New York 
 
 State College of Agriculture 
 
 At Cornell University 
 
 Ithaca, N. Y. 
 
 r/ 
 
 Library 
 
 Cornell University Library 
 QL 542.B88 1834 
 
 3 1924 018 266 902 
 

 Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <f> 
 
 
 
 
BOOK OF BUTTERFLIES, 
 
 SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 
 
HUINBURGH) 
 
 ilTKSN, lj ST JillBS'l 
 
— ''in Till: VARIOI S "i PARTMEOTS' 
 
 LITERATITUE, SCIENCE X- THE ARTS . 
 
 THE BOOK OF BUTTERFLIES VOL III 
 
 0K»TOr'tfT» to - 
 
BOOK OF BUTTERFLIES, 
 
 SPHINGES, AND MOTHS; 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR 
 ENGRAVINGS, 
 
 COLOURED AFTER NATURE. 
 
 CAPTAIN THOMAS BROWN, 
 
 ELLOW OF THE LINN*AN SOCIETY, MEMDER OF THE WKRNER1AK. 
 
 KIRIVANIAN, AND PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, AND 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. III. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 WHITTAKER & CO. ; AND WAUGH & INNKS. 
 
 EDINBURGH. 
 
 1834. 
 
176293 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 A Moral, . , ... 9 
 
 Modern Arrangement oe Lepidopterous Insects, 11 
 
 Order Lepidoptera, — Linntcus, . . ib. 
 
 Tribe I — Diurna, ib. 
 
 Family I — Papilionides, . . 12 
 
 1. Hexapoda, . . . ib. 
 
 2. Perlata, . . . .13 
 .;. Ai(fu8, . . . . .20 
 
 (ienus Papilio, — Latrcilli-, . . ib. 
 
 I taatu Vanessa, — Latreille, . 21 
 
 Genus Polyommatus, — Latreille, ib. 
 
 Family II. — Hesperides, . . ib. 
 
 Genus IIesperia, — Latreille, . 33 
 
 Tribe II Crepuscularia, . . ib. 
 
 Family I IIesperi-Spiiinges, — Latreille, 38 
 
 Genus C'astnia, — Latreille, . ib. 
 
 Family II. — Sphingides, — Latreille, . ib. 
 
 Genus Sphinx, — Latreille, . 24 
 
Page 
 
 Family III Zygsnides, — Latrcillc, . 24 
 
 Genus Zygjena, — Fabricius, • 25 
 Tribe III. — Nocturna, . . 26 
 Family I Bomdycites, — Latrcillc, . it- 
 Genus Bombyx, — Fabricius, . . ib. 
 Family II—Noctuo-Bombycites, 27 
 Genus Cossus, — Latrcillc, . . 28 
 Family III. — Tineites, Latrcillc, . . 30 
 Genus Tinea, — Latrcillc, . . 31 
 
 Family IV Noctu/blites, . • 32 
 
 Genus Noctua, — Fabricius, • 33 
 
 Family V Tortrices, — Latrcillc, . ib. 
 
 Genus Pyralis, — Latrcillc, . . 34 
 
 Family VI Phal«nites, — Latrcillc, . ib. 
 
 Genus Phal^na, — Latrcillc, . 35 
 
 Family VII. — Crambites, — Latrcillc, . 36 
 
 Genus Ckambus,' Latrcillc, . . ib. 
 
 Family VIII Pterophorites, — Latrcillc, ib. 
 
 Genus Pterophorus, — Latrcillc, . 37 
 
 Tbc Paralccta Butterfly, . 38 
 
 The Idalia Butterfly, ... 40 
 
 The Vklura Butterfly, . . .41 
 
 The Tbyria Butterfly, ... 44 
 
 The Ebulo Butterfly, . . .46 
 
 Tho Atymnus Butterfly, . . 47 
 
 The Heckuba Butterfly, . . • 49 
 
The Diomodos Butterfly, 
 
 The Sakuni Butterfly, 
 
 The Sugriva Butterfly, . . 
 
 Tho American Comma Butterfly, 
 
 Tho Golden Copper Buttorfly, 
 
 Tho Ravindra Butterfly, 
 
 Tho Agnor Buttorfly, 
 
 Tho Arjuna Butterfly, 
 
 Tho Single Spot Buttorfly, 
 
 Tho White Admirable Butterfly, 
 
 Tho Artaxcrxcs Butterfly, 
 
 Tho Azure-Blue Butterfly, 
 
 Drury's Sphinx, . « 
 
 The Clear Winged Humming Sphinx, 
 
 Tho Convolvulus Sphinx, 
 
 Tho Lime Hawk Moth, 
 
 The Clifdon Nonpareil Moth, 
 
 The Dartford Emerald Moth, 
 
 Tho Proserpina Moth, 
 
 Tho Broom Moth, 
 
 The Brown Tail Moth, 
 
 Common Silver-Lino Moth, 
 
 Tho Gray Scolloped Bar Moth, 
 
 Tho Great Eggor Moth, 
 
 Tho Golden Yellow Moth, 
 
 Tho Peppered Moth, 
 
 Tho Micilia Moth, 
 
Page 
 
 The Emperor Moth, . • ■ M 
 
 The Puss Moth, ... 98 
 
 The Pohhle Prominent Moth, . . ,100 
 
 The Lincea Moth, . ' . . 102 
 
 The Sprinkling Moth, . . .103 
 
 Th e Kuphcmia Moth, . . . 104 
 
 The Mcdimla Moth, . . . lO.i 
 
 The Butterfly Moth, . . . 106 
 
 The Soldier Moth, . . .107 
 
 The Meon Moth, . . . 108 
 
 The Lcctrix Moth, . . .109 
 
 The White Spotted Moth, . . 110 
 
 The Brisk Moth, . . -Ill 
 
 The Tussch Silkworm Moth, . . 112 
 
 The Anindy Silkworm Moth, . . 127 
 
 Chinese Mode ok Rearing Silkworms, . 136 
 
 Indian Method of Treatment, . . 144 
 
 Diseases of Silkworms, . . H.5 
 
 On the Chemical Properties of Silk, . . ISO 
 
 Electrical Properties of Silk, . . IS? 
 
 Miscellaneous Facts, . . .171 
 
 Migrations of Papilionaceous Insects, . 175 
 
 Organs of Hearing, . . .180 
 Method of Collecting Butterflies, Sphinges, and Moths, 1 92 
 
 Of Sotting Lepidoptera, . . 197 
 
 On Preserving Eggs of Lepidoptera, . . 201 
 
I.\ 
 
 Pago 
 
 Of Larva- or Caterpillars, . . " 201 
 
 OfPupm, . . . 202 
 
 The Insect Cabinet, . . . 203 
 
 Remarks on the Preservation of Lepidoptcrous Insects, 205 
 
 Mothoil of Transporting Insects, . . 208 
 
 Instruments used in Collecting, Setting, and Preserving 
 
 Butterflies, Sphinges, and Moths, . . 211 
 
 The Entomological Net, . , j D 
 
 The Folding Net, . . 212 
 
 The Hoop Net, . . . , 213 
 
 Maclean's Elastic Net, • . . 214 
 
 Entomological Forceps, . . , olo 
 
 Pocket Collecting Box, . 216 
 
 Collecting Phial, . 517 
 
 Pocket Larva; Box, . , 1 
 
 Brass Pliars, . . , o , „ 
 
 A IM B8 W > • ib. 
 
 Setting Needle, ... 010 
 
 ib. 
 
 Pine, 
 
 Setting Boards, • ... 220 
 
 Braces, . 
 
 Store Boxes, ., 
 
 ib. 
 
 The Breeding Cage, •, 
 
A MORAL 
 
 CAPTAIN BROWN'S BOOK OP BUTTERFLIE! 
 
 CHARLES DOYNE SILLERY, ESQ. 
 
 AUTHOIl OF " VALLERY," &C. 
 
 
 Minions of Nature I — Creatures of the skies ! 
 Ye bright-wing'd fluttcrcrs ! sunborn butterflies ! 
 From flower to flower o'er nectar'd fields ye go, 
 Peerless in beauty ! atoms of the bow ! 
 
 Ye living gems I yo fairy-formed thing. ! 
 Floating in bliss, on gold-bespangled wings ' 
 Oh ! how enraptured would this spirit be, 
 Freely to soar through ambient heavens, as \ e ! 
 
 Where is the silken shroud ? tho grov'ling worm : j 
 Where now the veil which once enshrined each form : 
 Where the cold, lifeless chrysalis of clay ? 
 In gold ! in glory ! in the blaze of day ! 
 VOL. II r. „ 
 
A MORAL. 
 
 I pause and ponder here Like you, mankind 
 
 Arc born, frail insect ! ignorant and blind ; 
 
 Man's mind Ms beart, in dust and darkness furl'd, 
 
 Ilis bright soul's clouded by a wintry world. 
 
 But when this dream of life hath pass'd away — 
 When this pure spirit bursts her bonds of clay ; 
 Ah ! then what hope to trembling man is given — 
 Tho bless'd shall mingle with the blaze of heaven ! 
 
BOOK OF BUTTERFLIES. 
 
 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF LEPIDOrTEROUS INSECTS. 
 
 According to the classification of the celebrated 
 Latreille, the Papilionaceous, or Lepidopterous in- 
 sects are comprehended in his Ninth Order, under 
 the title of Lepidoptera. 
 
 ORDER LEPIDOPTERA, Linnseus. 
 
 Lepidopterous insects have four membranaceous 
 wings, covered with a farina, composed of small 
 scales, and are provided with a trunk rolled up in 
 a spiral form at the mouth. 
 
 Tribe I.— DIURNA. 
 
 Wings always free in repose, placed perpendicular 
 to the plane of position, and destitute of a bridle 
 or scaly bristle at the base of the lower wings ; 
 the antenna; in many of the species terminated 
 
]2 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 in a small club or button, move or less conical 
 
 or triangular ; in others, slender and hooked at 
 
 tip. 
 
 The insects of this trihe fly an.d feed by day. The cater- 
 pillars have sixteen feet, and live- on vegetables. The pups 
 are generally naked, or destitute of a cocoon, fixed to substances 
 by the posterior extremity of the body, and in many by a silky 
 fillet, forming a kind of half ring at the upper part of the body. 
 
 Family I. — Papilionides. 
 With four wings, elevated perpendicularly in a state 
 of repose ; the antennae having a club-shaped 
 termination, or almost filiform, without hooks at 
 the tip, with the exception of one genus, i n 
 which they are setaceous and plumose in one of 
 the sexes ; the legs are provided with one pair of 
 spurs or spines. 
 
 Subdivision I. Third joint "of the labial palpi very small and 
 hardly perceptible, or very apparent, and furnished with 
 scales; books at tho end of the tarsi projecting ; caterpillar 
 elongated, suhcylindrical ; chrysalis of au angular shape. 
 
 Subdivision 1 1. Six feet, formed for walking, or nearly similar 
 in both sexes; chrysalis fixed by a silky band by its pos- 
 tal ior extremity, or inclosed in a thick cocoon ; central areola 
 of the lower wings posteriorly closed. 
 1. Heaapodu. 
 
 A. internal margin of tho lower wings concave. 
 
 The genera are Papilio, Pabnassius, and Thais. 
 
 B. Internal margin of the lower wings arched, and projei 
 over the abdomen to form a canal. 
 
 The genera arc Colias and Piebis. 
 
LEPIDOI'TKROUS INSECTS. 13 
 
 I. The two anterior feet shorter than the others, folded, not 
 ambulatory, in both sexes, or in the males only ; chrysolil 
 fixed by its posterior extremity, and suspended with the head 
 downwards; central areola of the lower wings (.pen poste- 
 riorly in many species. 
 
 A. The central areola of the lower wings is always posteriorly 
 closed ; the two anterior feet, although small and folded, very 
 similar to the others ; the lower wings in general scarcely 
 embracing the abdomen below ; labial palpi slightly elevated 
 above the hood, much separated, slender, cylindrical. 
 
 The genera arc Danaus, Idea, Heliconius, and Ackea. 
 
 IS. Central areola of the lower wings open in many species ; 
 two anterior feet often minute and concealed, or apparent 
 and very hairy; lower wings embracing the abdomen below; 
 labial palpi rising above the hood, slender and cylindrical, 
 and not distant. 
 
 a. Contral areola of the lower wings open posteriorly. 
 
 * The labial palpi arc cither separated through their whole 
 length, or merely at their extremity, and abruptly terminated 
 by a slender and a circular joint. 
 
 2. Perlata. 
 The genera arc Cetiiosia and Arcynnis. 
 ** The inferior palpi are contiguous through all their extent, 
 and not terminated abruptly by a slender and acicular joint. 
 ■(• Tho antenna; are terminated in a small club, in the form of 
 a button, short, turbinated, or ovoid ; caterpillar thickly 
 bosct with spines. 
 
 Contains one gcmis, Vanessa. 
 ■ff Antenna; terminated in an elongated club, or nearly fili- 
 form ; caterpillar naked or slightly spinous, with the poste- 
 rior extremity terminated in a bifid point. 
 
 The genera are Libythea, Biblis, Nympiialis, and 
 Motipuo. 
 
I I MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 b. The central areola of the lower wings posteriorly closed. 
 
 The genera arc Pavonia, Bhassolus, Euribius, and 
 Satyrus. 
 
 In the Dutch work, De JVonderen Gods, we have 
 the following interesting information concerning the 
 transformations of the Alderman Butterfly, Am- 
 miralis Atalanta of Rennie, by J. C. Sepp of Am- 
 sterdam : — 
 
 " Like all other butterflies, this species originates 
 from an egg, which, however, is very rarely met 
 with, because it is very small and green ; almost 
 indeed of the same colour as the stinging nettle, 
 ( Urtica dioica,) on which it is laid by the mother 
 butterfly, and therefore easily overlooked. 
 
 " Although I had found, for many years succes- 
 sively, and in considerable numbers, the caterpillars 
 and the butterflies of this species, I was long un- 
 successful in procuring any of the eggs ; but at last 
 I succeeded, having found one on the 6th of July, 
 at the very moment the mother butterfly had laid it, 
 and it hatched as well as any other of this class. 
 I found others afterwards, which had perhaps been 
 longer deposited, and they likewise hatched, and I 
 reared butterflies from them ; so that now I know 
 their whole manner of life, and their several trans- 
 formations, and am enabled to detail these to the 
 reader from my own observation. 
 
 " As soon as the infant caterpillar is hatched, 
 it begins to cat directly, and to look out for a place 
 
LEPIDOI'TEHOUS INSECTS. 15 
 
 to live in. Providence has given it the faculty of 
 spinning certain threads ; and, after selecting a leaf, 
 it draws it together, by means of these, into a 
 roundish hollow form, leaving for the most part an 
 opening into the interior before and behind. The 
 leaf, when thus drawn together, serves as a house 
 or tent for the little creature, and at the same time 
 furnishes it with food; and hence the longer it 
 lives in it the more perforated it becomes. When 
 at length it has gnawed so much of the leaf as 
 renders it so full of holes that it becomes useless, the 
 caterpillar quits it, and goes to another leaf, pro- 
 ceeding in the same way as it did with the first. 
 Accordingly, when we are desirous of finding these 
 caterpillars, wo must search for them on those 
 nettle leaves which are drawn together. I may 
 mention, however, that not more than one cater- 
 pillar will be found on a single leaf. 
 
 " The circumstance of hiding within a folded leaf, 
 is not usual with every spiny caterpillar ; and it 
 appears to me, that this species does so, more from 
 a peculiar liking to live solitary than from any fear 
 of danger, inasmuch as they are exposed to no more 
 danger or hardship than other spiny caterpillars, 
 which roam about freely and openly on the leaves. 
 This species, besides, is quite as hardy as the others, 
 with respect to enduring cold and heat ; and they 
 are as much persecuted by parasite flies, {Ichneu- 
 rnoniclce,) which lay eggs in their bodies, as are 
 
10 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 other spiny caterpillars ; nor is their dwelling in 
 the folded leaf so securely constructed, as to prevent 
 the intrusion of such unwelcome visiters, a circum- 
 stance always attended with a, mortal result." 
 
 Professor Rennie mentions a similar circumstance. 
 He says, " We happened to see a remarkable in- 
 stance of this last summer, (1828,) in the case of 
 "lie of the Lilac caterpillars, which had changed 
 into a chrysalis within the closely folded leaf. A 
 small ichneumon, aware, it should seem, of the 
 very spot where the chrysalis lay within the leaf, 
 was seen boring through it with her ovipositor, and 
 introducing her eggs, through the punctures thus 
 made, into the body of the dormant insect. We 
 allowed her to lay all her eggs, about six in num- 
 ber, and then put the leaf under an inverted glass. 
 In a few days the eggs of the Cuckoo Ply were 
 hatched, the grubs devoured the lilac chrysalis, and 
 finally changed into pupee, in a case of yellow silk, 
 and into perfect insects like their parent." * 
 
 " There must then," continues M. Sepp, " I 
 think, be some other reason for these caterpillars 
 hiding themselves in this manner, and I am in- 
 clined to believe it can be no other than their de- 
 sire to be solitary. In accordance with this view, 
 we find the eggs always laid singly and apart ; 
 and it is well known to naturalists, that all cater- 
 
 * Insect Architecture, p. 174. 
 
LEriDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 17 
 
 pillars originating from eggs thus deposited are 
 solitary, as those originating from clustered eggs 
 are gregarious. The latter moreover remain in 
 company so long as they are in the caterpillar state, 
 while the former always occur dispersed, and lead a 
 solitary life. In this manner, then, the caterpillars 
 under notice live from the time they are hatched, 
 and even exhibit the same disposition when they 
 prepare for their change into the chrysalis state, as 
 we shall afterwards see. 
 
 " As to their manner of growth, such caterpillars 
 differ widely from other animals which grow re- 
 gularly in all their parts as they are supplied with 
 nourishment ; but our caterpillars, on the contrary, 
 grow only in their inward parts, whose increase 
 puffs out the skin or outer covering that does not 
 grow, and hence becomes too small, so that at 
 length it must give way. In fact, it actually does 
 so, and this happens more than once during its life ; 
 a circumstance which I term the casting of the skin, 
 and which is thus performed : A few days before 
 the skin is cast, the caterpillar remains nearly sta- 
 tionary in the same place, and leaves off eating. 
 About this period, the neck or hind part of the 
 head may be observed to swell, in consequence of 
 which the old skin becomes more stretched, the 
 inner skin is separated from the outer, and in some 
 smooth caterpillars the head may be decerned shi- 
 ning through. The old skin becomes gradually 
 
18 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 detached, and at length bursts asunder ; the head 
 with its new skin appearing through the opening, 
 and successively the fore parts of the body, and the 
 feet. Afterwards, by repeated movements, the 
 caterpillar strips off the old skin altogether, and 
 appears in a new dress, which, as far as regards the 
 one under our notice, differs little from the old one 
 in colour and appearance. The head, however, is a 
 little larger, as are the spines and small hairs. 
 
 " With respect to the latter, it is remarkable 
 that the new spines and hairs appear to have been 
 inserted in the old ones as in sheaths, from which 
 they are drawn out when the skin is cast. I infer 
 from this circumstance, that these spines and hairs 
 are hollow, though in consequence of their minute- 
 ness, some of them being barely visible to the naked 
 eye, we cannot well demonstrate this otherwise. 
 Who, I may ask, does not perceive in this wonder- 
 ful fact, the incomprehensible operations of an all- 
 powerful Creator ! and where is the man who 
 could imitate these astonishing productions ? 
 
 " Our caterpillar, after casting its skin and rest- 
 ing a little, begins again to eat the leaves of the 
 nettle. I may mention, that all caterpillars do 
 not cast their skins the same number of times ; but 
 with respect to the present ones, they cast their 
 skins four times, and as they grow quickly, the 
 castings closely follow each other, at due intervals 
 between. I have traced this in two of these cater- 
 
LEPIDOrTEROUS INSECTS. 1<) 
 
 pillars, which were hatched from eggs the 12th of 
 July,in the following order. Their first castingof the 
 skins occurred on the 14th, the second on the 17th, 
 the third on the 21st, and the fourth on the 26th. 
 They then continued to eat and grow till the 15th 
 of August, when, having completed their growth, 
 and reached their full age as caterpillars, they left 
 off eating, and prepared for entering upon their 
 second stage of life, namely, that of chrysalis, which 
 has no resemblance to the caterpillar. This change 
 took place on the 17th of August. 
 
 " It hence appears, that the first stage of life, or 
 the caterpillar state of this insect, only lasts for five 
 complete weeks ; but I must remark, that in rear- 
 ing the caterpillars for the purpose of observing their 
 changes, they must have fresh food every day, and 
 in a warm day twice, otherwise they will not 
 thrive. 
 
 " The cover of the box where they are kept, 
 ought to have small holes in it for the admission of 
 fresh air ; or it may be covered with crape or gauze. 
 It ought not to be shallow ; for if so, the wings of 
 the butterfly, when it comes forth, may be bent or 
 injured. 
 
 " We have thus seen our insect in its first stages 
 of life ; but it is destined to arrive at a higher stage 
 of existence, and is born to be admired, though it 
 does not reach this stage till it has undergone sick- 
 ness and suffering, with hardly any apparent sign 
 
20 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 of life. In a short time, however, it awakes from 
 its trance, and appears full of animation, and is 
 richly ornamented." * 
 
 II. Having the third or last joint of the lahial palpi very dis- 
 tinct, naked, or less furnished with scales or hairs than the 
 preceding ; hooks of the tarsi scarcely visihlc ; caterpillar 
 oval ; chrysalis destitute of eminences or angular projections. 
 
 3. Argus. 
 
 1. The antenna; arc terminated by an inflation, and arc beard- 
 less. 
 
 The genera arc Myiune, Polyommatus, and Ehycina. 
 The Myrincs arc remarkable for the length and projection of 
 the labial palpi. The Polyommati with the antennae termina- 
 ting in a cyliudrico-oval and elongated club, form the genus 
 Thecla of Fabricius. 
 
 '2. With the antenna) either setaceous or plumose, or monili- 
 form at tho termination. 
 
 The genera arc IIiiiuciihis and Zephyrius. 
 
 Genus Papilio, Latreille. 
 Chrysalis naked, angular, fixed by the tail and by 
 a silky band disposed transversely, and termi- 
 nating on each side on the plane of position ; 
 perfect insect with six feet formed for walking in 
 both sexes. 
 This genus is subdivided as follows : — 
 
 * Lower wings prolonged into a tail. 
 ** Lower wings not prolonged. 
 
 * The Field Naturalist's Magazine, vol. i. p. 8. 
 
LEPIDOl'TEROUS INSECTS. 21 
 
 Genus Vanessa, Latreillc. 
 Antennae terminated by an abrupt short club ; 
 palpi contiguous, even at the extremity, the two 
 combined, resembling a rostrum ; anterior pair 
 of feet in both sexes, short and very hairy ; the 
 two posterior pairs of tarsi, with double nails. 
 
 Genus Polyommatus, Latreille. 
 Palpi longer than the head, and nearly parallel, 
 having three joints clothed with scales above, the 
 first of which is short and curved, the second 
 long, the third as long as the first, and destitute 
 of hairs ; the antennae arc rather short, and pro- 
 vided with more than thirty joints, with an 
 abrupt flattish clubbed tip, ending in a point 
 placed edgeways : these in some species are 
 downy, and not so in others ; legs alike in both 
 sexes ; feet provided with very short cushions ; 
 beyond which are minute undivided claws ; the 
 wings are entire, the upper ones triangular, and 
 somewhat wedge-shaped ; under wings ovo-tri- 
 angular, and hardly indented at the posterior 
 angle. 
 
 Family II. — Hesperides. 
 
 The posterior legs are provided with two pairs of 
 spurs ; the lower wings are nearly horizontal 
 while in repose; the antenna;, in some species, 
 
22 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 are terminated by a club or button, hooked at 
 the end ; in others they are filiform, with the ex- 
 tremity slender, bent, and pointed. 
 
 Tlio genera arc IIesperia and Urania. 
 The Ilespcridcs differ in their metamorphosis from that of the 
 Papilionidcs. The caterpillars resemble those of many noctur- 
 nal Lcpidoptcra. They are almost naked, tapering at the two 
 extremities, or fusiform, with a globular head. They arc found 
 between leaves, which they fix together with their silky fila- 
 ments. Tho pupa' also resemble those of the nocturnal Lepi- 
 doptcra. They have no eminences or angular projections, and 
 arc inclosed in a slight web, and frequently on leaves. 
 
