Nervensy steins der Raupen. Z. wiss. Zool. xxxv. pp. 304-320, 
pi. xii. 
The writer’s researches have been directed to the ventral cord and 
sympathetic nervous system of Acherontia atropos, and to the central, 
peripheral, and sympathetic nervous systems of the larvm of Acherontia 
atropos, Sphinx ligustri, Ilarprjia vinula, and Cossus ligniperda. He sums 
up his principal results as follows: — (1) In Acherontia^ the vagus-system 
is composed only of the frontal ganglion and the nervus recurrens. 
(2) In the larvas examined, the tracheae permeate the small lateral sympa- 
thetic ganglia of the head, but are never connected with the nerves of 
the antennae. (3) The 'sympathetic nervous system in larvae is a con- 
nected whole. The median nerves, which always rise from a ganglion, 
are invariably connected immediately with the succeeding ganglion. 
(4) In the thoracic masses, it is the transverse lateral nerves, and in the 
abdominal ganglia two slender nervous threads, which form this connec- 
tion. (5) No ganglia are formed at the points where the median nerves 
branch. 
Cruger, C. Ueber exotische Lepidopteren (1877). Verb. Ver. Hamb. 
iv. pp. 192-198. 
Notes on collections of Lepidoptera received at Hamburg. 
Dewitz, H. See Insecta^ General Subject. 
Dorfmeister, G. Ueber den Einfluss der Temperatur bei der Erzeu- 
gung der Schmetterlingsvarietaten. MT. Ver. Steirm. 1879, pp. 3-8. 
Experiments on Vanessa atalanta, urticoe^ and levana, Arctia villica^ &c. 
Edwards, W. H. On the length of life of Butterflies. Canad. Ent. 
xiii. pp. 205-210, and Am. Nat. xv. pp. 868 & 869. 
The popular opinion that Butterflies only live a few weeks in the per- 
fect state (except in the case of hibernating species) appears to be in the 
main correct. 
. On the number of molts of Butterflies, with some history of the 
Moth Callosamia promethea. Psyche, iii. pp. 159-161, 171-174. 
The larvsB of Butterflies are constant in the number of moults ; and 
the regular number is four, except in cases of hibernation, and three is a 
very rare exception. In C. promethea, however, the number appears to 
vary according to the latitude or locality. 
Goossens, T. Des Chenilles urticantes, et quelques considerations sur 
I’utilite des oeafs pour la classification. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. (6) i. 
pp. 231-236. 
The larv 00 of several species of Liparis are provided with retractile 
warts, placed on the ninth and tenth segments, and consisting of a num- 
ber of small elevations pierced by one or several holes. These discharge 
a secretion which dries up into a highly irritating dust. In Cnethocampa 
(which the writer refers to the Notodontidm), these glands are less visible, 
but more numerous, extending over the greater part of the back of the 
1881. [voL. xviJi.] B 29 
