caja), and may be found freely on various low plants, on almost any bank, or in gardens. Another is the larva of Lasiocampa quercus, which is much larger, less hairy, and more silken looking than that of Arctia caja. In colour it is variegated, but brown of various shades prevails. It may be found by day resting principally on thorn and willow; it delights so much in being near the ground that it seldom rests at any elevation greater than a few inches up the stem of any plant or shrub; it also occurs freely on moors. In figure this much resembles the larva of Lasiocampa rubi already spoken of, but differs from it in the arrangement of the hair. Both of these require plenty of room, and will thrive best in the large cage. The third differs widely from any we have as yet seen, and changes into the common Anthrocera filipendulæ. It is common on many grassy places, and may be found resting on tall stems of plants and sometimes on walls, but so much resembles in colour the surrounding herbage, that generally it is difficult to distinguish. The cocoon is not less curious, and may be found much more readily: it is bright yellow and is attached to a blade of grass, a twig, a wall, &c., and may be frequently found in profusion. If the cocoons are collected, they must not be torn, but, where practicable, whatever they are attached to must be cut off below and taken with them. For a few days before the perfect insects emerge from the pupa a curious buzzing noise proceeds from the cocoons.

The willows may now be again frequented for the larvæ of Liparis salicis and Tethea subtusa. These are in the habit of constructing habitations for themselves by uniting two or more leaves with silken threads. The former do not invariably do so, but as they are conspicuous they may be easily found. The latter are more retired, and are, therefore, found with more difficulty. Both also occur on poplar. Two or three singular larvæ of Geo

metro may now be found on low plants: so far for May.

June and July may be associated, since the operations of each are similar.

The sand-hills are the great nursery of Lasiocampa trifolii, and may, therefore, be frequented early in June for the larvae of this species. The prevailing colour of these is yellow, and they rest by day upon the ground. The moss on some parts of the hills is becoming yellow through want of moisture, and as it is the colour of the larvæ, it often effectually prevents their being seen. Sometimes, also, they are partially concealed by dead and prostrate stems of plants, so that they are difficult to find; the practised eye of an entomologist bent upon his object will, nevertheless, find plenty.

There are many larvæ on the trees and bushes now, which are nearly, if not quite, at their growth, and these, if wanted, must be at once obtained. The caterpillars of the autumn and spring moths are those principally spoken of. All kinds of trees may be now searched, and much trouble may be avoided by noticing where the leaves are freshly eaten and such places may be examined by beating and catching in the net or umbrella, shaking out the refuse from time to time. In beating for caterpillars place the open umbrella as much as possible under the branch or bush on which an attack is meditated, and then give the branch or bush two or three sudden and sufficiently heavy blows with a stick; the suddenness of the blows takes the larvæ unawares, and down they fall. Caterpillars of the Geometra and many others often descend by means of silken threads, which would still support and withdraw them from the umbrella when it is taken from under the branch or bush; the entomologist must, therefore, see that none are left suspended. There are some larvæ which closely resemble a bit of dead stick, so that on ex

amining the umbrella care should be taken not to reject them.

In some places large, white, dense webs occur frequently on the hedges in June. They are generally apparent to the eye of every one, but are passed with little notice. To the entomologist they are more attractive, as he knows or conjectures that they are the work of some insect. They are, in fact, nests of the beautiful larvæ of Clisiocampa neustria. On sunny days they may be seen basking together and often side by side on the surface of the web, and are then conspicuous objects; in cloudy or wet weather, on the contrary, they stay within and are then not seen. In taking these, the branch on which the web is spun should be cut off below and all taken together. Sometimes, however, if the larvæ are on the outside, they will drop on being shaken, and against this the entomologist must guard. Those thrive well in the large cage. A little later in the season the caterpillars of Eriogaster lanestris occur gregariously in similar situations and webs; they are also somewhat similar in their habits.

To forget and neglect those which have already gone into pupa would be throwing away past trouble; and as some may be coming out now into butterflies or moths, it is necessary to have a constant watch on those cages which contain them. When a specimen is newly hatched it has its wings folded up, but as soon as it has gained a suitable position the wings gradually expand; at first they are moist and soft, but they soon stiffen. Specimens must always be allowed to stretch and dry their wings before they are killed, otherwise they are of no use. A good criterion in judging when to kill them is to test their ability to fly: if they can do so well they may be put to death.

August finds us on a ramble to the sandhills in pur

suit of the larvæ of the small Elephant Hawk-moth (Charocampa porcellus). These feed on bedstraw, aud rest by day upon the ground, where they must be sought in the neighbourhood of their food. At first sight they have something of a snake-like appearance, and the entomologist hesitates to touch them. He grows bolder, and attempts to take hold of one he has found, but a sign of impatience on the part of the caterpillar causes the fingers to be suddenly withdrawn; he looks at it again and hesitates, at last concludes it is harmless, and secures his prize. With the second and future ones there is no hesitation.

Somewhat similar to these are the larvæ of the Elephant Hawk-moth (Charocampa elpenor), which are also to be met with now. They feed upon various species of Epilobium, and rest by day upon the stems of these plants or upon others near them. They are conspicuous, and are, therefore, easily found. To succeed in rearing them, the cage in which they are put must be kept damp, in order to resemble their natural localities, the marshy places in which their food plants grow.

At this season of the year a portion of an oak or beech tree, and frequently a willow bush, is found to be defoliated. Either something very large, or more probably something very plentiful, has been doing the mischief; and on inspection a full-grown brood of the gregarious and parti-coloured larvæ of Pygæra bucephala are found to be the culprits. These will be little trouble, and as they will soon become pupa they may be put into the large cage. Whilst walking along, a willow twig or two are perhaps noticed to be partially stripped of their leaves; this has not been the work of an idle passer-by, since the stalks are left, and the leaves have evidently been eaten by what proves to be the beautiful and very curious larva of Cerura vinula; this may also be found on various

species of poplar. The singular larvæ of Cerura bifida and C. furcula also occur now respectively on poplar and willow. All the species in this genus make curious cocoons, and the larvæ have great powers of tenacity in their prolegs. They generally hold very firmly to the twig on which they rest, and unless removed with great care, they are torn and eventually die of the wound.

The same remark may also be made with respect to the very beautiful caterpillars of Smerinthus ocellatus and S. populi. The former are almost invariably on

willows, and the latter sometimes feed on the same bushes, but are more frequently found on poplars. The large and varied caterpillar of the Death's Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos) may also be found now feeding on the tops of potatoes. Many very curious and beautiful larvæ of various tribes also occur at this season. Amongst the Bombyces, some perhaps of the most notable in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, are those of the genus Notodontz. The caterpillars of Notodonta dictea and N. dictoides are very similar in shape and general habits, but differ in colour. Those of the one species feed on poplar, and the other on birch. Whilst at rest they lie at full length upon a twig or on the stalk of a leaf, and are often so difficult to detect, that a practised and keen eye will miss them. The humped larva of Notodonta dromedarius is often called the Dromedary, and may be found on alder. Allied to this is the variable and often splendid caterpillar of Notodonta ziczac, which may frequently be met with on birch and willow.

All these, as well as many others, may be found now by day, by examining the twigs and underside of leaves, in places where the trees and bushes are freshly eaten. Amongst the Noctua the larva of Apatela leporina is, perhaps, one of the most curious and beautiful. It occurs on birch, is covered with curved hair, and when coiled up