 Genus Hesperia, Latreille. 
 Antenna? terminated in a club ; inferior palpi short, 
 consisting of three joints, broad, and provided 
 with scales anteriorly ; body short and thick ; 
 wings triangular, thick, generally horizontal in 
 repose ; abdomen short, nearly conical ; feet 
 strong, and the posterior legs with two spines 
 more than the others ; tarsi terminated by two 
 small, simple, and arched hooks. 
 This genus is subdivided as follows : — 
 * Inferior icings prolonged into a tail. 
 ** Inferior icings not prolonged. 
 
 Tribe II.— CREPUSCULARIA. 
 
 The exterior border of the lower wings generally 
 provided with a strong, pointed, stiff, horny bristle 
 near its origin, which enters into a groove below 
 
LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 23 
 
 the upper ones, and retains the four in a hori- 
 zontal situation during repose ; the antenna? are 
 in the form of an elongated club, those of many 
 males, and sometimes both sexes, pectinated or 
 serrated ; caterpillars being always provided with 
 sixteen feet. 
 
 Family I. — Hesperi-Sphinges, Latreille. 
 The antennee are always simple, with a claviform 
 termination, the extremity being hooked, and 
 without a tuft of scales. 
 
 The genera arc Cokonis, Castnia, and Agaristus. 
 
 Genus Castnia, Latreille. 
 Antenna? with a terminal elongated club ; palpi 
 subcylindrical, adpressed, not contiguous, fur- 
 nished with short scales, and distinctly three 
 jointed. 
 
 Family II. — Sphingides, Latreille. 
 The antennse are always terminated by a small 
 scaly tuft in a prismatic club, commencing near 
 the middle of their length ; lower palpi broad, 
 thickly covered with scales; the third joint 
 smaller, and generally indistinct. 
 
 The genera arc Smerinthus, Aciieronthia, Sphinx, 
 and Macroglossum. 
 
24 MODEHN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 Genus Sphinx, Latreille. 
 
 The lower palpi having but two apparent joints, 
 the third being minute; contiguous, and scaly ; 
 the club of the antennre commencing near the 
 centre, simple, or with three transverse striee, 
 bearded, and never strongly serrated ; the tongue 
 very distinct, and corneous ; the body short and 
 thick; the eyes are large; the wings nearly 
 horizontal, forming a triangle with the body ; the 
 abdomen conical ; the feet thick, with two simple 
 hooks at the end of the tarsi. 
 
 The insects of this genus tire decorated with lively ami 
 agreeable colours. They congregate and fly lightly, about 
 sunset, flitting from flower to flower, sucking melliferous liquids 
 with their long proboscis. The caterpillars have sixteen feet, 
 their skin is smooth or gan.ula.ted, and without hairs. Almost 
 all of them have a kind of bent horn on the eleventh ring, the 
 use of which is not known. Among the caterpillars, that 
 which is found on the lilac and ligustrum is remarkable for the 
 singularity of its attitude. It is generally fixed to a branch by 
 its membranous feet, with the body elevated perpendicularly 
 and the head inclined, in which position it remains for hours. 
 In this attitudo it is conceived to resemble the figures of the 
 fabulous sphinx, hence the name of the genus. 
 
 Family III. — Zyg;enides, Latreille. 
 The antennee of the greater number are destitute of 
 tufted scales at the extremity, fusiform, or some- 
 times like a ram's horn; the labial palpi are 
 
LEP1D0PTER0US INSECTS. iit> 
 
 slender, compressed, cylindrical or conical, with 
 the third joint very distinct. 
 
 The caterpillars in this family have all sixteen feet, and are 
 destitute of a horn at the posterior extremity of the body. 
 Some inhabit the interior of vegetables ; others are naked and 
 hairy. 
 
 I. Antenna; simple in both sexes. 
 
 The genera arc Sesia, /Ggoceiia, Thyius, Zygjena, and 
 Syntomis. 
 
 II. Antenna; bipectinatcd in the males, simple in the females. 
 
 The genera are Pnocnis and Atychia. 
 
 III. Antenna 1 bipectinatcd in both sexes. 
 
 Tho genera arc Glaucopis, Aglaofk, and Stygia. 
 
 Genus Zyg^na, Fabricius. 
 The antennre are simple in both sexes, terminating 
 abruptly in a convoluted club, at least in one of 
 the sexes, and destitute of a tuft at the extremi- 
 ty ; the lower palpi are cylindrico-conical, rising 
 above the hood ; abdomen nearly cylindrical and 
 obtuse ; wings sloped ; spines at the extremity of 
 the legs very small. 
 
 The insects of this genus fly seldom, and that to very short 
 distances, and are inactive in their habits ; usually found on tho 
 plants where the female deposits her ova. Both sexes live in 
 the perfect state only for the time necessary for reproduction. 
 The caterpillars have sixteen feet. They are smooth, slightly 
 hairy, and have not, like (hose of the Sphinges, a horny appen- 
 dage on the last segment. Before changing into pupe they in- 
 close themselves in a solid cocoon, which they form along a 
 branch or leaf, and the perfect insect is produced in a short time 
 after. 
 
 VOL. III. C 
 
2fi MODERN ARRANGEMENT OP 
 
 Tribe III.— NOCTURNA. 
 
 All the wings are horizontal or inclined in repose ; 
 the antennce are setaceous. 
 
 With the exception of a small number, the lower wings in 
 this tribe arc furnished with a bridle, formed by a strong and 
 sharp horny bristle, or a bundle of seta; adapted to a groove in 
 the upper wings, and keeping them horizontal when at rest. 
 The chrysalis is almost always inclosed in a cocoon rounded 
 before, or without angles. The number of membranaceous feet 
 varies in the caterpillar. 
 
 Family I. — Bombycites, Latreille. 
 
 The antenna? are pectinated or serrated, at least 
 in the males ; the trunk spiral and very short, 
 or almost none ; body generally woolly and 
 thick in the females ; wings often extended, and 
 when they are inclined, the lower ones margin 
 the other two, or are turned up ; caterpillars pro- 
 vided with sixteen feet. 
 
 I. Wings broad, either extended or inclined like a roof, the 
 lower ones in this case bordering the upper ; caterpillars liv- 
 ing exposed, on leaves. 
 
 The genera arc Attacus, Lasiocampus, and Bombyx. 
 
 II. Wings oblong, narrow, always inclined, the lower ones en- 
 tirely covered ; caterpillars living in the interior of vegetables, 
 or concealed in the earth and gnawing their roots. 
 
 This section has but one genus, Hepialus. 
 
 Genus Bombyx, Fabricius. 
 The wings are entire, horizontally extended or in- 
 
LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. in- 
 
 clined, forming a triangle with the body; the 
 superior palpi are concealed, the lower ones very 
 small, in the form of tubercles, cylindrical or 
 conical, and tapering towards their point ; they 
 have either no tongue, or it is very indistinct ; 
 the antennae are pectinated, at least in the males ; 
 abdomen very large in the females ; caterpillar 
 with fourteen or sixteen feet; in those with 
 fourteen feet, they have a forked tail in place of 
 the last two. 
 
 Linnasus included this germs among- his Phakrna, nnd formed 
 one of its divisions. The body of the liombiccs is, however, 
 always thicker than the Phalamae, and they live in the perfect 
 state for a much shorter time than the other nocturnal lepidop- 
 terous insects. Incapable of imbibing nourishment in this state, 
 being destitute of a tongue and trunk, the winged insect exists 
 only for the purpose of reproduction. 
 
 Family II. — Noctuo-Bombycites. 
 
 I. The caterpillars aro always smooth, witli sixteen feet, inha- 
 biting tho interior of different vegetables, generally ligneous 
 ones. Tho margins of the segments of the abdomen of the 
 chrysalis are either dentated or spinous ; the trunk is spiral 
 in the perfect inseot, always very short, or almost none; 
 antenna- of some males furnished interiorly with a double 
 row of beards ; those of the females, and of both sexes in 
 others, having a series of short rounded teeth in all their 
 length. 
 
 The genera aro Cossus and Zeuzeiia. 
 
 II. The caterpillars always living exposed naked, and smooth, 
 with fourteen feet, the anal ones wanting; posterior extre- 
 mity of tho body pointed, forked, or entire and truncated ; 
 
28 MODERN AltUANGEMENT OF 
 
 antenna of the males always pectinated, ami terminated by 
 a simple filament. 
 
 1 . Spiral trunk very short and indistinct. 
 
 It has but one genus, Cerura. 
 
 2, Spiral trunk distinct, perceptibly prolonged when unrolled 
 beyond the palpi. 
 
 The genera arc Dicranoura and Platypteryx. 
 
 III. The caterpillars always living exposed, and with sixteen 
 feet, the anal ones never wanting. 
 
 1. Having almost no spiral trunk, or very short, concealed be- 
 tween the palpi, and useless in manducation. 
 
 A. Caterpillars never forming a portablo tube of vegetable mat- 
 ters. 
 
 a. Caterpillars elongated ; upper part of the skin of the segments 
 not forming a vaulted arch over the body. 
 
 * All the individuals with wings proper for flight. 
 
 The genera arc Notodontes and Sericaria. 
 *• Females apterous, or without wings. 
 
 It has but one genus, Orgya. 
 
 b. Caterpillars oval ; upper part of the skin beginning at the 
 second ring, forming a solid arrh, under which the head and 
 the first segment may be retracted ; feet scaly, retractile, the 
 membranous ones exuding a viscid fluid. 
 
 It has but one genus, Limacodes. 
 I',. Caterpillars inclosed in portable tubes, which they form with 
 fragments of vegetables, and hind together witli their silk. 
 
 2. Spiral trunk very apparent, projecting beyond the palpi, ami 
 proper for suction. 
 
 The genera are Chelonia and CaLLIMORPHA. 
 
 Genus Cossus, Latreille. 
 Having no tongue ; exterior palpi cylindrical, rather 
 
LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 
 
 2<) 
 
 thick, covered with scales ; antennae setaceous, 
 as long as the head and trunk, with a series of 
 short transverse and obtuse dentations along the 
 interior side ; wings inclined. 
 
 The caterpillars of this genus are very prejudicial to trees, 
 gnawing the roots, and even their substance. Preparatory to 
 undergoing their change into the chrysalis state, they construct 
 a cocoon with earth, or the fragments of the substances which 
 they gnaw. These we have more particularly described at 
 page 107, vol. ii., and given a representation of a nest of the 
 Earth Mason Caterpillar, the Water Bctony Moth.* 
 
 Some of the caterpillars of this family present remarkable 
 forms, as that of the Puss Moth, Cerura Vinula, and another 
 called the Lobster by collectors, which is the larva of the 
 Stauropus Fagi of Gcrmar. This curious species is some- 
 times, although rarely, found in Britain. This larva, unlike 
 almost all the rest of its tribe, has very long legs, and assumes 
 an attitude somewhat like that of the larva of the Puss Moth, 
 with its tail cocked up, and its head and feet erected in the 
 manner of a person praying. The following is a representa- 
 tion of this remarkable larva ; 
 
 ► Vol. 11. page 101. First Edition, 
 
30 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 Tins singular creature is of a rich orange colour ; and has 
 frequently caused great alarms amongst the ignorant and super- 
 stitious, from the praying attitude which it assumes. 
 
 Family III. — Tineites, Latreille. 
 The caterpillars are provided with sixteen feet, or 
 sometimes more, living for the most part in fixed 
 or portable tubes, formed of the substances they 
 gnaw agglutinated together ; but some are with- 
 out this covering ; upper wings narrow and long, 
 the lower broad and plicated, sometimes resting 
 horizontally on the body, or hanging nearly ver- 
 tically on the sides, and raised upwards behind ; 
 body cylindrical, or narrow and elongated ; the 
 labial palpi in some species short, almost cylin- 
 drical, in others thrown backwards in the form 
 of horns ; the antenna; arc generally simple. 
 The insects of this family arc very small, hut often ornamented 
 with brilliant colours. The margins of their wings arc fringed. 
 The caterpillars have generally sixteen feet, and they live 
 under cover, some in tubes, which they fabricate, and others, 
 which have in consequence received the name of miners, in 
 galleries formed in the interior of leaves. The species which 
 destroy woollen chillis, furs, &c. inhabit portable tubes. Tho 
 miners furrow the parenchyma of leaves, and are sometimes 
 very destructive to fruits and seeds. 
 I. Antennas and eyes serrated. 
 1. A distinct and elongated spiral trunk. 
 A. Wings resting horizontally on the body, or forming a rounded 
 slope ; labial palpi not longer than the head. 
 The genera arc Lithosia, Yponomeuta. 
 
LF.l'IDOrTEROUS INSECTS. 31 
 
 B. Wings pendant ; labial palpi much longer than the head, and 
 thrown backwards above the thorax. 
 
 It has but one genus, CEcophora. 
 2. Tongue vory short, or almost none ; a tuft of scales or hairs 
 
 on the head. 
 A. Labial palpi large, projecting. 
 
 The genera arc Euplocampus, Phycis. 
 11. Labial palpi small, not projecting. 
 
 It consists but of one genus, Tinea. 
 II. Antenna; (very long) and eyes almost contiguous. 
 
 Is has but one genus, Adela. 
 
 Genus Tinea, Latreille. 
 The antenna; are setaceous, simple or ciliated, dis- 
 tant ; wings linear, rolled around the body ; 
 proboscis very short, or none ; having two short 
 hairy cylindrical palpi ; a tuft of scales on the 
 front. 
 
 The insects of this genus and its congeners arc very destruc- 
 tive- to woollen cloths and furs. Inclosed in a tube, composed 
 of the materials in which they arc found, the caterpillars per- 
 forate, cat, and digest those substances. At the commencement 
 of spring they change into pupto, and remain in this form about 
 twenty days. After coupling, the female deposits her ova in 
 the substances upon which the young arc afterwards to feed, 
 and the caterpillars are batched in fifteen days after. Many 
 means have been proposed to prevent the ravages of these 
 small insects ; but the most effectual is oil of turpentine. A 
 piece of cloth or paper saturated with this oil, and placed in 
 the trunks, closets, or wardrobes, to bo protected from theil 
 depredations, soon kills them. A solution of corrosive subli- 
 mate and spirit of wine is also found to be an effectual proven 
 
32 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 tivc against the depredations of moths. Spirit of wine or tobacco 
 smoke are equally effectual ; but the one soon evaporates, and 
 the application of the other is difficult. 
 
 Family IV. — N'octujemtes. 
 
 The species are always nocturnal, with the wings 
 entire, horizontally extended or sloping, and 
 forming a triangle with the body ; tarsi and labial 
 palpi bent, compressed, furnished with scales, 
 and terminated abruptly by a joint shorter and 
 more slender than the preceding. 
 
 The caterpillars of this tribe are always naked, and never want 
 the anal feet. The general number of their feet is sixteen, but 
 some have only twelve. The perfect insect has always a spiral 
 proboscis, and triangular wings proper for flight, in some sepa- 
 rated, in others lying upon one another, or sloping. In a great 
 number the hairs or scales above the thorax, and often on the 
 abdomen, form a kind of crests or dentations. The males of 
 many species have pectinated antenna). 
 I. Caterpillars with sixteen feet. 
 
 1. Labial palpi of medium size. 
 
 The genera arc Erebus and Noctua. 
 
 2. Labial palpi large. 
 
 The genera are Calyptra and Gonopterus. 
 II. Caterpillars with twelve feet. 
 
 1. Labial palpi large. 
 
 It has but one genus, Chrysopterus. 
 
 2. Labial palpi of medium Bize. 
 
 It has hut one genus, Plusia. 
 
LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 33 
 
 Genus Noctua, Fabricius. 
 
 The antenna? are setaceous, generally simple ; 
 tongue long, horny, rolled up in a spiral form ; 
 upper palpi very small, concealed, the two under 
 ones bent, with the second joint very large, com- 
 pressed, and furnished with scales, and the last 
 very small ; body covered with small scales, the 
 abdomen conical ; thorax frequently tufted; wings 
 sloping in the greater number. 
 
 The insects of this genus, like all the other Lcpidoptcra, 
 have their wings coveved with a scaly dust, which is removed hy 
 the slightest touch ; the lower wings arc plicated longitudinally 
 on their internal side. Thoy are commonly found in woods, gar- 
 dens, ami meadows, about the plants where the females deposit 
 their ova. They fly abroad generally ahout sunset, remaining 
 during the day concealed under leaves, on branches, or fixed 
 upon walls. They couple almost as soon as they change from 
 the pupa state. The male dicB after coupling, and the female 
 when she has insured tho continuance of the species by the 
 deposition of the ova. The species of this numerous gonus 
 arc found ou bushes and trees of various kinds. 
 
 Family V. — Toktrices, Latreille. 
 
 Caterpillars some with fourteen, but the greater 
 number with sixteen feet, the anal ones never 
 wanting ; labial palpi sometimes short and cylin- 
 drical, sometimes recurved above the head, 
 pointed, or in the form of horns. 
 
 The catorpillars in this family roll themselves up in leaves or 
 (lowers, or livo in tho interior of fruits. Tho wings of the in- 
 
34 MODERN ARRANUEMMENT OP 
 
 sect in repose are slightly sloped or horizontal, and form with 
 the body a broad and short triangle. 
 
 The genera arc Pyraus, Volucra, Xyiopoda, Pro- 
 ceras and IIerminia. 
 The caterpillar provided with fourteen feet. 
 
 Genus Pyralis, Latreille. 
 
 The antennte are setaceous ; the wings are short, 
 broad at their base, forming with the body a 
 truncated ellipse or triangle, of which the opposite 
 sides are arched near their junction. 
 
 Family VI. — Phaljenites, Latreille. 
 
 The caterpillars with ten or twelve feet, the anal 
 ones never wanting ; body naked, glabrous, 
 generally long or linear, the two extremities 
 approximated in walking, and the intermediate 
 portion curved upwards in an annular form ; 
 chrysalis slightly enveloped, or the cocoon with 
 but little silky matter ; body of the insect often 
 slender, with wings extended, or in a flattened 
 slope ; spiral trunk none, or minute ; many of 
 the males having pectinated antenna?. 
 
 I. Caterpillars with twelve feet. 
 
 It has but one genus, Metrocampus. 
 
 II. Caterpillars with ten feet. 
 
 1. Males and females with wings formed for flight, 
 
 It has but one genus, Phal^ena. 
 
 2. Females apterous or semi-apterous, and unable to fly. 
 
 It has hut one genus, Hyjjernia. 
 
LEPIDOPTEROCS INSECTS. 35 
 
 Genus Phal,ena, Latreille. 
 
 The antenna? are setaceous, short, simple, pecti- 
 nated or plumose in both sexes, or in the males 
 only ; tongue often small ; lower palpi almost 
 concealing the upper, nearly cylindrical or conical, 
 short, and covered with small scales ; wings large, 
 extended horizontally, or slightly sloped, and 
 the posterior border in many species angular or 
 dentated. 
 
 This genus comprehends nearly that division of the Linntean 
 genus Phalcena termed Geometra. Almost all the caterpillars 
 are smooth, with a slender elongated body, and on the backs of 
 many arc eminences or warts resembling the knots or buds of a 
 small branch. They live solitarily, and feed on vegetables. 
 Some cat only tho leaves of certain trees, while others feed in- 
 discriminately on many. They walk by approximating the feet of 
 both extremities, and raising the intermediate portion of their 
 body into a ring or arch. Their progression is accomplished by 
 measured projections of their anterior feet, the posterior ones 
 being brought closo up to the others at every step, the body 
 rising at same time into an arch. This mode of walking has 
 given rise to the application of the term Geometrw, or measurers 
 of land, by which the genus has been characterised. These ca- 
 terpillars aro farther remarkable for the manner in which many 
 of them attach themselves to the branches of trees, and which 
 proves them to be possessed of muscular strength in a great de- 
 groc. Some fix their posterior feet on a small branch with the 
 body placed vertically, and remain immovable in this position 
 for hours, and other's appear in attitudes which require the 
 exertion of still greater muscular power. When the leaf is 
 touched upon which one of these caterpillar's is placed, it drops 
 olf, but does not fall to the ground, having always a silkcu thread 
 
3b MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
 
 of extreme tenuity ; this it has tho power of lengthening at 
 will, by which it swings itself to tho ground, and ascends at 
 pleasure. The species destitute of posterior feet, suspend them- 
 selves by the extremity of the body like the caterpillars of some 
 butterflies. The time which the PhaltontB remain in the chry- 
 salis form, varies in different species. A great number become 
 perfect insects towards the end of summer. These all perish 
 after having secured the reproduction of their ova ; but those 
 which do not undergo their metamorphosis, till autumn, conti- 
 nue during winter in the pupa state, and assume the imago or 
 perfect condition in the following spring. 
 
 Family VII. — Crambites, Latreille. 
 
 I. Wings in a flattened slope, and forming a triangle with the 
 body. 
 
 The genera arc Botys, IIydrocampus, Aglossa, and 
 Ilithya. 
 
 II. Wings hanging almost vertically on each Bide of the body, 
 and ascending posteriorly, or rolled around it ; the upper ones 
 long, narrow, and the lower broad. 
 
 The genera arc Galleria, Crambus, and Alucita. 
 
 Genus Cramdus, Latreille. 
 
 Insects are provided with four palpi, the lower ones 
 large and projecting ; wings rolled around the 
 body in a cylindrical form ; antenna? setaceo.us. 
 
 Family VIII. — Pterophorites, Latreille. 
 
 Wings, or at least two of them, cleft, or digitate ; 
 body slender and elongated; feet long ; antenna? 
 simple ; spiral proboscis distinct ; wings some- 
 
LEPinoPTEnous insects. 37 
 
 times distant from the body, at others inclined 
 and close. Caterpillars with sixteen feet ; in 
 the greater number of species the chrysalis is 
 naked, coloured, and suspended by a thread ; in 
 the others it is inclosed in a transparent cocoon. 
 
 The genera nrc Pterophorus and Ouneooes. 
 
 Genus Pteuophorus, Latreille. 
 
 The antennre are setaceous, simple; wings divided; 
 palpi scarcely longer than the head, and covered 
 with scales ; body narrow and elongated ; wings 
 distant from the body, in the form of arms, and 
 the legs arc spinous. 
 
38 
 
 THE PARALECTA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Paralecta. 
 
 Paphia Paralecta, Horsjicld's DesoHpHve Catalogue of Lepi- 
 dopterous Insects in the Museum of the East India 
 Company, pi. 6. tig. 4. 
 
 The extent of the wings of this beautiful insect, 
 from the tip of the one to that of the other, is three 
 inches and a half; and its total length two inches 
 and three quarters. Its general colour on the up- 
 per surface is of a deep azure blue, which changes 
 to purple by the play of light. The upper wings 
 have a broad bright fulvous sesquialterous band, 
 with undulated margins ; the space between 
 which and the extreme tips of the wings is of a 
 deep brownish black ; the anterior margin, betwixt 
 the sesquialterous band and the body of the insect, 
 is slightly tinged with green ; the head and back 
 deep blue ; eyes and sides of the thorax, as well as 
 the abdomen and interior margins of the lower 
 wings, is of a burnt umber brown ; the upper pair 
 of wings are each provided with two white spots, 
 the one situated in the lower margin of the sesqui- 
 alterous band, and the other towards the tips of 
 the wings ; the lower wings have two fulvous 
 
THE PARALFKTA El'TTEHI 
 
 Papilio Paralekia Jj 
 
THE PARALECTA BUTTERFLY. 39 
 
 spots in each, placed towards the exterior margin, 
 immediately below the upper wings ; the abdomen, 
 just below the thorax, is furnished with longish 
 brown hairs. 
 
 The butterfly inhabits Java. 
 
m 
 
 THE IDALIA BUTTERFLY. 
 I'apilio Iilulia. 
 
 Papilio Idalia, h'abr. Sp. In. ii. p. 109 — Drury, Ins. i. pi. 
 13, figs. 1, 2, -6.— Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 1035. 
 
 The breadth of the Idalia Butterfly is four inches 
 and an eighth in extent ; the wings are of a deep 
 rusty brown in the centre, with variously-shaped 
 blotches of black, around which the whole are broadly 
 bordered with black, and spotted with equidistant 
 triangular white marks, with a row of these on the 
 posterior margin ; the lower wings are of an intense 
 bluish black, with large, pale, cream-coloured, 
 somewhat square-shaped spots ; the margins are 
 indented, and have a row of white crescent-shaped 
 spots near their edges ; a streak of brown extends 
 from the insertion of the wings to nearly their 
 centre ; the head, eyes, and thorax, are of a burnt 
 umber brown colour ; the abdomen deep Ant- 
 werp blue, and the sides provided with brown 
 downy hairs. The under surface of the wings 
 have silvery spots. 
 
 This butterfly is a native of many parts of North 
 America. 
 
THE IDAL1A BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio It/alia — North Ahuki 
 
THK YIDURA BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio Vidura. — Java. 
 
