8 THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
these naturalists are working. The following will illustrate: 
<The life and behaviour of the Cuckoo,”’ “The role of vision 
in the mental life of the mouse,’’ and ““The sense of hearing 
in Frogs.” 
(The lecturer gave interesting excerpts from the works of 
the Peckhams and others, illustrating advanced field naturalist 
work). Our work lies in the life of the world about us, and 
guided by the scientific training of these modern days into 
accuracy of observation, and aided by love of the natural 
world, much can be done by the humblest worker. To the stu- 
dent of nature there is one certainty that however great the 
work and however difficult it may prove, “‘nature never did 
betray the heart that loved her.” 
OBSERVATIONS ON LEPIDOPTERA. 
By C. H. Wickham. 
Chelepteryx Collesi. The caterpillar feeds on eucalyptus 
leaves at night, resting by day on the bark where it is incon- 
spicuous. They sometimes grow to a length of six inches. The 
writating brown hairs are readily shed, and constitute an 
effective defence against molestation. When pupating the 
caterpillar presses its back against the silky cocoon, causing the 
hairs to protrude right through, in which position they re- 
main when the caterpillar withdraws its back. The sides are 
then treated in the same way. The cocoon is thus thoroughly 
protected. The larvae are found from November to January, 
and the pupal state lasts for 150 to 160 days. 
Aciptilia aptalis. The larvae of this little moth is only 
half an inch in length, pale green, and covered with fine white 
hairs. They somewhat resemble Lycenid butterfly larvae in 
appearance and habits. The food plant is Astrotricha floccosa 
the leaf surfaces being eaten. The larvae pupate without 
spinning a cocoon, attaching themselves by the tail and lying 
close to the surface of the leaves. In this they resemble 
butterflies, but differ in having the legs free and in having 
the power of slightly rising when touched. The larvae are 
found in January and February, and the pupal state lasts for 
only 8 days. 
Papilio aegeus. In January last I took two larvae of this 
common citrus feeding butterfly. One was nearly full grown, 
and was given plenty of food, and pupated January 31st. The 
other was only half grown, and through my being unable to 
secure sufficient food for it, grew very little more before pupat- 
ing on February 23rd; it hatched out in 20 days, while the 
well fed individual completed its metamorphosis in 294 days. 
