General  comparison  of  the  different  forms  of  the  larva
OF  L.  QUERCUS. — ^The  differences  between  the  various  forms  of  the
larva  of  this  species  that  have  been  examined — English  quercih^
callunae^  meridionalis^  vilmrni,  and  sicula  —  consist  chiefly  in  the
colour  and  markings  of  the  head  and  the  colour  of  the  hairs  (see
antedy  p.  37).  The  latter  may,  for  convenience,  be  considered
under  two  heads :  i.  The  long  hairs,  more  or  less  evenly  distributed
all  over  the  body.  2.  The  fine,  short,  closely  -  massed  hairs  of  the
dorsal  and  subdorsal  areas,  which  form  a  thick  fur.  This  fur,  as
we  have  already  shown  (antcd^  p  36),  is  most  probably  of  protective
value,  as  the  hairs  forming  it  are  readily  detached,  and  produce
irritating  urticating  results  if  they  enter  the  skin.  The  following
are  the  chief  colour  peculiarities  presented  ^compare,  anted ^  p.  37) :

1.  Callunae, — Both  the  long  hairs  and  short  fur  are  dark  brown  (approaching
the  hairs  oi Macrothylacia  rubi'm  colour).  [This  appears  to  be  the  most  specialised
form  in  an  opposite  direction  to  the  line  of  development  exhibited  by  the  larva  of
Z.  var.  meridionalis,']

2.  QuercAs  (English). — The  long  hairs  brown ;  the  short  fur  dirty  white  or  pale
dusky  brown.
3.  VibumL — The  long  hairs  white ;   the  short  fur  bright  reddish-brown.
4.  .Si't^/a.— Both  the  long  hairs  and  short  fur  as  in  the  larva  of  vtbumt\  but
possibly  a  little  paler.