41 
 
 THE VIDURA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Vidura. 
 
 Amblypodia vidura, I/orsfield's Des. Cat. Lepidopterout 
 Insects, p. Ill, pi. 1, (ijr. (; 5 G;i. 
 
 " The wings in the male, bright azure blue above, 
 with a snowy refulgence, spread as a delicate white 
 powder over the surface, while the ground colour 
 assumes, in a different aspect, a pale sea green 
 cast j the superior wings are ornamented with a 
 delicate white, silky, brush-like appendage, re- 
 flected and closely applied td a blackish spot on the 
 middle of the disc ; the margins are black, gradu- 
 ally increasing in breadth to the tip, being sepa- 
 rated by a curved boundary from the azure ground ; 
 in the lower wings the posterior border is marked 
 with a black thread, extending to the anal appen- 
 dage, which bears besides a black lunule ; the 
 extreme fringe is gray ; the exterior margin is 
 provided with a hemispherical denudated silvery 
 spot, corresponding with a delicate brush of length- 
 ened hairs, in the under side of the upper wings ; 
 the interior border is covered with a delicate whitish 
 down, slightly fringed with gray ; underneath, the 
 wings arc grayish brown, with a very faint livid 
 VOL. III. ,, 
 
42 THE VIDURA BUTTERFLY. 
 
 lustre ; a Strongly marked broad snow white band 
 passes in a straight line through the middle of both 
 pairs to the anal region of the lower wings, where 
 it becomes narrower, and, after several minute 
 curves, stretches obliquely to the interior margin ; 
 between this and the hinder margin is a very deli- 
 cate blackish thread, composed of small linear frag- 
 ments, in close contact, arranged in a regular curve 
 across the fore wings, slightly interrupted and 
 curved in the hinder, forming in the anal region a 
 delicate edge along the medial white band; the 
 lower wings are besides marked, within the poste- 
 rior margin, with a row of oblong spots of the ground 
 colour, inclosed within a double series of white 
 luimlcs, and continued to the anal region by two 
 very large black ocellatc spots, the exterior one 
 being surmounted by a large oblong patch of a 
 bright orange tint, abruptly terminated at its con- 
 tact with the black striga, the interior one occupy- 
 ing the anal appendage, being covered internally 
 with a white arc sending off a short oblique line 
 along the inner margin ; the space between the 
 ocellated spots is gray, irregularly irrorated with 
 black, and marked in the middle by an indistinct 
 white lunule ; a brilliant white thread passes along 
 the entire anal region, exterior to which is a con- 
 tinued black marginal thread, and the whole ter- 
 minated by a grayish fringe. The body with a 
 varying bluish or sea green tint above, covered 
 
THE VIDURA BUTTERFLY. 43 
 
 with a yellowish down underneath ; the antennae 
 are brown, with a closely catenulated lateral white 
 line extending to the origin of the club, the tip of 
 which is ferruginous ; the tail black, with a white 
 tip and grayish fringe." 
 
 Inhabits India ; and is very rarely met with on 
 the Island of Java. 
 
44 
 
 THE THYBIA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Tlujria. 
 
 Pieria Thyiia, MM. Latreille and Geoffroy, Ency. Metlt. 
 
 Hist. Nat. is. i>. 147 Pontia Thyris, llorsjield, in 
 
 Zool. Joum. vol. v. p. 69, pi. 4, fig. 2. 
 
 The Thyiia butterfly is two inches in breadth, 
 and of an uniform rich orange coloured brown ; the 
 anterior margins towards the shoulders of the upper 
 wings tinged with yellow, and the interior margins 
 of the lower wings of the same colour, with their 
 posterior margins scalloped and edged with a border 
 of yellow, above which, is a scalloped border of 
 black ; the external sides of the upper wings have 
 a black border ; the body is yellowish brown. 
 
 Dr Horsfield says, " The mule, in our insect, is 
 distinguished by a more rich and saturated colour 
 above, by very prominent blackish nervures, and 
 by a very faint posterior border. In the female, 
 both wings have a distinct broad blackish posterior 
 border, and the anterior pair has, besides, a band 
 of the same colour, near the outer apical angle, 
 passing obliquely from the middle of the costa, to- 
 wards the margin, being succeeded by several in- 
 distinct arcs. The tint in the female is less brilliant ; 
 
TUP TMYRIA BUTTP«FLY 
 
 Fapilio Thyria.—JsvA 
 
THE THYRIA BUTTERFLY. 45 
 
 underneath, both pairs have a saturated sulphu- 
 reous orange colour, which assumes an obscure 
 vermilion tint, in the medial and basal areas of the 
 fore wings. In the female, the surface is variegated 
 by the transmission of the marks of the upper side, 
 and the grayish irrorations towards the margins. 
 The thorax, in both sexes, is clothed above with a 
 greenish, and underneath, with a yellowish down. 
 The body blackish above, and gray underneath. 
 
 The Thyria butterfly inhabits the Island of Java. 
 It is a rare insect. 
 
46 
 
 THE EBULE BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Ebule. 
 
 Popilio Ebulc, Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 1018 — Cramer's Desc. 
 des Pap. ii. pi. 120, fig. E. r Edwards, pi. 304. 
 
 The whole upper surface of this butterfly is of a 
 rich yellow colour, marked along the margin with 
 black specks, and beneath by a double ferruginous 
 silvery spot. 
 
 The caterpillar is of a rich gamboge yellow, 
 with a double row of green spots along the sides. 
 It feeds on the leaves of the dwarf cassia. 
 
 The pupa is of a fine rose colour, having two 
 streaks of green. 
 
 The Ebule butterfly is a native of Virginia and 
 Georgia. 
 
THE EBULF. BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio Ebule Georgia. 
 
THE ATV.MNUS BUTTERFLY. 
 
 PapittO A lym n us. — J a v a . 
 
47 
 
 THE ATYMNUS BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Atymnus. 
 
 Papilio P. R. Atymnus, Fab. Mant. Ins. torn. ii. p. 70, 
 
 No, 0"«-2 Myrina Atymnus, MM. Latre'Me and Geoff- 
 
 rni/, Ency. Meth. Hist. Nat. ix. p. 574. 
 
 The wings above, are fulvous in both sexes, 
 varying in intensity of tint in different individuals, 
 from high toned orange, to pale saffron yellow ; the 
 anterior, with the exterior borders, blackish brown, 
 the intermediate boundary being regular, and pass- 
 ing in an arch from the middle of the costa to 
 the inner apical angle, leaving the greatest breadth 
 at the tip ; posterior, with a narrower and paler 
 apical border, whose inner edge is slightly dentate, 
 and gradually diffused in the ground colour of the 
 surface, or entirely covered with a diluted yellowish 
 tint ; the inner margin is dirty grayish and downy, 
 lengthened in the direction of the anal appendage, 
 which is irrorated with dusky white ; underneath, 
 it is covered with a yellow ochraceous pulverulent 
 tint, which is uniformly diffused over the whole 
 surface, marked with four brownish parallel striga;, 
 the two interior ones being very obsolete, and appa- 
 rent only in fresh and well conditioned specimens ; 
 
■** THE ATYMNUS BUTTERFLY. 
 
 the third, extending over the middle of both pairs, 
 is the most distinct, and composed of darkish lunules 
 in close succession; the fourth, just within the 
 margin, is faint and interrupted ; the transverse anal 
 extremity is marked with a brownish band, consist- 
 ing of three confluent spots, which are covered along 
 the margin with whitish irrorations, the inner spot 
 being diffused over the rounded extremity of the 
 anal appendage. The body is broadish above, 
 with a slight admixture of yellow ; the thorax bears 
 delicate silky hairs; underneath, these parts are 
 covered with a short, close, whitish down. The an- 
 tenna? are brown; the tail is pale fulvous, with an 
 obscure brownish margin, and a whitish tip. 
 This Papilio inhabits India. 
 
TUE IIF.CKUBA BUTTEUFLY. 
 
 Papilio Hetikula. — South Ameiuca. 
 
\>9 
 
 THE HECKUBA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio lleckuba. 
 
 PLATE VII. 
 
 Papilio Hcckuba, Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 167 — Gmelin's 
 Linnmus Systema Natural, p. 2247. 
 
 The upper wings are of a very rich ferruginous 
 red colour; on the anterior margin there is an 
 acutely triangular mark, extending from the inser- 
 tion of the wing, nearly two-thirds across it, widen- 
 ing as it extends outwards, and of a deep sangui- 
 neus red, with dusky scalloped edges, and a double 
 border of crescent-shaped, deep straw coloured 
 spots ; the lower wings are black, of an ochre 
 yellow towards their base ; they are considerably 
 more indented than the upper ones, and provided 
 with a double border of oblong ovate deep straw 
 coloured spots, those next the edge of the wings 
 being set in pairs ; the body is blackish gray, some- 
 what ochre coloured above ; the whole under sur- 
 face of the wings is undulated with different shades 
 of brown, black, gray, and rust colour, and marked 
 by several eyelike spots, or annulets of similar 
 colours. 
 
50 THE HECKUBA BUTTERFLY. 
 
 This superb insect is one of the largest of its 
 tribe, measuring five inches and a half from the 
 tip of one wing to that of the other. It is a native 
 of South America. 
 
TIM' DIOMEDEfi BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio D'tomodes Java. 
 
51 
 
 THE DIOMEDES BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Diomedes. 
 
 PLATE VIII. 
 
 Papilio Diomedes, Shawfs Nat. Mis. pi. 296 Cramer's 
 
 Descr. des Pap. pi. 122, fig * Linn. Si/st. Nat. p. 
 
 749 Gmelin's Linne, pi. 2236. 
 
 The wings above, of this butterfly, are black, 
 having their disc unequally radiated with blue, 
 with a large round spot of black on the centre of 
 the upper wings, and their edges with a border of 
 equidistant white spots ; the lower wings with a 
 margin of crescent-shaped white spots, and each 
 provided with a subcaudal black appendage ; the 
 internal margins of both wings with a tinge of 
 yellowish green ; the body is short, of a reddish 
 brown, and the eyes are red. 
 
 The Diomedes butterfly is one of the larger 
 species, and measures five inches and a half from 
 the tip of one wing to that of the other. 
 
 This insect is a native of China. 
 
52 
 
 THE SAKUNI BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Sakuni. 
 
 Pulyoinmatus Pctavius, Ency. Meth. Hist. Nat. \%. 676 — 
 Pctavia Sakunc, Horsfieldfs Des. Cat. Mus. East India 
 Company, pi. 2. fig 1. 1. 
 
 The upper surface of the wings is of a dark 
 burnt umber-coloured brown, the superior pair with 
 a large orange patch towards their exterior edges ; 
 the whole are surrounded by an equidistant spotted 
 border of paler brown of the same colour ; the body 
 is also dark umber brown; the eyes are blackish 
 brown. The whole under surface of the wings is 
 of a rich brownish yellow, with irregular spots of 
 gray. The antennae have no visible club at their 
 termination. 
 
 This insect inhabits India. 
 
ffrtf 
 
 THE SAKUNI BUTTERFLY. 
 
 J'apilio Sakuni. Java. 
 
TIIF 3UGK1VA ISUTTFKFI.V 
 
 Papilio Sugriva Java 
 
53 
 
 THE SUGRIVA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Suyriva. 
 
 Thcckla Sugriva, Ilorsfield's Illustrations of Lepidopterous 
 Insects, Museum of the Hast India Company, pi. 1, fig. 
 10. 10. 
 
 The superior surface of both the upper and lower 
 wings are black, as well as the body and antennae ; 
 the lower wings have an oblong patch of deep ultra- 
 marine blue ; the caudate wings extend about an 
 inch beyond the lower wings, and have a slight 
 flexure towards their centre ; they are, together 
 with the wings, a considerable way above them, of 
 a pale fawn colour ; the inner point of the wings 
 having a crescent-shaped black spot on each ; the 
 under side is of a rich fawn colour, clouded and 
 streaked with dark brown, and having some black 
 eyelike spots, with a circular margin of rich golden 
 yellow. Extent of wings one inch and five-eighths ; 
 total length of both wings, including the caudate 
 wings, two inches and an eighth. 
 
 This rare and curious insect inhabits India. 
 
54 
 
 THE AMERICAN COMMA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio C. Aureum. 
 
 Papilio C. Aureum, Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 104G Smith'* 
 
 and Abbot's Insects of America, pi. 11. 
 
 The superior wings, and upper half of the lower 
 ones, are of a bright orange red, spotted with 
 variously-shaped marks of black ; the lower ones 
 with a large circular black comma-like spot in the 
 middle of the orange ; the upper wings are deeply 
 indented and scalloped on their edges, and have a 
 broad margin of black, within which is a border of 
 small white dots ; the under half of the lower wings 
 are black, with longitudinal clouds of dark steel 
 gray, approaching to blue in some species; they 
 are also deeply indented and scalloped on their 
 edges, with short subcaudate wings ; the body is 
 olive green, and the eyes orange. 
 
 The Papilio C. Aureum inhabits Virginia and 
 Georgia, where its caterpillar feeds on the leaves of 
 the white lime-tree; it changes to a chrysalis in 
 the month of May, and emerges the complete in- 
 sect in June. 
 
Papilio C. atirciim Vihcini 
 
TBI nolDIN-COrlTK BUTTFIIFI.V. 
 
 I'api/io Chryseis Britjuh. 
 
55 
 
 THE GOLDEN COPPER BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Cbryseis. 
 
 Papilio Chvysoia, Leaches Zoological Miscellany, pi. 13, page 
 
 27 — Fab. Mont. Ins. ii. p. 79, No. 725 Gmelin's Linn. 
 
 Systema Natural, p. 2359, No. 815 Wein. Schmetterl. 
 
 1111, No. 3. 
 
 The wings of the male are yellow orange above, 
 with black margins, and a black spot on the upper 
 ones, which are of a blue colour ; the female is 
 orange above, clouded and spotted with black. 
 Both are brown beneath, with twenty-seven eye- 
 like spots, or annulets. The wings extend one 
 inch and five-twelfths to half an inch. It appears 
 in the winged state in August and September. 
 
 This pretty insect was first introduced to the 
 notice of the British entomologist by Di Leach in 
 his " Zoological Miscellany," and was caught by 
 Mr Plastcd of Chelsea, in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, 
 and also near Kpping, and is a very rare insect. 
 
56 
 
 THE RAVINDRA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Ravindra. 
 
 TLATE XIII. 
 
 Miienfl Ravindra, Horsjic/d's Illus. Lep. Inst. Afus. East 
 India Company, p. 117. pi. 1, fig 11, 1 1. 
 
 The superior wings are brown above, being more 
 saturated in the male ; in which the lower wings 
 are of a pulverulent glossy hue, changing by the 
 play of light to sea green, deepening towards the 
 lower margin ; the latter with a snow white fringe, 
 extending to the paler inner margin. In the female 
 these wings are nearly all brown, having only a 
 few diffuse bluish crescent-shaped spots; the su- 
 perior wings arc grayish brown beneath, with a 
 grayish white anal area ; the lower wings are white, 
 and marked on the base and disc with oblong black 
 spots. The body is brown above, and hoary under- 
 neath; the antenme are brown, with a ferruginous 
 tip, delicately crenulated with white along the 
 lateral groove ; the legs are white, having distant 
 black bands on the tibice, and numerous bands on 
 the tarsi ; the caudate wings white, with a medial 
 black striga. 
 
 The Ravindra butterfly inhabits India. 
 
13. 
 
 THK IMVINDIIA BUTTERFLY. 
 
 J'apilio liavimlra J*v». 
 
II. 
 
 THR AGNOit BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio Agnor Asia. 
 
57 
 
 THE AGNOR BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Agrwr. 
 
 Papilio Agnor, Linnams Syst&ma Natures, ii. p. 747 
 
 Clerk, ic. Ins. liar. pi. 15 Cramer Desc. des Pap. i. 
 
 pi. il, fi s . a, a Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 500. 
 
 The upper wings of the Papilio Apnar are 
 brownish black, having broad streaks of deep black, 
 and with a large and small elongated triangular 
 scarlet spot towards their insertion, and placed near 
 the anterior margin ; the upper one being greatly 
 larger than the under one ; the lower wings are 
 brownish black on the upper half, and white on 
 the disc, with longitudinal broad black veins, be- 
 tween each of which is a large upright oblong ovate 
 black spot ; both upper and lower wings are con- 
 siderably dentated ; the antenna; are provided with 
 pretty large club-shaped tips ; the body is black 
 and downy. 
 
 This insect measures three inches and six-eighths 
 from the tip of one wing to that of the other, and 
 is an inhabitant of several parts of Asia. 
 
58 
 
 THE ARJUNA BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Arjuna. 
 
 Papilio Arjuna, Horsfield's Descriptive Catalogue of Lep. 
 Insects, Mis. East India Company, pi. 1. fig. 14. 14. 
 
 The upper and under wings of the Papilio Arjuna 
 are of a deep fulvous brown, thickly besprinkled 
 with minute greenish dots ; the lower wings with 
 a broad transverse green patch, occupying about a 
 third of the wings. This patch is liable to a 
 changebility of colour from the play of light ; at 
 the interior lower angle of this green patch is an 
 eyelike spot of black, its upper edge being sur- 
 mounted by a semilunar yellow stripe, above which 
 is a similarly shaped stripe of blue ; the upper wings 
 are slightly, and the lower ones deeply, indented, 
 and provided with subcaudal appendages, directed 
 outwards. The under surface of both wings are of 
 a raw umber colour ; the upper ones with a broad 
 transverse oblique band of pale straw yellow, ex- 
 tending entirely across them ; the lower wings with 
 a black border, having in each of the hollows a 
 crescent-shaped white spot, surmounted by an 
 acutely semilunar spot of yellow, ferruginous in 
 
15. 
 
 THF. AIWUNA BUTTF.UFLY. 
 
 Papitio Arjutia — Java. 
 
THE ARJUNA BUTTERFLY. ,59 
 
 the centre; above which are similarly shaped spots 
 of azure blue. The body is blackish brown. 
 
 This insects measures four inches across the 
 wings, and inhabits several of the Indian islands. 
 
60 
 
 THE SINGLE SPOT BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Spondite. 
 
 PLATE XVI. 
 
 Papilio Spondw;, Marian's Insects of Surinam, pi. 18 — 
 Shaw's Nat. Mis. pi. 806. 
 
 The whole upper surface of this butterfly is of an 
 uniform bright verditer blue, with a black spot on 
 each of the upper wings towards their tips, and a 
 yellow transparent spot near the centre, towards 
 the posterior margins of the lower wings; the under 
 surface of both wings is of a deep umber brown, 
 each provided with a waved grayish white sesqui- 
 alterous band, and the lower wings with a yellow 
 spot in the same situation as above ; the body is 
 brown beneath, and azure blue above. 
 
 The caterpillar of this insect, according to 
 Madam Merian, is of a very voracious nature, and 
 feeds on the leaves of the Spondias lutea, or Ameri- 
 can plumb ; it is of a deep green colour, and thickly 
 beset with long hairs, each having a little circular 
 ball at its tip. It changes to a chrysalis in the 
 beginning of April, and transforms into the perfect 
 butterfly in the end of the same month. 
 
 The Single Spot butterfly is a native of Surinam. 
 
ni. 
 
 THE SINGLE-SPOT DUTTEIIFLY. 
 
 Pap'Uio Spondia SURINAM. 
 
THE WHITE ADMIRAHLK BUTTRHFLY. 
 
 Papffio Camilla — Britain. 
 
61 
 
 THE WHITE ADMIRABLE BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Camilla. 
 
 PLATK XVII. 
 
 Papilio Camilla, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 781. No. 1 87 — Roes, 
 
 iii. tab. 33, figs. 3, 4 Donovan's Brit. Ins. vii. p. 75. pi. 
 
 244 Harris's Aurel. p. 56, pi. 30. fig. m. n. 
 
 The antennae are club-shaped at their termina- 
 tion, the wings erect when at rest ; they extend two 
 inches, to two inches and one-sixth, and are of an 
 uniform dark blackish brown on the upper side, 
 indented with a white band and spots ; between 
 which, and the base, is an ashy crescent-shaped 
 disc, and four white dots, with a double parallel 
 series of obscure, black marginal spots. The under 
 side of the wings is of a rich orange yellow, with 
 a white band and spots. 
 
 The caterpillar of the White Admirable butterfly 
 is green, and feeds upon the common honeysuckle 
 and woodbine. 
 
 The chrysalis is green, spotted with golden me- 
 tallic spots, forked in front. The fly is found in the 
 months of June and July on the skirts of woods. 
 It localizes in the south-eastern counties of England, 
 particularly in Sussex, Essex, Kent, Berks, Hants, 
 Middlesex, and Suffolk. 
 
6s 
 
 THE A RTA XERXES BUTTERFLY. 
 J'npi/io Artaxeiwes, — Biutai n. 
 
 PI/ATE XVIII. 
 
 Papilio Artaxcixcs, Fab. Ent. Sys. t. 3, p. 1. 297-129 
 
 Donovan's li rit. Ins. xv. p. 1, pi. 541 Rennie's Consp. 
 
 of But. p. 19. 
 
 The antennae are elevated at the tip ; the wings 
 are entire, sooty black, or brownish black, with a 
 white dot on the middle of the superior pair, and 
 with rufous lunules on the inferior ones ; margins 
 beneath white, with rufous dots ; the under surface 
 is of a pale brown, with numerous white eyelets, 
 black in the centre. The male is lighter than the 
 female. The extent of the wings is from one inch 
 to an inch and a sixth. It appears in the winged 
 state at the end of July. 
 
 This insect was first discovered on Arthur Seat, 
 near Edinburgh, by Dr Leach, and also on the 
 Pent land Hills, near Edinburgh, by the same 
 gentleman. Till that period, it was esteemed as 
 the highest possible rarity. It has also been found 
 at Dumfries and in Devonshire. 
 
 The Papilio Artaxerxes is by no means striking 
 in its appearance, but valuable on account of its 
 rarity. 
 

 18. 
 
 THE ART KX RUSKS BUTTERFLY. 
 
 Papilio .-trft'irrses. — Britain. 
 
19- 
 
 THR AZURE-BLUE BUTTF11FLY. 
 
 Papifio Argiolw — Britain. 
 
63 
 
 THE AZURE-BLUE BUTTERFLY. 
 Papilio Argiolus Britain. 
 
 PLATE XIX. 
 
 Gmelin's Linne, i. p. 5. 2350, No. 234 Donovan's Brit. 
 
 Ins. xiv, p. 39, pi. 418. — Polyommatus Argiolus, Ste- 
 phens Rennie's Conspectus, p. 17. 
 
 The extent of the wings is from an inch and a 
 sixth to an inch and a halt], of a deep azure blue ; 
 the superior ones with a broad transverse band of 
 black on their outer side, and a margin of black and 
 white dots ; the lower wings are dotted with black, 
 and a deep line of black towards their lower ex- 
 tremities ; the under side of the wings is light gray. 
 
 The female has more black at the tip of the wings, 
 which are bluish, inclining to purple ; the under 
 surface of both male and female is of a very pale 
 sky blue, dotted with black. This insect is not 
 uncommon, appearing about the middle of the day, 
 in sunny weather, on the skirts of meadows. 
 
 The larva of this butterfly is rarely to be met 
 with ; it feeds on grass, and is hairy ; of a yellow- 
 ish green colour, with a bright green line down the 
 back, and the head and legs are black ; it feeds on 
 buckthorn and holly. 
 
64 THE AZUltE-BLUE BUTTERFLY. 
 
 The chrysalis is smooth, of a brown and green 
 colour, with a black line down the back. 
 
 There are two broods of the Azure-Blue butter- 
 fly, one of which appears in the month of June or 
 July, and another in the latter end of August. It 
 inhabits the neighbourhood of London, Suffolk, 
 Norfolk, Kent, Hampshire, and Devonshire. 
 
20. 
 
 UKURY 8 SPHINX. 
 
 Sphinx Drurai Bbiti 
 
66 
 
 DRURY'S SPHINX. 
 Sphinx Drunsi. 
 
 Papilio Diurai, Dniry, vol. 1, pi. 25, fi ? . 42 DonovanS 
 
 Brit. Ins. xiv. p. I, pi. 469. 
 
 The wings are entire ; the superior pair grayish 
 brown, setaceous and clouded, with a distinct fus- 
 cous blotch in the middle ; the anterior wings are 
 rose coloured, with three waved transverse black 
 bands ; on the back are two eyelike blue spots ; 
 the back is the same colour as the superior wings, 
 and the abdomen rich crimson, with transverse 
 bands of black on each segment, and a longitudinal 
 stripe of brown down its centre. 
 
 This sphinx is supposed to have been imported 
 from America. 
 
(if! 
 
 THE CLEAR WINGED HUMMING SPHINX. 
 Sphinx Fusiformis. 
 
 PLATE XXI. 
 
 Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 803, No. 28 Sesia Fusiformis, Fab. 
 
 Sp. Ins. ii. p. 156, No. 11 Don. Brit. Insects, vol. iii. 
 
 p. 37, pi. 87. 
 
 The antennre are blackish brown ; the head and 
 thorax of a bright chrome yellow ; the body rich 
 brown, except the last segments, which are yellow ; 
 the abdomen is bearded with black ; the wings are 
 transparent, with a broad dark brown border. 
 
 The caterpillar of this insect feeds on the wood 
 of willows, and is concealed within the solid sub- 
 stance of the trunk, in the same manner as the larva 
 of the Sphinx apiformis and Sphinx tipuliformis 
 are concealed within the wood of a poplar, and 
 stalks of currant bushes. 
 
 Fabricius describes the caterpillar as green, with 
 a lateral line of yellow, and having a red spine at 
 the end of the body. Harris says, that in the 
 winged state the fly is found in gardens, on flowers, 
 in May. Fabricius says it feeds on the honey- 
 suckle. 
 
 It is a very rare insect, especially in Britain, 
 and has been found in Epping Forest. 
 
THE CI.F.AR-niNCED HUMMING SPHINX. 
 
 Sphinx Fimiformis Britain. 
 
THK CONVOLVUT.US SPHINX. 
 
 Sphinx Conuo/ouli. — Britain. 
 
THE CONVOLVULUS SPHINX. 
 Sphinx Convolvuli Britain. 
 
 PLATE XXII. 
 
 Sphinx Convolvuli, Linn. St/st. Nat. ii. p. 738, Note 
 
 Cramer Desc. des Pap. iii. p. 19. t. 225. fig. d Bono. 
 
 van's Brit. Ins. vii. p. 31. pi. 228. 
 
 The antenna are thickest in the middle; the 
 wings are entire, varying in the male from four 
 inches and one-third to four and a half inches ; and 
 in the female from four inches and a half to two- 
 thirds ; deflexed when at rest ; they are of a pale 
 brownish yellow, beautifully clouded and streaked 
 with, zigzag markings of blackish brown; the 
 lower wings with zigzag transverse bands. The 
 head is ash cotoured ; the thorax ashy brown, with 
 indistinct dark lines; abdomen with transverse 
 fillets of alternate black and pink. 
 
 This is the largest species of Hawk Moth which 
 inhabits Great Britain, with the exception of the 
 Sphinx Liguetri and the Sphinx Atropos. It is 
 rarely taken in this country, but is common in 
 Germany. 
 
 A beautiful variety of this insect is found in 
 North America ; the wings are more richly varied 
 with different shades of bright brown than the 
 
68 THE CONVOLVULUS SPHINX. 
 
 European kind ; the posterior wings are of a fine 
 rose colour. 
 
 The caterpillars are of two colours ; the one green, 
 with stripes of yellow and spots of black ; the other 
 brown, with ochre coloured stripes, and sides of the 
 same, and the horn dingy ; it feeds on the greater 
 and lesser bind- weed. Abbot figures a caterpillar 
 of this insect, with a rose coloured seam on the side. 
 It is four inches in length ; the pupa measures two 
 inches, and is of a reddish brown colour. It is 
 rather rare, and is found to inhabit Caithness in 
 Scotland, York, South Wales, Cambridge, Cumber- 
 land, Surrey, Middlesex, Cornwall, and Kent. 
 
THE LIME HAWK MOTH. 
 
 Sphinx Tilite Britait 
 
69 
 
 THE LIME HAWK MOTH. 
 Sphinx Tiliie. 
 
 PLATE XXIII. 
 
 Sphinx Tiliw, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 797 Merian's Ins. 
 
 ii. p. 80, No. 2 Donovan's Brit. Ins. x. p. 3, pi. 325. 
 
 — Smcrinthus Tiliaj, Lulreille. 
 
 The antennae are thickest in the middle ; the 
 wings are angulated, the superior ones of a fine 
 rose colour, with two square patches of green on 
 each, and a broad band of green at their exterior 
 sides, and margined with crimson ; the thorax and 
 abdomen are also green, and a yellowish triangular 
 patch on the back ; the lower wings are of a rich 
 yellowish brown, margined with crimson. The 
 wings of the male are two inches and one-sixth to 
 one inch and two-thirds ; the female is from two 
 inches and a third to three inches ; they are some- 
 what three-lobed in form. 
 
 The caterpillar is emerald green, and solitary in 
 its habits; the segments banded, spotted with 
 crimson and yellow, and thickly covered with 
 punctured white dots. It feeds on the lime-tree, 
 alder, elm, oak, and birch, and changes in Sep- 
 tember to the pupa state, and remains in that 
 
70 THE LIME HAWK MOTH. 
 
 condition during the winter. It is of a dusky 
 brown, and is transformed into the perfect sphinx 
 in May. 
 
 It is plentiful in Devonshire, Hertfordshire, 
 Essex, Surrey, and Yorkshire. 
 
li». CUFDEN NONPAUF.il. Jlultl. 
 
 Phaltena Fraxlna Britain. 
 
71 
 
 THE CLIFDEN NONPAREIL MOTH. 
 Phalmia Fra.iini. 
 
 Plialscna fraxini, Linn. Sgst. Nat. ii. p. 843, No. 125 
 
 Wilk's Pap. No. 45, tub. i. a 2 — Merian's Insects of 
 
 Europe, pi. 4 — Roes. iv. pi. 28, fig. 1 Donovan's 
 
 Brit. Ins. vol. v. p. 89, pi. 171. — Catocala Fraxini, 
 Car<is. 
 
 The wings are from three inches and five-sixths 
 to four inches in extent ; they me scalloped. Supe- 
 rior ones ashen gray, covered with numerous zigzag 
 markings of a darker colour ; under wings blue, 
 with transverse bands of black. The wings are 
 deflexed when at rest ; the antenna; taper from 
 the base ; the thorax is crested. 
 
 The under side is of a dull cream yellow, with 
 many black cloud-like bands crossing the wings. 
 
 The male is easily distinguished from the female 
 by its smaller size. This moth is subject to con- 
 siderable variety, both in the markings and arrange- 
 ment of the spots, as well as in the degree of in- 
 tensity in the colours of both upper and lower 
 wings. We have examined some specimens from 
 the north of Europe, which were comparatively 
 null in their colours to those of Britain. 
 
7'2 THE CMFDEN NONPAREIL MOTH. 
 
 The larva feeds on the ash-tree, the poplar, oak, 
 and elm ; and is found in Yorkshire, Kent, Suffolk, 
 and Surrey ; it changes to the pupa state in June. 
 The chrysalis is of a pale raw umber brown, and is 
 slightly covered with hairs. The perfect moth 
 emerges in July. 
 
 The English name given to this very beautiful 
 moth, was in consequence of its having been first 
 taken at Clifden in Buckinghamshire, in the month 
 of July. It was discovered hanging against the 
 pedestal of a statue, having just emerged from the 
 chrysalis, and was in the act of drying its wings. 
 
 It is extremely probable that this elegant butter- 
 fly was originally introduced into Britain in the 
 egg or pupa condition, among continental plants. 
 
 It is one of the rarest, as well as the largest of 
 the British lepidoptera, and is much less uncommon 
 in Germany, and other parts of the continent, than 
 in Britain. 
 
THE DWITFORD EMERALD MOTH 
 
 Phalana Lucidata Uritaik 
 
73 
 
 THE DARTFORD EMERALD MOTH. 
 Phultena Lundata. 
 
 PLATE XXV. 
 
 Phalana lucidata, Donovan's British Insects, iii. p. 07. 
 pi. 97 — Rennie's Conspectus, p. 17. 
 
 Tins pretty insect is of a fine lucid emerald 
 green, with two waves across the upper, and one 
 across the under wings. The wings extend one 
 inch and one-fourth, to five-twelfths. 
 
 Donovan says, " This species we have ever found 
 peculiar to the woods about two or three miles be. 
 yond Dartford, in Kent, particularly on the skirts 
 of Darnwood, and near the banks of the river 
 Thames, at Queenhithe. It has probably never 
 been taken elsewhere, or the name Dartford Eme- 
 rald would not, have been so generally adopted by 
 collectors. 
 
 I am not certain whether in the larva state it 
 feeds on the convolvulus, although I found it on a 
 plant of that kind, as its climbing stalks and tend- 
 rils were so intricated with branches of white thorns, 
 oak, and brooms, as to prelude any accurate deter- 
 mination." 
 
 The head of the caterpillar is gray, with black 
 
 VOL. III. p 
 
74 THE DARTFOBD EMERALD MOTH. 
 
 jaws, and is concealed beneath two reddish horns 
 or projections of the same green colour as the back. 
 It feeds on the oak, sloe, &c. 
 
 The pupa is of a dull brown, betwixt a bistre 
 colour and raw umber. 
 
 This is a very rare British moth, and has only 
 been found in Kent and Surrey, and in the latter 
 locality very sparingly. 
 
Phalaoia Proserpina — North Amp.iuca. 
 
7.5 
 
 THE PROSERPINA MOTH. 
 Phaltena Proserpina. 
 
 PIATE XXVI. 
 
 Phatona Proserpina, Shaw's Naturalist's Miscellany, pi. 998. 
 
 The whole wings of this interesting phaltena are 
 of a deep black, which changes into a beautiful 
 glossy blue by the reflection of light; both the 
 upper and lower wings are provided with a very 
 broad sesquialterous waved band of pale straw 
 yellow, which is greatly broader on the lower ones ; 
 both sets of wings have a crescent-shaped black 
 spot, with an ochre coloured centre, situated in 
 the bands ; those of the superior wings are placed 
 near the top of the upper inner margins, and those 
 of the lower wings towards the interior margins; 
 the entire exterior margins of the wings, are sup- 
 plied with a fine fringe ; the body is the same colour 
 as the wings, with four transverse tufts of a colour 
 between scarlet and orange. The head and upper 
 part of the thorax is pale straw yellow; the an- 
 tennas are fringed, and of an ochre yellow. 
 
 The caterpillar is of a pale gamboge yellow, with 
 a cr.mson head and tail, and each side of the upper 
 surface furnished with an undulated, longitudinal, 
 
76 THE PROSERPINA MOTH. 
 
 black band, from the sides of which project branched 
 filaments set in pairs. It feeds on the leaves of 
 several species of American oak. 
 
 The pupa is of a dull umber brown. 
 
 This moth inhabits Georgia and Virginia. 
 
THE BROOM MOTH. 
 
 Phafana Ptsi.— Ban 
 
77 
 
 THE BROOM MOTH. 
 Phalcena Pisi. 
 
 PLATE XXVII. 
 
 PhalamaPisi, Linn, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 854, No. 172. — Merian's 
 Europ. tab. 50 Donovan's Brit. Ins. ii. p. 39, pi. 51. 
 
 The superior wings are from half an inch to two- 
 thirds ; of a reddish brown, clouded with darker- 
 grayish brown, with a gamboge and yellowish-gray 
 undulated lines near their exterior margins. The 
 lower wings in the male are of a light brown, with a 
 broad shade of grayish ; and in the female they are 
 ash coloured at the base. 
 
 The caterpillars of this species will indiscrimi- 
 nately eat the leaves of the knot-grass, pease, the 
 broom, &c. It is from the latter food which the 
 moth takes its name. The caterpillar has a pale 
 pink head ; the body is dark reddish brown, with 
 two longitudinal rich yellow stripes on each side ; 
 the belly and feet are of a raw umber brown. It 
 is found in July and August, and descends into the 
 ground late in September, or the first week in Oc- 
 tober, and the fly comes forth in July. 
 
 Caterpillars that enter the earth in the larva 
 form, pass to the chrysalis, and issue forth in the 
 perfect fly state, have no occasion for a web to 
 
78 THE BROOM MOTH. 
 
 protect them ; and therefore few species prepare 
 one. But among those which remain exposed in 
 the open air, a very small proportion neglect to 
 weave a web with the utmost skill and industry. 
 
 It is found in Ireland, near Dublin, at Durham, 
 Essex, Derbyshire, Middlesex, and Surrey. 
 
''Iliiihut'-W^^ 
 
 28. 
 
 THK BK0WN-TA1L MOTH FEMALE. 
 
 Phalana Phaorrhoea. — Bii ita m. 
 
79 
 
 THE BROWN TAIL MOTH. 
 Phalaiia Phaorrhaa Britain. 
 
 PLATE XZVIIX! 
 
 Phaltonn I'liirorrlura, Curtis's Hist. 1782 Marsh, Linn. 
 
 Tr. v. p. C8 Donovan's Brit. Ins. xvi. p. 39, pi. 555. 
 
 The antennae taper from the base ; the wings 
 of the male are yellowish, or cream yellow, and from 
 one inch and a third to one and a half inch ; the 
 female is from one inch and a half to two-thirds, 
 and pure white above. The first pair of wings 
 have a dusky cloud on the upper edge in the male ; 
 the antennae ferruginous ; the abdomen dark umber 
 brown, with the last segment of an orange brown. 
 
 The caterpillar is black, with longitudinal double 
 lines of red along the back ; and each segment 
 spotted with white along the sides. The pupa is 
 brownish black. 
 
 The history of this little moth is very interest- 
 ing, and was given at considerable length by Mr 
 W. Curtis, author of the " Flora Londinensis." 
 
 In the year 1782, the inhabitants of London and 
 its vicinity were thrown into the utmost consterna- 
 tion by the appearance of a phenomenon far from 
 usual in the northern regions of the earth, — a host 
 of insects, in numbers like the locusts of the deserts, 
 
80 THE BHOWN TAIL MOTH. 
 
 were observed at once to pervade the whole face of 
 vegetation, and despoil the herbage in many places 
 for miles, of every trace of verdure. These were no 
 other than the larvte of an insignificant moth, the 
 subject of our present plate. 
 
 The ravages committed by this insect were 
 assuredly less considerable than the vulgar were 
 inclined to believe. True to their natural instinct, 
 some particular vegetables were preferred to others, 
 and these they devoured with impunity, while 
 others were only partially attacked, as though 
 eaten with reluctance in the general scarcity of 
 their natural food ; and again, others being still less 
 palatable, entirely escaped their devastations. The 
 aspect of vegetation was nevertheless such as might 
 justly create alarm : plants, hedges, nay, whole 
 plantations of fruit-trees, as well as trees of the 
 forest, shared in the general havoc, presenting their 
 leafless branches in the midst of summer, as though 
 stricken and destroyed by the blasts of winter. An 
 appearance so extraordinary was calculated to create 
 terror : it was naturally interpreted as a visita- 
 tion from heaven, ordained to destroy all the sources 
 of vegetable life, to deprive men and cattle of their 
 most essential food, and finally leave them a prey 
 to famine. Such were the vulgar fears ; but, thanks 
 to Providence, the destroying powers of these crea- 
 tures were restricted to their instincts ; their at- 
 tacks were principally directed against the oak, the 
 
THE BROWN TAIL MOTH. 81 
 
 hawthorn, the elm, and fruit-trees ; the fodder for 
 the cattle, and the harvest for mankind, remained 
 untouched. The appearance of such a host of little 
 depredators, seems, however, to have afforded a 
 seasonable admonition, evincing to an unthinking 
 multitude, how easy the comforts, nay, even the 
 existence of man, may be assailed by a creature so 
 insignificant, had not the limits of its ravages been 
 prescribed by Him " who wills, and is obeyed ;" — 
 its intrusions certainly created alarm, but did little 
 serious injury. 
 
 This is no exaggerated picture of the public mind 
 on the occasion to which we refer ; its alarm was 
 so powerful, and prevailed to such an extent, that 
 prayers were publicly offered up in the churches to 
 avert the calamity it was supposed they were in- 
 tended to produce. The webs containing the larva? 
 were collected in many places about the metro- 
 polis by order of the parish officers, who allowed a 
 certain prize to the poor for gathering them, and 
 superintended the burning of them in large heaps 
 with coal and fagots. At this precise period the 
 tract by Mr Curtis, as above related, appeared. 
 In this memoir the history, manners, and propen- 
 sities of this little creature were explained, and the 
 information it afforded must have undoubtedly con- 
 tributed in an essential manner to calm the terror 
 before excited. Its publication was useful in an- 
 other point of view; for by its means the pursuits 
 
82 THE BROWN TAIL MOTH. 
 
 of the entomologist, then confessedly in a state 
 of infancy in this country, were looked upon with 
 more respect, and we have no doubt contributed in 
 an eminent degree to the advancement of the 
 science. 
 
 " The attention of the public," says Mr Curtis, 
 " has of late been strongly excited by the unusual 
 appearance of infinite numbers of large white webs, 
 containing caterpillars, conspicuous on almost every 
 hedge, tree, and shrub, in the vicinity of the metro- 
 polis ; respecting which advertisements, paragraphs, 
 letters, &c, almost without number, have appeared 
 in the several newspapers, most of which, though 
 written with a good intention, have tended greatly 
 to alarm the minds of the people, especially the 
 weak and the timid. Some of these writers have 
 gone so far as to assert, that they were an usual 
 presage of the plague ; others, that their numbers 
 were great enough to render the air pestilential, 
 and that they would mangle and destroy every 
 kind of vegetable, and starve the cattle in the fields. 
 From these alarming misrepresentations, almost 
 every one ignorant of their history has been under 
 dismal apprehensions concerning them. 
 
 " Some idea may be formed of their numbers from 
 the following circumstances : — In many parishes 
 about London subscriptions have been opened, and 
 the poor employed to cut off and collect the webs at 
 one shilling per bushel, which were burned under 
 
THE BKOWK TAIL MOTH. 83 
 
 the inspection of the churchwardens, overseers, or 
 beadles of the parish ; at the first onset of this 
 business, fourscore bushels, as I was most credibly 
 informed, were collected in one day in the parish of 
 Clapham." 
 
 The Brown-tail Moth is found in many parts of 
 Europe. Albin, who published in 1720, says the 
 caterpillars lay themselves up in webs all the winter, 
 and as soon as the buds open they come forth, and 
 devour them in such a manner, that whole trees, 
 and sometimes hedges, for a great way together, 
 care absolutely bare. Geoffroy describes it as the 
 most common of all insects about Paris, where it is 
 found on most of the trees, which it often strips 
 entirely of their foliage in the spring. It is also 
 noticed by Ray. 
 
 These caterpillars have happily many enemies, 
 they are eagerly devoured by birds ; the ichneumon 
 fly destroys them by myriads ; and it is supposed 
 that the absence of the latter, from some unknown 
 cause, might have contributed, for one or two sea- 
 sons, to their immense increase. As soon as they 
 quit the egg they begin spinning the web, and, 
 having formed a small one, they proceed to feed on 
 the foliage, by eating, like most other larvee, the 
 upper surface and fleshy part of the leaf. In these 
 webs they are progressively increased in size, as 
 necessity requires ; they live in societies till they 
 attain their last skin, when each spins a separate 
 
84 THE BROWN TAIL MOTH. 
 
 web or cocoon for itself; in this it passes to the 
 pupa condition about the beginning of May, and, 
 after remaining about three weeks in the chrysalis 
 state, it changes to the perfect moth. There is 
 more than one brood a year, the species being found 
 in the winged state in July and August. 
 
29- 
 
 THE COMMON SILVKR LINK MOTH. 
 
 Fhalcena Fagana Britain. 
 
85 
 
 COMMON SILVElt.LINE MOTH. 
 Phulana Fagana, 
 
 PLATE XXIX. 
 
 Plinliona fagana, Don. Brit. Ins Chltrplmra Fngnna, 
 
 Stephens — Rennie's Conspectus, page 155. 
 
 The antennae taper from the base ; the wings 
 are deflexed when at rest ; they extend one inch 
 and three-fourths to five-sixths ; the superior ones 
 of a deep yellow green, having three oblique white 
 silvery stripes across each; the lower wings and 
 abdomen are of a pale yellow green. The male 
 differs from the female in having the lower wings 
 yellowish green, with a thicker snow white mar- 
 gin. 
 
 The Phalsena Fagana is not one of the rarest 
 British Moths, and claims attention from its beauti- 
 ful and gay appearance. The larva is found feeding 
 on the oak in August and September. In the be. 
 ginning of October it spins a very extraordinary 
 kind of covering in the leaf of the oak, and changes 
 to the pupa within it. This covering somewhat 
 resembles a tent, or rather an inverted boat, being 
 shuttle-formed, and having a keel or longitudinal 
 ridge along the upper part ; its colour is yellowish 
 
86 COMMON SILVER-LINE MOTH. 
 
 brown ; the caterpillar is of a pale willow green, 
 with three longitudinal stripes of yellow along the 
 sides ; the pupa underneath is purple. 
 
 It transforms into the perfect moth in the end 
 of May. 
 
THE GRKY-SCOLLOPFD 
 
 I'liatccwt Flavillacerius 
 
 MI-MOTH. 
 
 _I)niT»i 
 
87 
 
 THE GRAY SCOLLOPED BAR MOTH. 
 Phalana Flavillacearius. 
 
 Phalauia Flavillacearius, Harris's Aurelian,\>\. xxxiii. fig. u. 
 page 64. — Mmsia flavillacearius, Rennie's Conspectus, page 
 102. 
 
 The wings of the male one inch and five- 
 twelfths, to seven-twelfths ; the female one inch 
 one-third, to one- half. The whole insect is of a 
 pale ashy-gray, with two interrupted sesquialterous 
 bands or bars crossing the upper wings, having 
 black spots in the centre, and one on each of the 
 lower ones, with two black spots. All the wings 
 are provided with a fringe. The antennae are 
 filiform and tapering, and the tail broad and 
 fringed. 
 
 This moth was first described by Harris in his 
 Aurelian. He received it from Mr Bolton of Hali- 
 fax, in Yorkshire, and also in Hampshire. It is a 
 scarce British moth, and appears in the winged 
 state in June. 
 
88 
 
 THE GREAT EOGER MOTH. 
 Phaltena Quercus. 
 
 PLATE XXXI. 
 
 Phala-na Quercus, Merian's Insects of Europe, i. t. 10 — 
 Harris's Aurel. pi. 29, fig. a, b, c, <1, c. f. — Donovan's 
 Brit. Ins. iii. p. 83, pi. 103 anil 104 Lasiocampa Quer- 
 cus, (Schrank,) Iiennic's Conspectus, page 37. 
 
 The antennae of the male are feathered, the 
 wings are of a dark reddish brown, with a 
 bright yellow bar across each, and a clear white 
 spot on the centre of each of the superior wings. 
 The female has the same markings as the male, but 
 of a paler colour. The wings of the male are two 
 inches and one-half to five sixths ; those of the 
 female three inches one-twelfth to one-fourth. 
 
 In the caterpillar condition it is hardly possible 
 to distinguish the male from the female, except 
 that the former is smaller than the latter; they 
 are of a pale yellow, with black lines, and slanting 
 white streaks on the sides ; but in the last state 
 their colours are entirely different, the female being 
 of a pale yellowish tint, inclining to fox colour ; 
 the male is of a rich brown. 
 
 The caterpillars of the Great Egger Moth feed 
 on the white and black thorn, ash, birch, oak, wil- 
 
TI1R ORKAT KCGER MOT 
 
 PAalana Querent. Bm 
 
THE GREAT EGGER MOTH. 89 
 
 low, hornbeam, and broom, together with several 
 other herbaceous plants. It has been observed to 
 thrive better in the breeding cage, when regularly 
 supplied with fresh grass, to keep the former in a 
 proper state of moisture. 
 
 The female deposits her eggs in June or July, 
 and the caterpillars are hatched in autumn, the 
 time depending on the state of the atmosphere. 
 They remain in the larva state all winter, and spin 
 a large brown case about the middle of May, with- 
 in which they pass to the pupa condition, and emerge 
 the perfect insect in June. 
 
 The eggs resemble those of a hen in shape, but 
 are prettily mottled with dark brown. 
 
 The caterpillars cast their skins several times, 
 and always thereafter assume a new appearance, 
 though the general colours and character of the 
 species may be traced through every stage. 
 
 This species is common in Darent Wood, Dart- 
 ford, New Forest, Devonshire, near London, and 
 in the vicinity of Dublin, in Ireland. 
 
90 
 
 THE GOLDEN YELLOW MOTH. 
 Phalana I'laviolata, 
 
 PLATE XXXII. 
 
 Phnltnui flaviolnta, Cramer Des. de Pap.i.y. 139.pl. lxxxviii. 
 
 fig. C Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 867. No. 240 — Phalmna 
 
 Geometiw, Seba, iv. t. 7. fig. 7, and 8, and 1. 13, fig. 3 and 4. 
 
 The upper under wings, and body of this moth, 
 are of a very rich golden yellow, with a very broad 
 border of deep black, irregularly vandyked on its 
 anterior edge ; the shoulders and head are black ; 
 the antennoe short and filiform ; and the eyes 
 scarlet. 
 
 The under side the same as the upper side. 
 
 This moth inhabits India. 
 
THE GOLDEN YRLLOW MOTH. 
 
 1'halana Flaviolata India. 
 
THE PKPPE11ED MOTH. 
 
 Phaiana BetulaHa — Britai > 
 
91 
 
 THE PEPPERED MOTH. 
 Phalmia Betularia. 
 
 PLATE XJtxIII. 
 
 Phalsma, Betularia, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 862, No. 217 
 
 Fab. Spec. Inst. ii. p. 2.52, No. 56.— Donovan's British 
 Insects, vol. vii. p. 55. pi. 237._Bi s ton Betukrius, {Leach ) 
 Rennie's Conspectus, p. 1 04. 
 
 The wings are entirely of an ashen gray, speckled 
 all over with black ; the margins with a clouded 
 border, and each wing is provided with a zigzag 
 line. The wings are in general deflexed when at 
 rest ; and in the male extend from one inch and a 
 half to five-sixths, and in the female from two 
 inches and one-fourth to one-third. The lower 
 wings have sometimes a black wavy streak behind 
 the centre ; body grayish; white corslet, with a black 
 fillet. 
 
 In the larva condition, it feeds on the lime, 
 willow, and elm ; it is of a dark burnt umber brown* 
 colour, spotted with lilac, having a reddish line on 
 the back ; or sometimes ashy gray, with two warts 
 on the eighth segment, and two on the eleventh; 
 and changes to the pupa state in September. The 
 pupa is of a deep chocolate brown, with a few ob- 
 scure spots, and a long spine at the tip; some are 
 
92 THE PEl'PEHED MOTH. 
 
 of a deep olive green colour, while others are nearly 
 black. It transforms into the perfect moth in the 
 month of May, and is common in Yorkshire, Dur- 
 ham, Cambridgeshire, and in the neighbourhood of 
 Edinburgh, and other parts of Scotland. 
 
34. 
 
 THE MICILIA JI0I1I. 
 
 Phulcena Micifia Surinam. 
 
<>; 
 
 THE MICILIA MOTH. 
 P.'utlama Micilia. 
 
 l'habiia Micilia, Cram, Desc. de Pap. iii. p. 62. pi. 228; 
 fig. G. 
 
 The upper surface of the superior wings are 
 black, with an elongated triangular white spot, 
 widening externally, and occupying three fourths 
 of the surface of the wings ; this spot has a trian- 
 gular azure blue streak towards its internal angle, 
 and white in the middle ; beyond the larger spot, 
 near the point of the wing, is another white upright 
 oblong-ovate spot ; the lower wings and body are of 
 a fine azure blue, the former white in the centre ; 
 the antennae are fringed, and the eyes crimson ; 
 the white parts of the wings are clear and trans- 
 parent. 
 
 This insect inhabits Surinam. 
 
9* 
 
 THE EMPEROR MOTH. 
 
 Phalana Pavonia. 
 
 PLATE xxxv. 
 
 Phalama pavonia, Donovan's Brit. Ins. i. p. 5, pi. ]._ 
 
 Harris's Aurelian, pi. xxv. fig. g, li, p. 43 Linn. Syst. 
 
 Nat. ii. j). 816 — Saturnia Pavonca Minor, (Schrank,) 
 Jiennie's Conspectus, p. 36. 
 
 The antennas are feathered ; it has rio trunk ; 
 the wings are expanded, horizontal, rounded, entire, 
 with a large eyelike spot in the centre of each ; 
 the first reddish brown, waved ; the second orange. 
 Those of the male two inches and a half to five- 
 sixths, and in the female two inches and a half 
 to three inches and a half, and of a gray colour. 
 The upper wings have a half-closed eyelet, the tip 
 purplish, with one or two red spots ; the lower 
 wings with a half-closed eyelet, and having a gray 
 posterior band, and the lower margin somewhat 
 purple. The antennae of the male are broader than 
 in the female, and the wings of the female larger, 
 waved with black and white, and bordered with 
 yellow. Length, an inch ; breadth, two inches and 
 a half. 
 
 The caterpillar is green above, the segments 
 marked by black rings, in which are a row of yellow 
 
rilK EMPEROR MOTH. 
 
 I'lnilii'iui I'ai'onia — linn 
 
THE EMPKllOn MOTH. 9- r > 
 
 punctated dots, from whence emanate short fasciculi 
 of very tine hairs ; along each side is a longitudinal 
 yellow line ; the belly is rusty brown, and the 
 feet are black. They are subject to considerable 
 variety of appearance, as they progress towards 
 maturity. When young, they arc yellowish ; the 
 tubercles black, with a stripe of the same colour 
 as the segments of the joints. After this, the 
 yellow bands become orange, and the transverse 
 black stripes appear interrupted with longitudinal 
 bands of pale green. Some are entirely green 
 except the tubercles, which are yellow, and a small 
 black speck on each joint ; and others are green, 
 chequered with black, and marked on the side 
 with a row of similar spots. In the winged state, 
 however, we find no permanent and characteristic 
 distinctions. 
 
 In the earlier state the caterpillars are grega- 
 rious. 
 
 The chrysalis is black, and very blunted in shape. 
 
 The conformity and likeness which prevails be- 
 tween the male and the female throughout the 
 greater part of the animal kingdom, cannot, how- 
 ever, in insects be depended on ; the difference is 
 frequently such as to deceive even the most expert 
 entomologists. The difference between the male 
 and female Emperor Moth is strikingly obvious; 
 the male is smaller than the female, and the 
 colours in general darker ; the lower wings also are 
 
{)(} T1IK EMPEROR MOTH. 
 
 orange in the male, and not so in the female ; and 
 finally, the two sexes may be determined by the 
 structure of the antenna ; those of the male being 
 nearly oval, and very deeply feathered or pecti- 
 nated, and those of the female also pectinated, but 
 so slightly as to appear setaceous. As the structure 
 of the antennse is an unerring criterion by which 
 the sexes are ascertained, the Phalcena Pavonia 
 Minor is a phenomenon in entomology ; for both 
 the male and female so perfectly resemble the 
 female Emperor Moth, Phalcena Pavonia Media, 
 that it may be mistaken for the same species ; the 
 female differs in no respect from it, and the male 
 only in the form of the antenna?. 
 
 Linneeus, and after him Fabricius, describes 
 three varieties of Phahena Pavonia. 1. Minor. 
 2. Media. 3. Major. The first is the variety 
 found in this country, and in the north of Europe. 
 
 We are informed by Latreille, that a manufactory 
 of silk from the cocoons of this caterpillar has been 
 established in Germany. 
 
 Albin says, that in a specimen which he pre- 
 served, the male seemed to have changed to the 
 aurelia state on the 16th July, and in March 
 following it emerged the perfect moth. But the 
 time of their appearance depends on the pro- 
 portion of heat or cold ; Albin's subject was pre- 
 served from the severity of winter in a warm room. 
 The usual time to find them in the caterpillar state 
 
THE EMPEROR MOTH. 97 
 
 is in the month of August, and in the end of 
 April they transform into the perfect fly. 
 
 The Emperor Moth is not by any means rare in 
 Britain, and is to be found in Kent, Sussex, Nor- 
 folk, and Devonshire. 
 
 The singular provision which Nature makes for 
 the protection of this moth, deserves particular 
 notice. When the time of its continuation in the 
 caterpillar state is expired, by much labour it 
 forms a kind of bag or purse of a very tough sub- 
 stance. This it fixes against the trunks of trees, 
 &c, by a number of hairs or filaments, which re- 
 main on the external surface. It lines the outer 
 case by one of a firm texture, the top of which is 
 closed by several bristles that unite in the centre, 
 exactly representing a cap, and excludes almost the 
 possibility of its receiving an injury during this 
 defenceless state. In this bag it passes to the 
 aurelia state, and remains until it transforms the 
 perfect insect. 
 
 Authors instance many plants as the food of the 
 Emperor Moth ; it will live on the rose, the elm, 
 alder, oak, the willow, and on thorns and brambles 
 particularly. 
 
THE PUSS MOTH. 
 
 Phalana Vinula. 
 
 PLATE xxxvi. 
 
 Phala-na vinula, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 815. No. 29 — 
 
 Wilk's Pap. tab. 13. fig. 1. e 1 Donovan's Brit. Ins. 
 
 iii. p. 33. pi. 85 Ccruia vinula, (Schrank,) Rennie's Con- 
 spectus, p. 32. 
 
 The antenna} are feathered; the wings gray, 
 streaked, and waved with dull black zigzag lines, 
 somewhat diaphanous ; the thorax and abdomen 
 are gray, spotted with black. The wings of the 
 male are from two inches and a half to two inches 
 and three quarters in extent, while those of the 
 female are from three inches and a twelfth to a 
 third. They are of an ashy gray colour ; the first 
 pair with the upper edge spotted with black ; the 
 nervures are yellow ; they have two convergent and 
 slanting rows of black spots near the base, followed 
 by a brown waved streak ; towards the middle a 
 black crescent pointing outwards, between which 
 and the tip are two very acutely waved brownish 
 slanting streaks. The second pair of wings have a 
 dingy crescent spot on the disc, and one or two 
 spots on the hinder margin, towards the posterior 
 angle. 
 
36. 
 
 THE PUSS MOTH. 
 
 Fhalcena Vinula Britain. 
 
THE PUSS MOTH. 99 
 
 The caterpillar from which this moth is pro- 
 duced is solitary, and is of a very extraordinary 
 form, and has rather the appearance of a formid- 
 able or venomous creature than the larva of a 
 moth. It is of a bluish purple on the back, covered 
 with small black punctated dots. This back ap- 
 pears like a mantle in which the animal is invested ; 
 the sides and belly are of a rich green, and each 
 segment is provided with a small ovate rich yellow 
 dot ; the head is short and thick, dark burnt umber 
 brown ; it has two tails of crimson filaments at 
 the extremity of the body, and these can be pro- 
 truded or concealed within the base at the crea- 
 ture's pleasure ; when protruded, they have a con- 
 tinual writhing, vibratory motion ; it feeds on 
 willows, sallows, and poplars, and is generally 
 found in great plenty where those trees grow, and 
 in the month of July. 
 
 The larva, when attacked, defends itself by 
 ejecting an acrid fluid from an opening in the under 
 part of the neck. 
 
 The pupa is brown, inclosed in a hard case. 
 
 The Puss Moth passes to the pupa state in Au- 
 gust, in which condition it remains all the winter, 
 and appears in the winged state about the latter 
 end of May, or early in June following. It is found 
 near London, in Yorkshire, and Cambridgeshire. 
 
THE PEBBLE PROMINENT MOTH. 
 rhalana Ziczac. 
 
 PLATE XXXVII. 
 
 Phakena ziczac, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 827. No. 6] — 
 
 Merian's Europ. t. 147 Donovan's Brit Ins. iv. p. 29. 
 
 pi. 119 Notodonto ziczac, (Ochsenhcimer,) Itennie's 
 
 Conspectus, p. 23. 
 
 This pretty moth is brown and white clouded, 
 like an agate, having a large clouded eyelike spot 
 next to the exterior margin of the superior wings ; 
 the wings of the male extend from an inch and 
 two-thirds to three quarters; those of the female 
 from an inch and five-sixths to eleven-twelfths ; 
 and the interior margin is provided with a tuft, or 
 appendage ; the antennre are feathered, purplish, 
 and intersected with dashes of black, and a mar- 
 ginal black streak ; and the fringe is brown, dotted 
 with white ; the lower wings are of an ashy gray, 
 with a black marginal line, and a whitish fringe, 
 of a dark brown colour towards the posterior angle. 
 
 The caterpillar of the Pebble Prominent Moth is 
 very beautiful, and at the same time very singular 
 
37. 
 
 PEBBLE PROMINENT MOTH. 
 
 Phalasna Ziczac. 
 
THE PEDDLE PROMINENT MOTH. 101 
 
 in its forms, which will be better understood by the 
 following figure: — 
 
 The head is dark brown ; the body of a delicate 
 rose colour, each segment being traversed by a 
 longitudinal pale yellowish band; and the four next 
 the perpendicular tail have punctated pink dots ; 
 the tail segments are of a deep crimson, very wide 
 and open at the termination, with three golden 
 yellow spots at th,e extreme edge, and a circular 
 dot of the same colour near the body; the feet 
 are brown. It feeds upon the willow early in 
 June, and changes to the pupa state in the same 
 month ; it is of a dark brown colour, and it lies 
 in this condition within a fine brownish web, which 
 it spins between two leaves. The perfect moth 
 comes forth in August. 
 
 The Pebble Prominent Moth inhabits Yorkshire. 
 Kent, Surrey, and Norfolk; and in Ireland, near 
 Dublin. 
 
102 
 
 THE LINCEA MOTH. 
 Phalana lAncea. 
 
 PIATE XXXYUI. 
 
 Papilio Lincca, Cramer's Desc. des Ins. ii. p. 6, 'pi. 228, 
 fig. B. 
 
 The upper wings are of a deep black, which 
 changes to an intense blue by the play of light ; 
 the upper half of the lower wings are of the same 
 colour, and the lower half of a deep and rich orange, 
 the upper wings being tipped with the same colour ; 
 the body is of a pinkish brown ; the tail orange ; 
 the antennas are filiform and tapering ; the eyes are 
 scarlet. 
 
 This moth is the same beneath as above, and is 
 an inhabitant of China. 
 
38. 
 
 THK LINCF.A MOTH. 
 
 Plialana Lincea China 
 
39. 
 
 THE SPRINKLING MOTH. 
 
 Phalana Liboria. — Sierra I/i one. 
 
THE SPRINKLING MOTH. 
 Phalcena Liboria. 
 
 PLATE xxxix. 
 
 Papilio Liboria, Cramer's Desc. des Insects, iv. p. 106, 
 pi. 345, fig. d. 
 
 The upper wings are of an intense crimson or 
 marone colour, with a very broad border of black, 
 internally undulated ; and the exterior margins are 
 also black ; the lower wings are of a reddish fawn 
 colour on their upper half, and black on the lower 
 half, with two lines of black on the fawn colour ; 
 the head and shoulders are of the same fawn colour 
 as the lower wings ; the rest of the body is intense 
 black ; the eyes are scarlet, the anteiinse filiform, 
 and the tail fringed, and somewhat fan-shaped. 
 
 This moth inhabits the coasts of Africa, particu- 
 larly Sierra Leone. 
 
10-t 
 
 THE EUPHEMIA MOTH. 
 Phalosna Euphemia. 
 
 Plmla-na Euphemia, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. iv. p. 111.".. 
 pi. 343, fig. a. 
 
 The upper wings are black clouded, and spotted 
 with yellowish fawn colour ; the lower wings are 
 deep crimson, with a broad border of intense black ; 
 the whole are provided with a fine fringe; the 
 body is reddish brown, with transverse bands of 
 blackish brown ; the antennas are filiform and 
 tapering ; the eyes pink ; and the tail fan-shaped 
 and fringed. 
 
 This curious moth inhabits the Molluccas, and 
 also Amboyna. 
 
THE EUPHEMIA MOTH 
 
 Phaltena Euphemu Aubovjja. 
 
THE MF.DA11DA MOTH. 
 
 Phalana Me'tarda — SuttiN \m. 
 
THE MEDARDA MOTH. 
 J'/iu/wna Medarda. 
 
 Plinltrna Medarda, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. iv. p, 107, 
 pi. 345, fig. f. 
 
 The wings are of a very intense blackish brown ; 
 the lower ones having two streaks of a rich yellow- 
 ish orange or umber "colour, the one on the upper 
 and the other on the lower edge of the wings ; the 
 antennae are filiform, somewhat long ; the thorax 
 black ; the abdomen orange, and the same tone as 
 the wings, with a black line down the centre ; the 
 eyes are green. 
 
 The Medarda Moth inhabits Surinam. 
 
106 
 
 THE BUTTERFLY MOTH. 
 Phalama Pupilionaris. 
 
 PL.1TE XLM. 
 
 1'hahrmi Pupilionaris, Cramer's Desc. des Pup. i. p. 45, pi. 29, 
 fig. A.—Drury's Insects, ii. pi. 2, fig. 4. 
 
 Both the upper and lower wings of this moth 
 are black, studded with interrupted bands of straw 
 yellow, and having a row of spots of the same 
 colour near the posterior margins of all the wings ; 
 the upper pair have a band or belt of azure blue on 
 their anterior margin, extending from the body to 
 nearly the tip of the wings ; the body is black ; the 
 thorax having a white transverse band across the 
 shoulders, and a blue circular spot beneath, below 
 which is a triangular azure spot ; each segment of 
 the abdomen has a blue transverse band. 
 
 The antennre are setaceous, and the eyes red. 
 
 This moth greatly resembles a butterfly ; hence 
 its name. 
 
•tllE BUTTF.UFLY HOTH. 
 
 Phalanti Papilionaris. 
 
THE MM.ini.lt MOTH. 
 
 Phattena Afititaris, — China 
 
107 
 
 THE SOLDIER MOTH. 
 Phalasna Militaris. 
 
 PLATE XLIII. 
 
 Papilio Militaris, Cramer's Desc. tics Pap. i. p. 4(i, p ] 29 
 fig. b. 
 
 The upper wings of this moth are of a dull citron 
 yellow in the half next the body, with variously 
 shaped large spots of black; they are black the 
 other half, with three irregularly shaped gray 
 marks, which are quite transparent; the lower 
 wings and body are of the same citron yellow as 
 the inner half of the upper wings, with large spots 
 of black on different parts ; the thorax is egg-sha- 
 ped, with four small black spots across the shoulders, 
 and a black transverse band beneath ; the antenna; 
 are rather short, and slightly setaceous ; the eyes 
 are scarlet. There is a peculiarity in the upper 
 wings of this moth, in being considerably less than 
 the under ones. 
 
 This insect well deserves the name of a beauti- 
 ful moth, although it has none of the dazzling 
 colours for which many of its congeners are remark- 
 able. It inhabits China. 
 
108 
 
 THE MEON MOTH. 
 Phalana Mean. 
 
 PLATK XLIV. 
 
 Phalana Meon, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. i. p. J 13, pl> 71, 
 
 fig. E. 
 
 The wings and body of the Meon Moth are of a 
 deep velvet black, variously spotted with white ; 
 towards the anterior margin are three square crim- 
 son spots ; the antennas are setaceous, and the eyes 
 deep crimson ; the tail is terminated by a funnel- 
 shaped process. 
 
 The Meon Moth is a very rare insect, and in- 
 habits Berbice. 
 
TIIH HF.ON MOTH. 
 
 Phalasna Meon Bbrbicf. 
 
THE LECTftlX MOTH. 
 
 rhalama Lectrh: — China 
 
109 
 
 THE LECTRIX MOTH. 
 Phalana Leclrix. 
 
 I'LATE XLV. 
 
 Phalana Lcctrix, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. ii. p. 145, pi. 129, 
 
 fig. c Linn. Syst. Nat. ii p. 034, No. 89 Houllnin, 
 
 Nat. Hist. i. d. xi Stiek, p. 598, pi. 92, fig. 5. 
 
 Both upper and under wings of this moth are 
 black, the upper ones having three large irregular 
 patches of straw colour, and a smaller circular spot 
 of the same colour towards the insertion of the 
 wings ; they are also provided with a large trian- 
 gular spot of white on the base, towards the shoul- 
 ders, with two small ovate white spots near the 
 anterior margin, and a row of somewhat oval spots, 
 forming an interrupted zone, a little distance from 
 the margins, in both wings ; the lower wings have 
 a patch of orange at their insertion, and several 
 differently shaped ones beneath ; the thorax is 
 large, ovate, and of a black colour, with fine straw 
 coloured spots above ; the abdomen is orange, with 
 transverse black bands on each annulatipn ; the 
 head is black, and the eyes scarlet ; the antennre 
 are filiform, and somewhat long. 
 
 This moth is subject to considerable variety in 
 the markings. It inhabits China. 
 
THE WHITE SPOTTED MOTH. 
 Phulana Albomaculula. 
 
 l'haltena Albomnculsitn, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. iv. p. 1G0. 
 pi. 345. fig. c. 
 
 Both upper and lower wings of this moth are 
 black, the former having two large straw coloured 
 patches on each ; the lower wings with two gray- 
 ish white spots ; the thorax is large, sub-ovate ; 
 gray across the shoulders ; yellow on the sides, and 
 of a raw umber brown in the middle, the body being 
 of the same colour ; the antennae are short and fila- 
 mentary, and the eyes scarlet. 
 
 This rare insect inhabits the coasts of Guinea. 
 
40. 
 
 THE WHITE SPOTTKO MOTH. 
 
 Phaliena Albomaculata G v\ n st . 
 
47. 
 
 THE DRI8K MOTH. 
 
 Phalcsna Lepida. — Bewgal. 
 
Ill 
 
 THE BRISK MOTH. 
 Phalama Lepida. 
 
 PLATE XLVII. 
 
 Phalama Lepida, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. iii. p. 50, pi. 130, 
 fig. E. 
 
 The upper wings of the Phalmna Lepida. are 
 black at their insertion, with a very broad green 
 band across the middle, and a broad or umber 
 brown border ; the lower wings are entirely of this 
 last colour, as well as the abdomen ; the head and 
 body are green, the antennse filamentary and short, 
 and the eyes crimson. 
 
 The Phalcena Lepida is a rare moth, and inha- 
 bits Bengal. 
 
112 
 
 THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 Phalmna Paphia. 
 
 PLATE XLVI1 
 
 Plialama paphia, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. pi. 14C, f. a. 
 pi. 147, f. a. b. pi. 148, f. a. ; Linn. Trans, vii. p. 33 — 
 Phalajna mylitta, Drury, ii. pi. .5, fig. 1. Male — Bombyx 
 mylitta, Fab.Ent. Syst. 3 a. p. 411, 11. 
 
 The following description of this insect in its 
 various stages was collected and drawn up by Dr 
 Roxburgh,* who spent many years in India, and 
 had an opportunity of witnessing the animal. 
 
 " The egos are white, round, compressed, with 
 a depression or pit in the centre, on each side ; the 
 circumference crossed with ruga?, corresponding 
 with the rings of the inclosed animal. They hatch 
 in from two to four weeks, according to the state 
 of the weather." 
 
 The following figure represents the eggs the size 
 
 * I.innean Transactions, vii. p. 33. 
 
THE Tl'SSEII Ml IUV01t.1l MOTH. 
 
 Phalana Paphia India. 
 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 113 
 
 of nature, deposited on the branch of the Jujube or 
 Byer tree. 
 
 I 
 
 " The larvjE or caterpillars acquire their full size, 
 which is about four inches in length, and three in 
 circumference, in about six weeks ; they are nearly 
 the colour of the leaves they feed on, and are com- 
 posed of ten segments, of which the posterior one 
 is in some degree bifid. There is a light yellowish- 
 coloured stripe on each side, which runs from the 
 second or third anterior segment to the fissure of 
 the last ; immediately under these stripes the 
 middle five, six, or seven segments are marked 
 with an oblong gold-coloured speck. The back is 
 also marked with a few round darker-coloured spots, 
 and a few long, coarse, distinct hairs issue from 
 
114 THE TUSSEH BILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 these spots, -with others of a smaller size scattered 
 over the insect. They are furnished with eight 
 pairs of legs. The pectoral or anterior three pairs 
 end in a single claw each. The abdominal four 
 pairs, are very thick, and truncated like the feet of 
 an elephant. The caudal pair is similar to the 
 abdominal. When the larvse approach near to their 
 full size, they are too heavy to crawl in search of 
 their food with the back up, as is usual with most 
 caterpillars, but traverse suspended by the feet." 
 
 The above cut represents the caterpillar the size 
 of nature, the day after that on which it emerged 
 from the egg, and the following shows its appear- 
 ance when full grown, but only half the size of life : 
 
 "The chrysalis. When the caterpillars are ready 
 to spin the cases in which they are to pass this 
 
THE TUSSKH SILKWORM MOTH. 115 
 
 state of their existence, each of them connects, by 
 means of the recent glutinous filament of which the 
 case is made, two or three leaves into an exterior 
 envelope, which serves as a basis to spin the com- 
 plete case or cocoon in ; besides, the case is sus- 
 pended from a branch of the tree in a wonderful 
 manner by a thick strong consolidated cord, spun 
 of the same materials from the bowels of the animal, 
 ' as represented in the following figure, which is a 
 
 third of the size of the cocoon inhabited by the female 
 insect.' This case is of an exact oval shape, and 
 exceeding firm texture : in it the animal remains 
 dormant and perfectly protected for about the space 
 of nine months, viz. from October until July, so 
 that they make their appearance in time for the 
 caterpillars to come into existence, when Providence 
 
llfi THE TUSSKH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 has furnished them with the greatest plenty of 
 proper food, viz. during the months of August, 
 September, and October. When the insect is pre- 
 pared to make its escape, and be changed to its per- 
 fect state, it discharges from its mouth a large quan- 
 tity of liquid, with which the upper end of the case 
 is so perfectly softened as to enable the moth to work 
 its way out in a very short space of time ; an opera- 
 tion which is always performed during the night. 
 
 " The imago. In their perfect state they are 
 wholly taken up in providing for a continuation of 
 the species, and do not exist more than from six, 
 to twelve days when confined ; how long they 
 may live when at liberty is hard to say, but I 
 imagine nearly the same as when restrained. 
 While in this state of perfection, they receive no 
 nourishment whatever, nor have they any mouth 
 or channel by which food can be received. When 
 the female is impregnated, she deposits her eggs on 
 the branches of the tree she may be resting on, to 
 which they adhere firmly by means of the gluten 
 they are covered with when newly laid. 
 
 " The wings of the male expand five or six inches, 
 and those of the female from six to eight : the fol- 
 lowing part of the description applies to both : — 
 
 " The head scarcely projecting beyond the ante- 
 rior margin of the first pair of wings ; eyes large, of 
 a dark brown colour ; antennae pectinated ; of the 
 male oval, of the female lanceolate; palpi four, 
 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 117 
 
 the exterior two ascending, hairy, covering the 
 inner vesicular, cream coloured, deflected pair, which 
 hide a concavity where the mouth is generally 
 situated in other species ; mouth none, nor is there 
 any kind of proboscis or tube ; thorax oval, com- 
 pletely clothed with long fine hair, of nearly the 
 prevailing colour of the wings hereafter to be men- 
 tioned ; abdomen oblong, (of the female much 
 larger,) composed of seven segments, and clothed 
 with much long fine hair, like the thorax ; legs six, 
 hairy, nearly equal ; the tarsi with a pair of long, 
 strong, incurved claws ; all the articulations are 
 much contracted ; wings horizontal, expanded, 
 slightly striped in the directions of the tendons; 
 superior, or first pair, of a cream orange buff, or 
 brownish colour, or a mixture of these ; first, all 
 the anterior margins rather concave, beyond that 
 much curved, and bounded with a beautiful light 
 bluish gray coloured belt ; posterior (fan) edges 
 somewhat concave, scolloped, and ornamented with 
 a pretty broad, beautiful, circumscribed, scolloped 
 border, of sometimes a darker, sometimes a lighter, 
 colour than the rest of the wings ; inner or abdomi- 
 nal edges nearly straight ; in the centre of each 
 wing there is a remarkable eye, with the large 
 pupil of micaceous transparency, and a beautiful 
 party-coloured iris ; inferior, or second pair, are 
 in point of colour like the first pair; the poste- 
 rior margins are also scolloped, and with a similar 
 
118 THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 border, but convex ; the eye in the centre of each 
 is also the same ; all are clothed with much soft 
 hair, which becomes longer and longer towards the 
 shoulder or points of insertion. 
 
 " The following interesting history of these most 
 beautiful as well as most useful animals, I have had 
 the good fortune to procure, by means of Mr William 
 Pope of Mahometpore, and with the writer (Mr 
 Atkinson's) permission, I transcribe in this place : — 
 
 ' I have an opportunity of consulting two of 
 the hill people, in whose neighbourhood a good deal 
 of Tusseh silk is produced, and whom I have ques- 
 tioned on points imperfectly known to myself. To 
 reply to the Doctor's questions regularly : — 
 
 ' 1st. The cocoons of the insect, which feeds 
 on the Byer leaf, are called by the natives Bughy, 
 producing a Tusseh silk. They are annual, and are 
 said to remain in the cocoon nine months, and to 
 be three months in the egg and worm state. 
 
 ' 2d. This species cannot be domesticated. I 
 am informed that the natives cannot even retain 
 any of it for seed. The hill people say that they 
 go into jungles, and under the Byer and Asseen 
 trees they find the excrement of the insect; on 
 which they examine the tree, and, on discovering 
 the small worms, they cut off branches of the tree 
 sufficient for their purpose, with the young brood 
 on the branches ; these they carry to convenient 
 situations near their houses, and distribute the 
 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 ny 
 
 branches on the Asseen tree in proportion to the 
 size thereof, but they put none on the Byer tree. 
 The Parieahs, or hill people, guard the insects night 
 and day while in the worm state, to preserve them 
 from crows and other birds by day, and from bats 
 by night. 
 
 LEAF OF THE JUJUBE OR BYER TREE. 
 
 OR BYER TREE. 
 
 ' I myself have seen them thus watching the 
 brood. This species cannot be confined, for so soon 
 as the moth pierces the cocoon it gets away j and the 
 people add, that it is impossible to keep it by any 
 precaution whatever. 
 
120 THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 • 3d. To wind off these cocoons, they put them 
 into a ley made of plantain ashes and water, for 
 about two hours, after which they take them out 
 of the ley, and put them in their wet state into an 
 earthen pot ; those which are properly softened are 
 first applied to the reel, and so on, as the cocoons 
 become soft, for four or five days, till the whole are 
 wound off. 
 
 ' Tlie implement used for taking off the thread 
 is a small common reel of four bars. The cocoons 
 are laid in a smooth earthen dish, without water ; 
 the reel is turned by the right hand, whilst the 
 thread of four or five cocoons passes over the left 
 thigh of the spinner, and he gives the thread a 
 twist with his left hand upon his thigh. The ope- 
 ration is this instant in my sight, with a thread of 
 five cocoons, the produce of another species called 
 Jarroo, and described below, but the reeling is ex- 
 actly the same as that of the Bughy, and therefore 
 one description answers for both. I must add, that 
 the thread is exceedingly apt to come off double and 
 treble for several yards together, which is not re- 
 garded by the natives, as breaking off double threads 
 would diminish the produce, and, moreover, would 
 occasion loss of time : a very even thread, however, 
 may with care be reeled from either the Bughy or 
 Jarroo cocoon. 
 
 4th. ' The Bughy silkworm feeds indifferently 
 on Byer and on Asseen leaves, and is a species in 
 
THE TUSSEII SILKWORM MOTH. 1 ^ L 
 
 every respect perfectly distinct from the insect of 
 the Palma Christi, the latter being different in size, 
 much less cultivated, and fed in houses as regularly 
 as the mulberry worm. I shall not proceed to de- 
 scribe it, as the species is not at all included in Dr 
 Roxburgh's questions. 
 
 ' The Jarroo cocoons alluded to above, are so 
 called from being produced in the coldest month of 
 the year, say January ; the Bughy being about a 
 month before them. The Jarroo are likewise an- 
 nual, and the history of them is nearly the same as 
 that of the Bughy ; they are however different, I 
 am assured. The Jarroo will eat the Byer leaf if 
 he cannot get the Asseen, but he will always pre- 
 fer the latter, and produce a better cocoon when fed 
 on it. His silk is more of a dull colour than that of 
 the Bughy, which latter worm the hill people put 
 on the Asseen alone, not because it prefers it to the 
 Byer, but because they have greater plenty of As- 
 seen than Byer, and, moreover, trim and dress out 
 plots of Asseen on purpose for the worms. The 
 principal difference between the above two species 
 is, that the natives retain a part of the Jarroo co- 
 coons for seed ; these they hang out on the Asseen 
 trees when the proper season of the moth arrives ; 
 when the moths come out, the male insects invari- 
 ably all fly away, but the females remain on the 
 trees. These are not impregnated by the males 
 bred along with them, but, in ten or twelve hours, 
 
 VOL. III. I 
 
L2S THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 or perhaps one, two, or three days, a flight of males 
 arrive, settle on the branches, and impregnate the 
 females ; by the bye, the hill people calculate good 
 or ill fortune in proportion to the speedy or tardy 
 arrival of the stranger males. These insects die as 
 soon as the purposes of nature are effected, and the 
 females live only to produce the eggs on the branches 
 of the trees, and then expire. In regard to the 
 Bughy species, they all take flight, females as well 
 as males, and hence the natives firmly believe that 
 they are all males, though I cannot see any physical 
 reason for supposing them so. I have frequently 
 endeavoured to detain the males of the Jarroo spe- 
 cies, and have kept them locked up in a box for 
 that purpose ; but whether they did not like to 
 make free with their female relations, or from what 
 other cause I know not, but I could never obtain a 
 breed in the domestic state, and the efforts of the 
 male to escape were wonderful, and at last always 
 effectual. The accounts given by the natives of 
 the distance to which the male insects fly are very 
 astonishing. I have put, at different times and 
 occasions, innumerable questions to them on this 
 subject, and they assure me that it is no uncommon 
 practice amongst them to catch some of the male 
 moths, and put a mark on their wings previous to 
 letting them fly, the marks of different districts be- 
 ing known. I am told that it has been thus ascer- 
 tained that male moths have come from a distance 
 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 12.') 
 
 equal to a hundred miles and upwards. I of course 
 cannot vouch for the truth of this, but have no 
 hesitation in declaring that I believe it. The Jar- 
 roo worm is guarded on the trees in like manner as 
 the Bughy ; this I have had opportunities of seeing 
 on the hills westward of me : the cocoons are darker 
 coloured than the Bughy species, and are wound off 
 as described above. The accompanying skein I had 
 reeled off at my elbow this morning ; it consists of 
 five Jarroo cocoons at first, of four when one cocoon 
 was finished, and of three when two cocoons were 
 ended. I then stopped the reel ; the three that re- 
 mained of course gave a filament the entire length 
 of the skein. 
 
 ' There is still another species of wild silkworm 
 produced in the Burbhoom hills, which I heard is 
 more capable of being domesticated than the one 
 above described ; but I dare say you will excuse 
 my saying any thing respecting it, as I can only 
 speak from hearsay, the insect not being produced 
 in these hills. 
 
 ' I send you herewith,' says Mr Atkinson, in a 
 subsequent communication for Dr Roxburgh, ' a 
 specimen of Bughy Tusseh silk. I kept the co- 
 coons by me several days after they had been steep, 
 ed in the alkaline ley, and they reeled just as well as 
 if they had been newly soaked. The cocoons do 
 not, T think, differ from those of the Jarroo species, 
 except that they are lighter coloured. I send one 
 
124 THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 which the moth has pierced, and will send for more 
 to take down with us. There are none of the 
 Palma Christi species of Tusseh to be had here, but 
 I have sent for some. I fancy this last is the most 
 valuable kind, for the silk piece wove from it is 
 uncommonly durable. The head sircar of the fac- 
 tory here has an outside cover of a palanquin, which, 
 he tells me, has been worn eleven years ; also some 
 purdahs, which, he says, have been in constant use 
 nine years, and are not much decayed yet. I re- 
 member examining the palanquin cover about five 
 or six years ago. 
 
 ' I have heard that there is another variation 
 of the Tusseh silkworm in the hills near Baugli- 
 pore ; its cocoon is said to be smaller than the co- 
 coons of the Bughy and Jarroo species ; perhaps 
 this may be the kind furnished to Doctor Roxburgh 
 by Major Hutchinson : but, after all, I confess it may 
 be suspected that all the variations are derived from 
 the same insect originally, and that they have 
 assumed different habits by different modes of cul- 
 ture or food. 
 
 ' When I return from Calcutta, I shall make 
 particular inquiries on the subject. 
 
 ' You will observe that the inclosed specimen 
 is tinged of a deeper colour than the filament of the 
 cocoon ; this they say is from the alkaline ley.' 
 
 " Mr Atkinson has, since writing the foregoing 
 letters, sent me large supplies of the cocoons of both 
 
THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 125 
 
 the Bughy and Jarroo insects, and I have received 
 parcels of them from other quarters. These have 
 all produced their insects ; and after minute inves- 
 tigation, I am not able to observe any difference, 
 except in the size, and that is even trifling, so that 
 I can at most only call them varieties of the same 
 species. But very different is that which lives on 
 the leaves of the Pahna Clnisti plant, a species I am 
 now able to give an account and drawings of, having 
 often reared and conducted them through their vari- 
 ous stages, in my own room, within these three 
 years. 
 
 " This moth is called the Bughy by the natives of 
 the Burbhoom hills, where the silk (which the same 
 people call Tusseh) is manufactured. 
 
 " They are found in such abundance, over many 
 parts of Bengal and the adjoining provinces, as to 
 have afforded to the natives, from time immemorial, 
 an abundant supply of a most durable, coarse, dark 
 coloured silk, commonly called Tusseh silk, which 
 is woven into a kind of cloth called Tusseh doot'hies, 
 much worn by Bramins and other sects of Hindoos. 
 This substance would, no doubt, be highly useful 
 to the inhabitants of many parts of America and 
 the south of Europe, where a cheap, light, cool, 
 durable dress, such as this silk, makes, is much 
 wanted." 
 
 This cloth, though of a loose texture, is uncom- 
 monly durable, wearing constantly for fifteen or 
 
l'JO THE TUSSEH SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 twenty years ; a garment made of it is scarcely 
 worn out in the life of one person, but often de- 
 scends from mother to daughter ; even the covers of 
 palanquins made of it, though exposed to the in- 
 fluence of weather, last many years. 
 
127 
 
 THE ARRINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 Phalmna Cynthia. 
 
 Phnlicnsi Cynthia, Cramer's Desc. des Pap. i. pi. 39, fig. *. ; 
 Drury's Ins. ii. pi. 6, fig. 2.; Linnean Trans, vii. p. 42. 
 
 Dr Roxburgh gives the following Recount of this 
 moth through its different stages : — * 
 
 The Egos of the Arrindy Silkworm Moth on the point of a lenf of 
 the lliciitis OOmmwiis, or common Palma Christi. 
 
 " The eggs are numerous, ovate, pure white ; size 
 of a pretty large pin's head. Hatch in from ten to 
 fifteen days, according to the temperature of the air. 
 
 The nhove figure is the size of the caterpillar of the Vhakcna Cgnthii 
 the day after it is hatched* 
 
 Linnean Transactions, vii. p. 42. 
 
128 
 
 THE ARUINDY SfMCWOllM MOTH. 
 
 The Lauva of the Phahena Cynthia, two-thirds the size of the animal 
 when it hits arrived at its full size, and ready to spin. 
 
 " The larvse arrive at their full size, which is 
 from two and a half to three inches, in the space of 
 about one month ; during which time they, like the 
 caterpillars of the common silkworm, cast their 
 skin three or four times. They are also composed 
 of ten segments ; across the middle of each are 
 several small, soft, conic-pointed tubercles ; other- 
 wise they are smooth and delicately soft. The 
 prevailing colour pale or sea green. In this state 
 they are very voracious, devouring daily many times 
 their own weight of food. Like the caterpillars of 
 P. paphia, they are furnished with eight pairs of 
 legs, viz. three pairs of pectoral, four pairs abdomi- 
 nal, and one pair of caudal. 
 
TUB AR1UNDY SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 129 
 
 " The chrysalis. The cocoon, or covering thereof, 
 white or yellowish, of a very soft delicate texture ; 
 in general about two inches long, and three in cir- 
 cumference, pointed at each end. Enveloped in 
 this case the animal remains dormant from ten to 
 twenty days, according to the state of the weather ; 
 when, like the common Silk Moth, the now perfect 
 insect, or 
 
 " The imago, issues forth from one end, and in 
 this state exists from four to eight days, during 
 which period it is wholly employed in the grand 
 work of nature — generation ; remaining perfectly 
 contented in its chamber, seldom attempting to fly 
 away. In this respect it differs exceedingly from 
 the Bughy and Jarroo Moths. 
 
 " The wings of the female expand from four to 
 five inches; those of the male considerably less. 
 
130 THE ABBINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 In other respects the following description applies 
 to both : — 
 
 " Head roundish; eyes large, bright, dark brown ; 
 antennae pectinated, light brown; those of the male 
 narrower ; length equal to that of the head and 
 thorax ; palpi four, as in P. paphia ; mouth none ; 
 thorax oval, completely covered with long, fine, 
 brownish hair, with a band of white down round 
 the neck ; abdomen oblong (in the female greatly 
 larger), clothed with much fine white down above, 
 and with alternate triangular spots of white and 
 brown on the sides and belly ; legs six ; wings 
 incumbent, expanded when at rest ; superior, 
 or first pair, falcated ; prevailing colour brownish 
 gray; a subdiaphanous, curved, white, and rust 
 coloured band crosses from the centre of the anterior 
 (sector) margin to near the middle of the inner slip 
 or edge ; from nearly the middle of which, on the 
 inside, another short white bar runs to the posterior 
 edge of the shoulder, and one to the inner part of 
 the sector edge, forming a dark angular spot in the 
 centre of the junction of these two small bars with 
 the first mentioned long one. Adjoining to the fore 
 part of this angular spot is a semilunar, somewhat 
 pellucid speck, with a yellowish centre ; near the 
 rounded falcated apex of each wing is a small dark 
 coloured eye, with the anterior margin thereof 
 white ; their posterior margins are entire, and con- 
 cave towards the point, with a lighter coloured 
 
THE AIWINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 131 
 
 border ; the inner margins are nearly straight and 
 entire ; both the angles are rounded ; inferior, or 
 second pair, are nearly of the same colour, with a 
 whitish, horseshoe-shaped belt near the centre, 
 opening on the inner, or slip edge, and enclosing a 
 semilunar spot, like that of the first pair ; exterior 
 margins entire, convex, with a somewhat waved, 
 lighter coloured yellowish border. 
 
 " Mr Atkinson, who furnished me with the most 
 interesting parts of the history of Tusseh silkworms, 
 has also contributed most of the following remarks 
 on this species. 
 
 " They are, like the common silkworm, reared in 
 B domestic state, and entirely fed on the leaves of 
 the Palma Christi plant. Their cocoons are re- 
 markably soft and white, or yellowish ; the fila- 
 ment so exceedingly delicate as to render it imprac- 
 ticable to wind off the silk : it is therefore spun like 
 cotton. The yarn thus manufactured, is wove into 
 a coarse kind of white cloth, of a seemingly loose 
 texture, but of incredible durability, the life of one 
 person being seldom sufficient to wear out a gar- 
 ment made of it ; so that the same piece descends 
 from mother to daughter. 
 
 " ' Since I last wrote to you,' says Mr Atkinson, 
 ' I have reared two parcels of Palma Christi silk- 
 worms, with a view towards winding off the cocoons, 
 but all my endeavours to obtain cocoons that would 
 reel off were in vain. I even brought a man from 
 
liS2 THE AHRINHY SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 the country where this species of silkworm is culti- 
 vated, and he laughed at my endeavours to get 
 cocoons to reel ; asserting that it was impossible, 
 and that they were always spun off into a thread 
 like cotton by the women only : he attempted to 
 show me how, but made a very awkward hand of 
 it, and a very bad specimen of thread : the opera- 
 tion, too, appeared tedious, so that I do not think 
 that any thing is to be expected from this insect, 
 except as a natural curiosity.' 
 
 " Mr John Glass, the surgeon at Bauglipore, 
 writes to me as follows on the same subject : — 
 
 " ' I am glad to hear you have got the worm 
 that feeds on the Ricinus, but sorry to say there is 
 no possibility of winding off the silk from the cones. 
 Inclosed is a little of some I bred a few years ago, 
 when I sent a quantity of it to the directors, but 
 have never received an answer. I at the same 
 time sent a little to my friends in England, and 
 f understand that some manufacturers, to whom it 
 was shown, seemed to think that we had been de- 
 ceiving them by our accounts of the shawls being 
 made from the wool of a goat ; and that this Rici- 
 nus silk, if sent home, could be made into shawls 
 equal to any manufactured in India.' " 
 
 Extract of a letter on the same subject from 
 Henry Creighton, Esq. of Malda, dated 12th Febru- 
 ary, 1800. 
 
 Some of the silk of this worm, which was brought 
 
THE ARRINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 133 
 
 to this country, on being examined by British 
 manufacturers, was at first by them erroneously 
 believed to be the article employed in making the 
 rich East India shawls ; but, on examination, it 
 proved to be of a much harsher nature, and to wear 
 very rough, and has not been found applicable to 
 any valuable purpose. 
 
 " The Palma Christi silkworm goes by the 
 same name as the plant does among the natives, 
 which is Arrindy. They accordingly call it Ar- 
 rindy-icorm Arrindy. thread, Arrindy -cloth, &c. 
 They rear it in their houses much in the way the 
 silkworm is reared. Their manner of spinning it is 
 as follows : — Four or five of the cocoons are fastened 
 to a stick stuck in the ground, or sometimes they 
 hold it in their hand. These are united into one 
 thread, and made fast to a piece of wood, with 
 something heavy to make it spin round while sus- 
 pended by the thread : when they let out sufficient 
 of the cocoons from their hand, it is twisted by this 
 piece of wood spinning round, and when well twist- 
 ed it is wound round the wood, and another length 
 let out from the hand. The cocoons are spun wet, 
 but only with cold water. The cloth is woven in 
 small pieces in a loom, and is as coarse as light vit- 
 tree, but more open ; and on being washed and 
 beaten well, is made very soft and pliable. It is 
 entirely confined to the districts of Dinagepore and 
 ltungporc ; no other place in Bengal having got it. 
 
134 THE AUUINDY SILKWORM MOTH. 
 
 Its uses are for clothing, for both men and women. 
 It will wear constantly ten, fifteen, or twenty years ; 
 the merchants also use it for packing fine cloths, 
 silks, or shawls. It must, however, be always 
 washed in cold water ; if put into boiling water, it 
 makes it tear like old rotten cloth. There is a cocoon 
 produced wild upon the mango-tree, which they 
 gather, and mix with Arrindy cocoons in spinning. 
 I have only seen one caterpillar of it, and I did not 
 succeed in rearing it. I shall inquire for some, and 
 get a drawing made, if possible, as they cannot be 
 sent or carried to any distance. 
 
 " This insect, known to the Hindoos by the 
 Arrindy in some parts, in others Arundi, appears 
 to be peculiar to the interior parts of Bengal ; and , 
 so far as I can learn, to two districts only, viz. 
 Dinageporc and Itungporc, where the natives breed 
 and rear it in a domestic state, as they do the com- 
 mon silkworm. The food of the caterpillar consists 
 entirely of the leaves of the common Ricinus, or 
 Palma Christi, which the natives of these districts 
 call Arrindy, (hence the name of the insect,) and is 
 abundantly reared over every part of India, on ac- 
 count of the oil obtained from the seed. Feeding 
 these caterpillars with its leaves will, therefore, 
 make it doubly valuable where they know how to 
 spin and manufacture the silk. 
 
 '■' The late Sir William Jones mentions this ani- 
 mal in a letter to Dr Anderson, dated 17th May 
 
THE ARIUNDY SILKWORM MOTH. 13. r > 
 
 1791, under the name of Phalcena Ricini, a name 
 that I cannot well continue for fear of confounding 
 it with Fabricius's Bombyx Ricini, which is cer- 
 tainly a very different species." 
 
 The cocoons of the Arrindy silkworm are always 
 spun wet, but in cold water ; the silk must also be 
 washed in cold water ; for, if put into hot water, 
 it tears like old rotten cloth. 
 
136 
 
 CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILK- 
 WORMS. 
 
 Having given an account of the East Indian 
 silkworms, we again revert to the more interesting 
 and valuable species, the Common Silkworm, or 
 P/ialwna Mori, described in our second volume. 
 
 In the districts of the Chinese empire most con- 
 genial to the habits of silkworms, they remain 
 quite free, feeding at will upon the leaves of the 
 mulberry-trees, and undergoing their various meta- 
 morphoses without the aid of man. They are left 
 quite unmolested until the cocoons are formed, 
 when they are immediately appropriated by man, 
 most of the Aurelia within them are destroyed, 
 and the silk wound off them. 
 
 It has, however, been found, that silk made in 
 this natural condition is not equal in quality and 
 fineness to that produced by the worms which 
 are sheltered and protected by the fostering hand 
 of man. The Chinese have reached high perfec- 
 tion in the rearing and tendence of silkworms. 
 One of the greatest difficulties with which they 
 have to contend, is preventing the premature exclu- 
 sion of the caterpillar from the eggs, to which they 
 
CHINESE MODE OF BEARING SILKWORMS. 137 
 
 are extremely subject, owing to the dry and hot 
 nature of the climate. This is effected by getting 
 the moths to deposit their eggs on large sheets of 
 paper, which are taken immediately after being 
 extruded, and hung upon a beam of one of the 
 rooms, while the windows are all thrown open, to 
 expose them to the free circulation of the air. They 
 are taken down, rolled up, with the eggs inside, 
 and each separate sheet of paper is hung up for the 
 summer and autumn. Towards the close of the 
 season they are again taken down, and subjected to 
 an immersion in cold water, in which a small 
 quantity of salt has been dissolved. Here they are 
 left two days, when they are taken out, dried, and 
 rolled up more tightly than before, and each sheet 
 of paper put into a distinct earthen pot. Some are 
 in the habit of using a ley composed of the ashes of 
 mulberry-trees, and subject the eggs to the cooling 
 influence of snow water, or expose them on trees to 
 snow and rain. 
 
 The object of all this is to prevent the exclusion 
 of the caterpillar, till the leaves of the mulberry- 
 tree have expanded. No sooner is this the case 
 than the rolls of paper are taken from the vessels, 
 and hung up in the sun's rays, the eggs being 
 turned from them, but which are, however, trans- 
 mitted to them through the paper. Every night the 
 sheets of paper are rolled up, and deposited in a 
 
 vol. in. K 
 
138 CHINESE MODE OF REA1UNO SILKWORMS. 
 
 warm and dry place. Next day a repetition of the 
 same process is adopted, and then the eggs become 
 of a pale gray colour. After being a third day 
 subjected to the same mode of treatment, they as- 
 sume a much darker hue, approaching nearly to 
 black ; and on the next morning, when the paper 
 is spread out, the larva are found to have burst 
 from their confinement in the eggs, and are found 
 moving about in a vivacious manner. 
 
 The Chinese have recourse to ovens for the si- 
 multaneous hatching the eggs of silkworms in the 
 higher latitudes of that country ; and the strictest 
 attention is paid in preserving their receptacles for 
 the worms, in high and dry situations ; and every 
 means is adopted to preserve the purity of the 
 atmosphere, and the rooms are at the same time 
 made quite air-tight. While the worms are yet 
 young, they are very particular in preventing their 
 being disturbed by noise ; but this we believe to 
 be an absurd fancy. The doors of the rooms in 
 which the worms are kept, are always open to the 
 south. The worms are fed on hurdles, which are 
 placed in frames, ranged in tiers, eight or ten 
 deep, above each other. Great attention is paid to 
 the uniform temperature of the rooms ; and this 
 is effected either by carrying chafing dishes or 
 stoves through the apartments, or by the use of 
 stoves. Smoke and flame are carefully guarded 
 against, and the contents of a cow-house are care- 
 
CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. 13J) 
 
 fully dried in the sun, and used by this people in 
 preference to every other kind of fuel. 
 
 Those practised in the rearing of silkworms say, 
 that the sooner they can be brought to a state of 
 maturity the better ; and that the quantity of silk 
 which they produce is more or less as they are able 
 to effect this. It is considered that the worms are 
 most productive when they are fully fed, in from 
 twenty to twenty-five days ; in which case that 
 each drachm weight of eggs will eventually produce 
 about twenty -five ounces of silk ; and that, if their 
 maturity is protracted till the twenty-eighth day, 
 that only twenty-one ounces are produced by the 
 same quantity of eggs ; and if they are not full fed 
 before the lapse of thirty or forty days, that not 
 more than ten ounces of silk will be the produce of 
 the above quantity of eggs. 
 
 The Chinese say that much depends upon the 
 mode of feeding, in promoting or retarding the 
 growth of silkworms. To ascertain this, we tried 
 an experiment in the summer of 1833, on some 
 caterpillars of the Cabbage Butterfly {Pontia Bros. 
 sine,) the Papilio Brassicce, volume first, page 186', 
 which had been newly hatched. These we divided, 
 and placed in two separate tumblers, and put them 
 upon cabbage leaves. We supplied the larva in one 
 of the tumblers plentifully twice a-day with fresh 
 cabbage leaves, while those in the other tumbler 
 had but a scanty supply, and even allowing them 
 
110 CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. 
 
 to be sometimes entirely without food. At the 
 end of a week, those which had been well fed had 
 acquired about a third more in bulk than them that 
 were kept on short allowance. About the twelfth 
 day we had carried our starving system so far, that 
 we had forgot to put leaves to them for nearly 
 twelve hours, after they had been completely ex- 
 hausted ; and next morning we found most of the 
 caterpillars adhering to the sides of the tumbler, by 
 very fine silky filaments. We were apprehensive, 
 that, having not been long enough fed, that they 
 might die in place of transforming into the chrysalis, 
 and loosened them all from the sides of the tumbler, 
 and gave them a fresh supply of leaves, which, in 
 a few minutes, they began to devour very greedily. 
 Next day, while in the act of supplying them with 
 leaves, we found one of the larvoe again adhering 
 by filaments to the piece of paper with which the 
 tumbler was covered, and determined to leave it 
 undisturbed. It continued in this state for upwards 
 of a day ; and when we next examined it we found 
 that it had changed into the chrysalis condition, but 
 was of a very small size, and had a thin transparent 
 appearance. The caterpillars which had been pro- 
 perly supplied with food now refrained from eating, 
 and prepared for transforming into chrysalides. 
 Those which had been starved still continued to 
 eat, and were much less in size — a little more than 
 a fourth. When the full fed larvse had all changed, 
 
CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. 141 
 
 we gave a plentiful supply of leaves, morning and 
 evening, and in the course of four days several of 
 them grew considerably, and prepared for their 
 transformation, and in seven days all of them had 
 assumed the pupa state. The whole of them in 
 due time burst from their pupa form, and became 
 perfect insects, except the one which had first be- 
 come a pupa. On opening it, we found it entirely 
 empty ; all its vital parts having been completely 
 dried up and absorbed. We carefully examined 
 the various butterflies, but could perceive no differ- 
 ence in the size of those which had been ill fed, 
 and those which had revelled in abundance. 
 
 From the above experiment, we proved that the 
 period of transformation between the larva and pupa 
 condition can be protracted. 
 
 In China very rigid attention is given to the cat- 
 erpillars in the early stage of their existence, and 
 they are fed by night as well as by day. The day 
 on which they are hatched they are supplied with 
 forty meals, thirty on the second day, and reduced 
 by certain proportions for some days thereafter, till 
 they come to twice a-day. When hazy or damp 
 weather occurs during the feeding season, the appe- 
 tites of the caterpillars are considerably affected by 
 this change of the atmosphere. Those who tend 
 them bum straw over the worms, which dries the 
 air, warms it, and stimulates them to feed freely. 
 
 Cleanliness is considered of vital importance to 
 
J 12 CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. 
 
 the health and vigour of silkworm caterpillars ; and 
 next to this is plenty of free room for them to move 
 about, the space being extended as they increase in 
 size. 
 
 " When the insects are about to commence their 
 spinning, mats are provided, in the centre of which 
 a strip of rush, about an inch broad, is fixed, and 
 extended in a spiral form, or in concentric circles, 
 over the whole surface of the mat, having an area 
 of about an inch broad between each circle. Here 
 the worms fix themselves to spin ; and it is found 
 that these receptacles occasion less silk to be wasted 
 by them in floss, than where more space is allotted 
 wherein their first threads can be spun. At this 
 time the whole room is carefully covered with mats, 
 to exclude the outward air and the light, as it is 
 believed that silkworms work more diligently in 
 darkness." '"' This last idea, we have no doubt, is 
 a vulgar error, for we should conceive the contrary 
 to be the truth ; and, indeed, closing up the rooms 
 must have the effect of preventing the free circula- 
 tion of air, and consequently of injuring the health 
 of the caterpillars. Indeed Count Dandolo found, 
 by strict observation, that this practice had a most 
 pernicious effect. The Count says, that on visiting 
 apartments where silkworms were reared, that on 
 the side where the sun shone directly on the hurdles 
 
 * Cahinet Library, Silk Mttmtfacture. p. 136. 
 
CHINESE MODE OF REARING SILKWORMS. l<k< 
 
 wherein the caterpillars were kept, they were more 
 numerous and stronger than where the edges of the 
 hurdles were under the shade. 
 
 The worms take seven days to complete the 
 cocoons, at which time they are collected into heaps, 
 and those intended for continuing the breed, are 
 selected and placed on hurdles in a dry and airy 
 situation. " The next care is to destroy the chry- 
 salides in those balls which are to be reeled. The 
 most approved method of performing this, is to fill 
 large earthen vessels with cocoons, in layers, throw- 
 ing in one-fortieth part of their weight of salt upon 
 each layer, covering the whole with large dry leaves 
 resembling those of the water-lily, and then closely 
 stopping the mouths of the vessels. In reeling their 
 silk, the Chinese separate the thick and dark from 
 the long and glittering white cocoons, as the produce 
 is inferior." * 
 
 * Cabinet Library, Silk Manufacture, p. 126. 
 
144. 
 
 INDIAN METHOD OF TREATMENT. 
 
 So favourable is the climate of India to the con- 
 stitution of the Phalmna Mori, or Common Silk- 
 worm, that they are reared in sheds, and not in 
 houses as in China. They are constructed of lattice- 
 work, with thatched roofs. They are generally 
 fifteen feet broad, and their height from eight to 
 nine feet, and length according to the number of 
 worms to be reared. In the centre of the building, 
 a path of convenient width is left for the free pas- 
 sage of those who tend them. On each side of this 
 passage are erected twelve tiers of frame-work, 
 made of bamboo, in the form of shallow boxes. In 
 these the caterpillars are placed ; and when they 
 are fed their full time, and ready to spin their 
 cocoons, they are separated, each into a cell formed 
 of plaited stripes of bamboo ; and when their cocoon 
 is completed, they are subjected to nearly the same 
 mode of treatment as in China. 
 
145 
 
 DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 
 
 In European climates the caterpillars of the silk- 
 worm are liable to many diseases, probably the con- 
 sequence of inexperience in their mode of treatment. 
 
 In France and Italy it has long been a common 
 practice to give a certain quantity of silkworms to 
 the peasantry to be reared, and in such hands, as 
 might have been expected, the successful cultivation 
 of these was long but imperfectly known ; and it 
 was not till the patriotic exertions of Count Dandolo, 
 that distinct and settled notions were thought of for 
 improving the rearing, and preserving, in a healthy 
 condition, this most valuable of all insects. He 
 diligently studied the habits of the silkworm in its 
 various metamorphoses, and immediately made 
 known every discovery he had made, either by his 
 writings or by giving personal instructions to those 
 concerned in the propagation of the worms. He 
 published an enlightened treatise on the subject, 
 which soon led to the formation of large establish- 
 ments in Lombardy . These were named Danc/olicres, 
 in honour of this patriotic nobleman. 
 
 Damp stagnant air, and the presence of carbonic 
 acid gas, appears to be one of the proximate causes 
 
146 DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 
 
 of disease in silkworms ; but of these damp seems to 
 be the most prejudicial, as will be seen by the fol- 
 lowing experiments : — " If a silkworm/' says Dr 
 Lardner, " is introduced into a receiver charged 
 with carbonic acid gas, and in which a bird would 
 instantly die, although the worm quickly exhibits 
 signs of uneasiness and suffering, it will live for ten, 
 fifteen, or perhaps twenty minutes. No warm- 
 blooded animal could continue alive in such an at- 
 mosphere for half that time. If, after remaining a 
 few minutes, the worm be withdrawn from the re- 
 ceiver, it will not exhibit any sign of injury, but 
 will be apparently as healthy as before inhaling 
 this pernicious gas. The silkworm appears endued 
 with the power to seize upon the minutest portion 
 of vital air which may be held by water, as it will 
 live for some minutes immersed in this fluid, par- 
 ticularly in its first ages ; and, even when seemingly 
 dead, it will revive if taken out. It would seem, 
 however, that when its power of breathing is ob- 
 structed, the worm instantly dies. If, instead of 
 plunging it in carbonic acid gas, or in water, its 
 eighteen breathing holes are sealed up with grease, 
 it expires instantaneously. 
 
 " If a healthy silkworm be confined in a vessel, 
 the air in which is charged with moisture, and 
 heated to the temperature of 80° to 90°, it will 
 very soon exhibit symptoms of indisposition, and 
 reject food ; the skin will slacken, and the muscles 
 
DISEASES OP SILKWORMS. 147 
 
 soften, and contraction cease. In a short time 
 evaporation will be obstructed, the secretions in- 
 dispensable to vitality, which are effected in this 
 animal by means of contraction,* will be suspended, 
 and erelong it will perish. A warm-blooded ani- 
 mal, on the contrary, if sufficiently supplied with 
 pure air, can live without any suffering, and per- 
 form all its functions without inconvenience, in such 
 a temperature, whatever be the attendant degree 
 of moisture. This proves how different is the 
 structure of these two classes of animals." 
 
 Silkworms are said to be extremely sensible of 
 certain odours, and to be easily affected by them. 
 Tobacco has been ascertained to be a deadly poison to 
 silkworms. If a few grainsof snuff is thrown on them, 
 immediate pain seems to be felt, from the writhing 
 of the animal ; in about a minute convulsions will 
 ensue, and death speedily follows. Before the cat- 
 erpillar expires, it ejects from its mouth a watery 
 liquid ; and should another larvae be touched with 
 this fluid, it is certain to prove fatal. 
 
 There is a disease to which silkworms are very 
 liable in the south of France, which is called the 
 jaundice, from the yellow colour exhibited by the 
 animal while labouring under the malady. This 
 
 • The skin of the silkworm has so great a. power of contrae- 
 tion, that, on hcinj cut through, it shrinks in the manner of an 
 elastic substance that has hecn drawn out. 
 
148 DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 
 
 distemper is of a very contagious nature, and, con- 
 sequently, as soon as it is perceived that a worm 
 has been attacked by the disease, it is immediately 
 removed from among others. An effectual preven- 
 tive, invented by Abbe Eperic of Carpentras, has 
 been in use for upwards of twenty years past. 
 Quick lime is reduced to a fine powder, and the 
 worms are dusted with it, and they are then 
 supplied with mulberry leaves moistened with a 
 few drops of wine, which they greedily devour. 
 It has been found that all which are subjected to 
 this treatment escape the malady. It would appear 
 that the disease has its origin in mephitic vapours, 
 arising from decayed leaves, and that the lime, 
 which has a strong affinity for these gases, may 
 absorb the vapour, and thus render the apartment 
 healthy and pure ; which is most satisfactorily 
 proved by the experiments of Mons. Blanchard, 
 which we shall give in his own words. He says, 
 " Having procured four glass jars, nine inches in 
 depth and five in diameter, and had cork stoppers 
 fitted to them. In each of these I put twelve silk- 
 worms at the period of their second age ; and these 
 I had fed four times a-day, and confined them in 
 this kind of prison during their lives, and never 
 either removed their dead companions or the litter 
 produced by them. I sprinkled the worms which 
 were contained in two of these jars with lime, and 
 kept the other two in their ordinary state to com- 
 
DISEASES OF SILKWORMS. 14f) 
 
 pare with them. Those without lime never pro- 
 duced more than three small and imperfect cocoons, 
 while in those which were sprinkled with lime, I 
 had very often twelve, and never fewer than nine 
 full-sized cocoons." He found that even a large 
 proportion of lime had no bad effect on the worms. 
 The method which Count Dandolo practised, was 
 the fumigation of the apartments with chlorine gas, 
 although this is attended with danger. Chlorade 
 of lime, however, is less hazardous, and produces 
 equally beneficial effects in clearing apartments of 
 noxious vapours. 
 
ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF 
 SILK. 
 
 The rich yellow colouring matter which tinges 
 all silk, more or less in its raw state, is in combi. 
 nation with [the gum. Immersing the cocoons in 
 hot water will dissolve, to a certain extent, this 
 gum, and leave a yellow tinge in the water. But 
 the use of alcohol instead of water, will dissolve 
 this matter in greater quantity. This tincture will 
 retain its colour with little loss of intensity, even 
 after being long exposed to the rays of the sun. 
 The fact of this affinity of the colouring matter of silk 
 for alcohol, suggested to Mons. Baume the idea of 
 bleaching silk in the following manner. 
 
 He constructed a twelve gallon stoneware vessel, 
 of a form nearly conical, with a wide opening at 
 the top, and a smaller one, of about an inch in 
 diameter, at the bottom, which was stopped by a 
 cork ; through the centre of which was passed a 
 glass tube, of a quarter of an inch diameter. This 
 tube was always stopped by a cork, except at the 
 time wken the liquid required to be drawn off. 
 The inside of the vessel was polished very smooth 
 with pumice-stone, to prevent the roughness from 
 breaking the threads in their first state. 
 
ON THE CHEMICAL PItOrEKTIES OP SILK. 151 
 
 In this vessel were placed six pound weight of 
 yellow raw silk, over which he poured a composi- 
 tion, consisting of a mixture of forty-eight pounds 
 of alcohol (whose specific gravity was 0.8(>7), with 
 twelve ounces of muriatic acid in its purest state, 
 (of the specific gravity of 1.1 14.) The vessel was 
 then closed tightly up, and the contents left to 
 digest, until the liquor became of a dusky brown 
 colour ; which operation usually required about 
 twenty-four hours. This liquor was then drawn 
 oft' by means of the glass tube, and spirit of wine 
 was constantly poured into the vessel, while the 
 tube was left unstopped, till the liquor passed off 
 perfectly clear, and totally free from colour. The 
 silk was then allowed to drain, until it ceased to 
 drop. Spirit of wine and muriatic acid of the same 
 proportions were again poured on it, and the silk 
 allowed to continue immersed for forty-eight hours ; 
 by which time it had parted with all its colouring 
 matter, and had assumed a brilliant white. 
 
 With respect to the exact time required for the 
 immersion of the silk in the alcohol and muriatic 
 acid, much will depend on the original colour of the 
 silk, and also the temperature; and M. Baume 
 ascertained, that the silk wound from those cocoons 
 which had not been previously baked, to destroy the 
 aurelise, was much more easily bleached ; and that, 
 on the second immersion, the liquor, when drawn 
 off, was of a much paler hue, and so slightly was 
 
152 ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 its chemical properties changed, that by the addi- 
 tion of half the original portion of muriatic acid, 
 the liquid might be employed for a first immersion 
 of the raw silk. 
 
 The bleaching operation was completed by pour- 
 ing upon the silk forty-eight pounds of pure spirit 
 of wine, which was allowed to remain from twenty- 
 four to thirty hours on the silk. There is great 
 difficulty in freeing the muriatic acid from the silk, 
 which can only be effectually done by subjecting it 
 to a continued stream of running water for some 
 hours.* 
 
 In England a different process is pursued, which 
 is by immersing the silk in a solution of soap in 
 river water, while it is kept at the boiling point for 
 two or three hours; when it is taken out, well 
 beaten either with a machine constructed for the 
 purpose, or with a wooden mallet, and afterwards 
 washed in river water. It is then wrung, and 
 again immersed in soap and water, in a cold state, 
 with the addition of a small portion of indigo, and 
 brought to the boiling point ; at which it is allowed 
 to continue for a short time. It is then taken out, 
 wrung, and shaken ; and dried in a stove construct- 
 ed for the purpose, over the fumes of burning 
 sulphur, which render it of the most beautiful 
 whiteness. 
 
 * Sco Ure's Diet, of Chemistry, article Bleaching, for a 
 more full detail of this process. 
 
ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OK SILK. [.',:; 
 
 Nitric acid has a strong influence upon silk ; and, 
 if mixed with alcohol, changes silk to a permanent 
 bright golden yellow colour. The same acid, when 
 concentrated and distilled off silk, yields by evapo- 
 ration oxalic acid ; and if the evaporation is still 
 farther continued, the same acid, together with a 
 quantity of yellow octohedron-sided truncated crys- 
 tals are obtained. These are free from an acid 
 taste, but of a strong bitter, and if applied to the 
 skin leaves a deep yellow stain. When the re- 
 maining liquor is saturated with potash, and eva- 
 porated, the residue is a rather yellow salt, which 
 detonates when placed on live coals, like nitre. 
 Chemists suppose this to be a treble combination of 
 the bitter principle above mentioned, together with 
 nitrate of potash. 
 
 Silk is dissolved and corroded by the caustic 
 alkalis ; and chlorine renders it yellow. It 
 yields a greater quantity of volatile alkali than 
 almost any other substance. It was found by 
 Tournefort to contain even more than hartshorn, as 
 he obtained from fifteen ounces of silk two drachms 
 of volatile salt. This preparation was at one 
 time in high repute in England as a medicine ; 
 and was called English Drops, or " Gutt* Angli- 
 canoe." The cocoons of silk were reduced into a 
 powder by Pomet, and used as a medicine. In his 
 History of Drugs he says, that silk thus prepared had 
 
154 ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 " the virtues of cleansing the blood, making the 
 spirits brisk, and the heart pleasant." 
 
 It is said, that if a thin silk veil is worn in 
 countries where malaria is generated, that it will 
 have the effect of counteracting its noxious qua- 
 lities. 
 
 The water in which cocoons are immersed prepa- 
 ratory to reeling, acquires such a strong lathery 
 consistence, that air-bells may be made with it, 
 which are so flexible and strong that they have been 
 known to remain without bursting for upwards of 
 twenty-four hours. These bells exhibit the pris- 
 matic colours in as high a degree as those formed of 
 soap-suds. 
 
 Count Rumford observed, that raw silk has a 
 remarkable power of producing pure air from water. 
 He found that, by introducing thirty grains of this 
 substance, fast washed in water, into a thin glass 
 globe, four inches and a half in diameter, having a 
 cylindrical neck three-fourths of an inch wide, and 
 twelve inches long, inverting the globe in a jar 
 filled with water, and exposing it to the action of 
 the sun in the window ; in less than ten minutes 
 the silk became covered with an infinite number of 
 air-bubbles, gradually increasing in size, till, at the 
 end of two hours, the silk was buoyed up by their 
 means to the top of the water. They separated 
 themselves by degrees, and formed a collection of 
 
ON THE CHESIICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 155 
 
 air in the upper part of the globe, which, when 
 examined by the established test, appeared to be 
 very pure. In three days he collected three and 
 three quarters of a cubic inch of pure air, into which 
 a wax taper being introduced, that had just before 
 been blown out, the wick only remaining red, it 
 instantly took fire, and burned with a bright and 
 large flame. The water in the globe had acquired 
 the smell of raw silk ; it lost something of its trans- 
 parency, and assumed a faint greenish cast. 
 
 It was observed, that when this experiment was 
 made in the dark, only a few inconsiderable bubbles 
 were formed, which remained attached to the silk ; 
 nor was it otherwise when the glass globe was re- 
 moved into a German stove. In the latter case, 
 indeed, some single bubbles had detached themselves 
 from the silk, and ascended to the top, but the air 
 was in too small a quantity to be either measured 
 or proved. 
 
 Dr Lardner says, " The imperishable nature of 
 silk, even under circumstances peculiarly unfavour- 
 able to the preservation of animal substances, forms 
 another of its qualities which is deserving of re- 
 mark. Some years ago, the sexton of the parish of 
 Falkirk, in Stirlingshire, upon opening a grave in 
 the churchyard, found a riband about the bone of 
 an arm, and which, being washed, was fuund to be 
 entire, and to have suffered no injury, although it 
 
!,)(> ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 had lain for more than eight years in the earth, 
 and had been in contact with a body which had 
 passed through every stage of putrefaction, until it 
 was reduced to its kindred dust." 
 
157 
 
 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 Tub distinction between those bodies which are 
 capable of being excited to electricity, and those 
 which are only capable of receiving it from the 
 others, appears scarcely to have been even sus- 
 pected till about the year 1729, when this great 
 discovery was made by Mr Gray, a pensioner in 
 the Charter-House. After some fruitless attempts 
 to make metals attractive by heating, rubbing, and 
 hammering, he conceived a suspicion, that, as a 
 glass tube, when rubbed in the dark, communi- 
 cated its light to various bodies, it might possibly, 
 at the same time, communicate its power of at- 
 tracting to them. In order to put this to the 
 test, he provided himself with a tube three feet 
 five inches long, and near an inch and one-fifth in 
 diameter ; the ends of the tube were stopped by 
 cork ; and he found that, when the tube was ex- 
 cited, a down feather was attracted as powerfully 
 by the cork as by the tube itself. To convince 
 himself more completely, he procured a small ivory 
 ball, which he fixed at first to a stick of fir, four 
 inches long, which was thrust into the cork, and 
 found that it attracted and repelled the feather even 
 
168 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 with more vigour than the cork itself. He after- 
 wards fixed the ball upon long sticks, and upon 
 pieces of brass and iron wire, with the same suc- 
 cess ; and lastly attached it to a long piece of pack- 
 thread, and hung it from a high balcony, in which 
 state he found that, by rubbing the tube, the ball 
 was constantly enabled to attract light bodies in 
 the court below. 
 
 His next attempt was to prove whether this 
 power could be conveyed horizontally as well as 
 perpendicularly. With this view, he fixed a cord 
 to a nail which was in one of the beams of the 
 ceiling ; and making a loop at that end which hung 
 down, he inserted his packthread, with the ball 
 which was at the end of it through the loop of the 
 cord, and retired with the tube to the other end of 
 the room ; but in this state he found that the ball 
 had totally lost the power of attraction. Upon 
 mentioning his disappointed efforts to a friend, it 
 was suggested that the cord, which he had used to 
 support his packthread, might be so coarse as to 
 intercept the electric power ; and they accordingly 
 attempted to remedy this evil by employing a silk 
 string, which was much stronger in proportion than 
 a hempen cord. With this apparatus the experi- 
 ment succeeded far beyond their expectations. 
 Encouraged by this success, and attributing it 
 wholly to the fineness of the silk, they proceeded 
 to support the packthread, to which the ball was 
 
ELECTRICAL 1'IIOPEIITIES OF SILK. 1 .)<) 
 
 attached by very fine brass and iron wire, but, to 
 their utter astonishment, found the effect exactly 
 the same as when they used the hempen cord ; the 
 electrical virtue utterly passed away ; while, on the 
 other hand, when the packthread was supported by 
 a silken cord, they were able to convey the electric 
 virtue seven hundred and sixty-five feet. 
 
 It was evident, therefore, that these effects de- 
 pended upon some peculiar quality in the silk, 
 which disabled it from conducting away the elec- 
 trical power, as the hempen cord and the wire had 
 done. 
 
 The accidental discovery of Mr Gray led to 
 the knowledge of the non-conducting powers of 
 various other substances ; and since the nature 
 of electricity has been more deeply investigated, 
 the true electric properties of most substances have 
 become known, and are now divided into elec- 
 trics and non-electrics. The following substances 
 are among the principal conductors of the electric 
 fluid ; namely, stony substances in general, more 
 especially those of a calcareous nature, such as lime, 
 marble, &c., sulphuric acid, black pyrites, black 
 lead, alum, charcoal, all the metallic ores, the ani- 
 mal fluids, and all other fluids excepting air and 
 oils. 
 
 The electric bodies are those substances which, 
 when excited, collect or omit this fluid, such as 
 amber, sulphur, jet, glass, and all precious crystal- 
 
160 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 lized stones, all resinous compounds, and all dry 
 substances, such as silk, hair, wool, paper, &c. 
 
 Silk was first discovered to be an electric by Mi- 
 Gray, in the manner we have already related ; but 
 as it was by no means remarkable for emitting 
 sparks, which most commonly engages the atten- 
 tion, its electric virtues were almost entirely over- 
 looked till the year 1759. At that time Mr 
 Symmer presented to the Royal Society some pa- 
 pers, containing a number of very curious experi- 
 ments made with silk stockings, in substance as 
 follows.: — 
 
 He had been accustomed to wear two pairs of 
 silk stockings, a black and a white. When these 
 were put off both together, no signs of electricity 
 appeared ; but on pulling off the black ones from 
 the white, he heard a snapping or crackling noise, 
 and in the dark perceived sparks of fire between 
 them. To produce this and the following appear- 
 ances in great perfection, it was only necessary to 
 draw his hand several times backward and forward 
 over his leg with his stockings upon it. 
 
 When the stockings were separated, and held at 
 a distance from each other, both of them appeared 
 to be highly excited ; the white stocking positively, 
 and the black negatively. While they were kept 
 at a distance from each other, both of them appeared 
 inflated, to such a degree, that they exhibited the 
 entire shape of the leg. When two black or two 
 
ELECTHICAI, I'HOPEnTIE| OP SILK. l6l 
 
 white stockings were held in one hand, they would 
 repel one another with considerable force, making 
 an angle seemingly of thirty or thirty-five degrees. 
 When a white and black stocking were presented 
 to each other, they were mutually attracted ; and, 
 if permitted, would rush together with surprising 
 violence. As they approached, the inflation gra- 
 dually subsided, and their attraction of foreign 
 objects diminished, but their attraction of one an- 
 other increased ; when they actually met, they be- 
 came flat, and joined close together like as many 
 folds of silk. When separated again, their electric 
 virtue did not seem to be in the least impaired for 
 having once met ; and the same appearances would 
 be exhibited by them for a considerable time. When 
 the experiment was made with two black stockings 
 in one hand, and two white ones in the other, they 
 were thrown into a strange agitation, owing to the 
 attraction between those of different colours, and 
 the repulsion between those of the same colour. 
 This mixture of attractions and repulsions made 
 the stockings catch at each other at greater distances 
 than otherwise they would have done, and afforded 
 a very curious spectacle. 
 
 When the stockings were suffered to meet, they 
 stuck together with considerable force. At first Mr 
 Symmer found they required from one to twelve 
 ounces to separate them. Another time they raised 
 seventeen ounces, which was twenty times the 
 
162 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 weight of the stocking that supported them, and 
 this in a direction parallel to its surface. When 
 one of the stockings was turned inside out, and put 
 within the other, it required twenty ounces to se- 
 parate them ; though at that time ten ounces were 
 sufficient when applied externally. Getting the 
 black stockings new died, and the white ones 
 washed, and whitened in the fumes of sulphur, and 
 then putting them one within the other, with the 
 rough sides together, it required three pounds 
 three ounces to separate them. With stockings of 
 a more substantial make, the cohesion was still 
 greater. When the white stocking was put within 
 the black one, so that the outside of the white was 
 contiguous to the inside of the black, they raised 
 nine pounds, wanting a few ounces ; and when the 
 two rough surfaces were contiguous, they raised 
 fifteen pounds one pennyweight and a half. Cut- 
 ting off the ends of the thread, and the tufts of silk 
 which had been left in the inside of the stockings, 
 was found to be very unfavourable to these experi- 
 ments. 
 
 Mr Symmer also observed, that pieces of white 
 and black silk, when highly electrified, not only 
 cohered with each other, but would also adhere to 
 bodies with broad and even polished surfaces, 
 though these bodies were not electrified. This he 
 discovered accidentally ; having, without design, 
 thrown a stocking out of his hand, which stuck to 
 
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES J)P SILK. l6'.i 
 
 the paper-hangings of the room. He repeated the 
 experiment, and found it would continue hanging 
 near an hour. Having stuck up the hlack and 
 white stockings in this manner, he came with an- 
 other pair highly electrified ; and applying the 
 white to the black, and the black to the white, he 
 carried them off from the wall, each of them hang- 
 ing to that which had been brought to it. The 
 same experiments held with the painted boards of 
 the room, and likewise with the looking-glass, to 
 the smooth surface of which both the white and the 
 black silk appeared to adhere more tenaciously than 
 to either of the former. 
 
 Similar experiments, but with a greater variety 
 of circumstances, were afterwards made by Mr 
 Cigna of Turin, upon white and black ribands. 
 He took two white silk ribands just dried at the fire, 
 and extended them upon a smooth plane, whether 
 a conducting or electric substance was a matter of 
 indifference. He then drew over them the sharp 
 edge of an ivory ruler, and found that both ribands 
 had acquired electricity enough to adhere to the 
 plane ; though, while they continued there, they 
 showed no other sign of it. When taken up sepa- 
 rately, they were both negatively electrified, and 
 would repel each other. In their separation, electric 
 sparks were perceived between them ; but when 
 again put on the plane, or forced together, no light 
 was perceived without another friction. When, by 
 
H)4 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OK SILK. 
 
 the operation just now mentioned, they had ac- 
 quired the negative electricity, if they were placed, 
 not upon the smooth body on which they had been 
 rubbed, but on a rough conducting substance, they 
 would, on their separation, show contrary electrici- 
 ties, which would again disappear on their being join- 
 ed together. If they had been made to repel each 
 other, and were afterwards forced together, and 
 placed on the rough surface above mentioned, they 
 would in a few minutes be mutually attracted ; 
 the lowermost being positively, and the uppermost 
 negatively electrified. 
 
 If the two white ribands received their friction 
 upon the rough surface, they always acquired con- 
 trary electricities. The upper one was negatively, 
 and the lower one positively electrified, in what- 
 ever manner they were taken off. The same change 
 was instantaneously done by any pointed conductor. 
 If two ribands, for instance, were made to repel, 
 and the point of a needle drawn opposite to one of 
 them along its whole length, they would imme- 
 diately rush together. 
 
 The same means which produced a change of 
 electricity in a riband already electrified, would 
 communicate electricity to one which had not as yet 
 received it, viz. laying the unelectrified riband up- 
 on a rough surface, and putting the other upon it, 
 or by holding it parallel to an electrified riband, 
 and presenting a pointed conductor to it. He 
 
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OP SILK. !()'.") 
 
 placed a riband that was not quite dry under an- 
 other that was well dried at the fire, upon a smooth 
 plain ; and when he had given them the usual 
 friction with his ruler, he found that, in what 
 manner soever they were removed from the plane, 
 the upper one was negatively, and the lower one 
 positively electrified. — If both ribands were black, 
 all these experiments succeeded in the same man- 
 ner as with the white. If, instead of the ivory 
 ruler, he made use of any skin, or a piece of smooth 
 glass, the event was the same ; but if he made use 
 of a stick of sulphur, the electricities were in all 
 cases the reverse of what they had been before the 
 ribands were rubbed, having always acquired the 
 positive electricity. When he rubbed them with 
 paper, either gilt or not gilt, the results were un- 
 certain. When the ribands were wrapped in paper, 
 gilt or not gilt, and the friction was made upon the 
 paper laid on the plane above mentioned, the rib- 
 ands acquired both of them the negative electricity. 
 If the ribands were one black and the other white, 
 whichever of them was laid uppermost, and in 
 whatever manner the friction was made, the black 
 generally acquired the negative, and the white tin 
 positive electricity. 
 
 He also observed, that when the texture of the 
 upper piece of silk was loose, yielding, and retiform, 
 like that of a stocking, so that it could move and 
 be rubbed against the lower one, and the rubber 
 
lG6 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. ' 
 
 was of such a nature as could communicate but 
 little electricity to glass, the electricity which the 
 upper piece of silk acquired did not depend upon 
 the rubber, but upon the body on which it was 
 laid. In this case, the black was always negative 
 and the white positive. But when the silk was 
 hard, rigid, and of a close texture, and the rubber 
 of such a nature as would have imparted a great 
 degree of electricity to glass, the electricity of the 
 upper piece depended on the rubber. Thus, a 
 white silk stocking, rubbed with gilt paper upon 
 glass, became negatively, and the glass positively 
 electrified. But if a piece of silk of a firmer tex- 
 ture was laid upon a plate of glass, it was always 
 electrified positively, and the glass negatively, if it 
 was rubbed with sulphur, and for the most part if 
 it was rubbed with gilt paper. 
 
 If an electrified riband was brought near an 
 insulated plate of lead, it was attracted, but very 
 feebly. On bringing the finger near the lead, a 
 spark was observed between them, the riband was 
 vigorously attracted, and both together showed no 
 signs of electricity. On the separation of the riband, 
 they were again electrified, and a spark was per- 
 ceived between the plate and the finger. 
 
 When a number of ribands of the same colour 
 were laid upon a smooth conducting substance, and 
 the ruler was drawn over them, he found, that 
 when they were taken up singly, each of them gave 
 
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 167 
 
 sparks at the place where it was separated from the 
 other, as did also the last one with the conductor ; 
 and all of them were negatively electrified. If 
 they were all taken from the plate together, they 
 cohered in one mass, which was negatively electri- 
 fied on both sides. If they were laid upon the 
 rough conductor, and then separated singly, begin- 
 ning with the lowermost, sparks appeared as before, 
 but all the ribands were electrified positively, 
 except the uppermost. — If they received the friction 
 upon the rough conductor, and were all taken up 
 at once, all the intermediate ribands acquired the 
 electricity, either of the highest or lowest, according 
 as the separation was begun with the highest or 
 the lowest. If two ribands were separated from 
 the bundle at the same time, they clung together, 
 and in that state showed no sign of electricity, as 
 one of them alone would have done. When they 
 were separated, the outermost one had acquired 
 an electricity opposite to that of the bundle, but 
 much weaker. 
 
 A number of ribands were placed upon a plate 
 of metal, to which electricity was communicated 
 by means of a glass globe, and a pointed conductor 
 held to the other side of the ribands. The conse- 
 quence was, that all of them became possessed of 
 the electricity opposite to that of the plate, or of 
 the same, according as they were taken off; except 
 
168 ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. 
 
 the most remote, which always kept an electricity 
 opposite to that of the plate. 
 
 The following experiments were performed by 
 Mr Nicholson, on an improved method of excita- 
 tion, as well as the action of points, and the direc- 
 tion of the fluid in positive and negative electricity. 
 
 1. A glass cylinder was mounted, and a cushion 
 applied with a silk flap, proceeding from the edge 
 of the cushion over its surface, and thence half 
 round the cylinder. The cylinder was then excited 
 by applying an amalgamed leather in the usual 
 manner. The electricity was received by a con- 
 ductor, and passed oft' in sparks to Lane's electro- 
 meter. By the frequency of these sparks, or by the 
 number of turns required to cause spontaneous ex- 
 plosion of a jar, the strength of the excitation was 
 ascertained. 
 
 2. The cushion was withdrawn about one inch 
 from the cylinder, and the excitation performed by 
 the silk only. A stream of fire was seen between 
 the cushion and the silk ; and much fewer sparks 
 passed between the balls of the electrometer. 
 
 3. A roll of dry silk was interposed, to prevent 
 the stream from passing between the cushion and 
 the silk. Very few sparks then appeared at the 
 electrometer. 
 
 4. A metallic rod, not insulated, was then inter- 
 posed instead of the roll of silk, so as not to touch 
 
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SILK. lfi;) 
 
 any part of the apparatus. A dense stream of 
 electricity appeared between the rod and the silk, 
 and the conductor gave veiy many sparks. 
 
 5. The knob of a jar being substituted in the 
 place of the metallic rod, it became charged nega- 
 tively. 
 
 6. The silk alone, with a piece of tinfoil applied 
 behind it, afforded much electricity, though less 
 than when the cushion was applied with a light 
 pressure. The hand being applied to the silk as a 
 cushion, produced a degree of excitation seldom 
 equalled by any other cushion. 
 
 7. The edge of the hand answered as well as the 
 palm. 
 
 8. When the excitation by a cushion was weak, 
 a line of light appeared at the anterior part of the 
 cushion, and the silk was strongly disposed to re- 
 ceive electricity from any uninsulated conductor. 
 These appearances did not obtain when the excita- 
 tion was by any means made very strong. 
 
 9- A thick silk, or two or more folds of silk, ex- 
 cited worse than a single very thin flap. The silk 
 used was that which the milliners call Persian. 
 
 1 0. When the silk was separated from the cylinder, 
 sparks passed between them ; the silk was found to 
 be in a weak negative, and the cylinder in a posi- 
 tive state. 
 
 The foregoing experiments show that the office 
 
170 ELECTRICAL PROrEltTlES OF SILK. 
 
 of the silk is not merely to prevent the return of 
 electricity from the cylinder to the cushion, but that 
 it is the chief agent in the excitation, while the 
 cushion serves only to supply the electricity, and 
 perhaps increase the pressure at the entering part. 
 There likewise seems to be little reason to doubt, 
 but that the disposition of the electricity to escape 
 from the surface of the cylinder, is not prevented 
 by the interposition of the silk, but by a compen- 
 sation after the manner of a charge ; the silk being 
 then as strongly negative as the cylinder is positive; 
 and lastly, that the line of light between the silk 
 and cushion in weak excitations, does not consist 
 of returning electricity, but of electricity which 
 passes to the cylinder, in consequence of its not 
 having been sufficiently supplied during its contact 
 with the rubbing surface. 
 
171 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS FACTS. 
 
 SOME MOTHS REJECTED BY BIRDS. 
 
 Mr Blyth mentions, in the Field Naturalist's 
 Magazine* a singular circumstance, which is quite 
 new to s us, namely, that the Magpie Moth {Abraxas 
 Gross ulariala) is rejected as food by various in- 
 sectiverous birds, but is unable to account for the 
 cause of this. " I have a nightingale," says he, 
 " which will readily take food from the hand, and 
 which, like all other insectiverous birds, is most 
 voraciously fond of lepidopterous insects in general; 
 but the Magpie Moth he constantly refuses, though 
 I have seen him swallow in succession three or four 
 of the Large Yellow Under-Wings, ( Triphcena.) 
 I once even kept my insect -eating birds without 
 food beyond their usual time, when I threw into 
 their cage a variety of common moths, amongst 
 which were three or four of the Abraxas Grossu- 
 lariata ; but the latter were even then rejected, 
 though the other various species were devoured 
 greedily. One, however, was swallowed by a 
 
 * Vol. i. p. 549. 
 
172 MISCELLANEOUS FACTS. 
 
 Whin-Chat (Saxkola Rubetra), but he did not 
 take a second ; and I noticed a Tree-Pipit {Antlms 
 Arboreus) take one of them in his mouth, which, 
 on tasting, he refused. The caterpillar, also, is 
 rejected by all these various birds. May not this 
 be a principal cause of the Magpie-Moth being one 
 of the most abundant species we have ?" 
 
 The same gentleman has made another interest- 
 ing discovery respecting the eyes of the Dark Arches 
 Moth. He says : — " A few weeks ago, on seeing 
 a remarkably fine specimen of the Dark Arches 
 Moth (Xylophasia polyodon), I caught it, and 
 placed it in a small box, which I happened to have 
 in my pocket. On my return home in the evening, 
 when it was almost dark, I gently lifted up the lid, 
 and was not a little amazed to perceive that the 
 moth's eyes had the power of converging the few 
 rays of light, shining in the dark like two little 
 stars, with considerable brilliancy. Ten minutes 
 afterwards, however, when I again looked at the 
 moth, I was surprised to find that its eyes were 
 not visible at all, showing that this faculty is de- 
 pendent on the will of the animal. I have since 
 examined a considerable number of moths, in va- 
 rious genera, but only in one instance have I again 
 had the satisfaction of beholding this beautiful 
 phenomenon. This was in a common Golden Tail, 
 (Porthesia chrysorrhaea ;) but the appearance was 
 not so bright as in the Xylop/iasia. It shows, 
 
MISCELLANEOUS FACTS. 17.'} 
 
 however, that moths, like many other nocturnal 
 animals, are endowed with this curious power, to 
 enable them to see their way clearly at a time 
 when the vision of diurnal creatures is of little or 
 no avail." * 
 
 Variety of tho Peacock Butterfly. 
 
 In the first edition of this work we gave the 
 above figure of the Peacock Butterfly, and described 
 its ordinary form, omitting to point out the peculiar- 
 ities of its conformation. 
 
 This specimen was captured near Oxford in 
 1828, and is a curiously shaped variety. The supe- 
 rior wings arc about a fourth larger than the inferior 
 ones, in proportion to those of the ordinary speci- 
 mens ; the whole insect being much more triangular 
 in its general form, and the indentations on the 
 margins of both upper and under wings considerably 
 
 * Field Naturalist's Magazine, vol. i. p. 550. 
 
174 MISCELLANEOUS FACTS. 
 
 more acute, than those which are to be found in the 
 same species generally. The difference here point- 
 ed out, will be rendered more obvious, by com- 
 paring it with the figure which we have substituted 
 for it, Plate II., page 120. 
 
 In the Field Naturalist's Magazine,vo\. i. p. 229, 
 there is a curious specimen of a butterfly figured, 
 whose wings are like those of opposite sexes. 
 
!73 
 
 MIGRATIONS OF PAPILIONACEOUS 
 INSECTS. 
 
 In addition to what we have said on this subject 
 at page 100, volume I., we subjoin the following 
 remarks : — That " the extent to which insects mi- 
 grate," says Mr Blyth, " or rather wander, seems 
 never to have sufficiently engaged the attention of 
 entomologists. Most persons must have remarked, 
 on perusing an account of the localities of our rarer 
 strong- winged insects (such as the Sphingidce, many 
 of the butterflies, &c.,) how very many of them 
 have been principally taken on the eastern and 
 southern coasts of the kingdom. My friend, to 
 whom I am indebted for the above information on 
 birds, mentions having seen several small moths 
 flying out at sea, when about ten miles distant from 
 the Suffolk coast ; one only of which was captured, 
 which I find to be the Lampetia defoliariu. Mr 
 Stephens, also, records an instance of the Death's- 
 head Hawk-moth (Ac/ierontia atropos) being cap- 
 tured four miles at sea ; and I have myself observed 
 numberless instances of diurnal moths and butter- 
 flies, flying at a considerable distance from land. 
 I have repeatedly seen the Humming-bird Hawk- 
 
176 MIGRATIONS OF PAPILIONACEOUS INSECTS. 
 
 moth (Macroglossa stellatarum) fly straight out to 
 sea ; also, on two or three occasions, the Clouded 
 Yellow Butterfly {Colias Edusa,) the Small Cop- 
 per Butterfly (Lyccena Plihvas,) and once, the 
 Wall Butterfly (Hipparchia megcera.) I have 
 picked up, also, in the Isle of Jersey, amongst the 
 rejectamenta of the sea, a drowned specimen of the 
 large Rhinoceros Beetle {Sinodendron cylindri- 
 cum,) and I could here enumerate various other 
 instances of insects being captured in the Channel ; 
 but the species in which, of all others, I have most 
 frequently observed this wandering propensity, is 
 the beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly (Cynthia 
 Cardui.) 
 
 " There is not, perhaps, any lepidopterous insect 
 whatever, the natural history of which would com- 
 prise so many curious particulars as that of the 
 interesting and elegant butterfly, Cynthia Cardui. 
 All the insects, it will be observed, whose names 
 are above mentioned, are known to possess a wide 
 geographical range ; but the Painted Lady Butter- 
 fly may be even said to be an inhabitant of the 
 world at large. Mr Rennie informs me that he has 
 seen specimens from America, from the Caucasus, 
 and from China ; I have seen them from North 
 America : the species is said also to occur in Ota- 
 heite and Australia, and it is undoubtedly found 
 in Africa. Reports, however, of this kind must be 
 received with some degree of caution, as, without 
 
MIGRATIONS OP PAPILIONACEOUS INSECTS. 1?7 
 
 actual and careful comparison, distinct species may 
 have been confounded together. Many birds (par- 
 ticularly of the order Grallatores) were once thus 
 said to inhabit all parts of the globe ; until it was 
 shown, by careful and minute comparison, that 
 different creatures had been confused together : I 
 allude to the species of Scolopax, Charadrius, Tha- 
 lasidroma, &c, which, though closely resembling 
 each other, are now proved, by various and constant 
 characters, to be distinct. There can, however, be 
 no doubt but that the Painted Lady Butterfly has 
 an amazingly wide range of geographical distribu- 
 tion, and I think it may be fully accounted for by 
 the strange wandering propensities of the insect. 
 
 " Of this I have just witnessed a very remark- 
 able example. I had often observed this species 
 to fly straight out to sea, and I have noticed it at a 
 considerable distance from land ; but, until within 
 this last fortnight, I never knew them travel in 
 immense flocks. On the 8th of this month, (Oc- 
 tober 1833,) this beautiful butterfly abounded in 
 all the gardens about this place ; upwards of 
 twenty were counted on one clump of dahlias ; 
 and, at the same time, they were noticed in equal 
 abundance in a garden about half a mile distant 
 from that in which those dahlias grew. None 
 had been previously observed in the neighbour- 
 hood, and all that were seen on that day were very 
 much rubbed and injured, so that they had evi- 
 
178 MIGRATIONS OF PAPILIONACEOUS INSECTS. 
 
 dently been long excluded from the chrysalis, and 
 had perhaps travelled a considerable distance. I 
 was unable to ascertain the direction from which 
 they came, neither could I discover the route 
 which .they pursued ; for a single day the species 
 appeared every where in abundance, and the day 
 after not one was any where to be seen. On the 
 morning of the 10th, however, I observed a single 
 one flying swiftly to the eastward ; and since that 
 time several others have been seen ; but, as these 
 last were all perfect and uninjured insects, I do 
 not consider that they formed part of the immense 
 flight which passed this place on the 8th. It will 
 be remembered, also, that this same butterfly is 
 the species which passed in such incalculable mul- 
 titudes through Switzerland some years ago ; an 
 occurrence, the description of which must be fami- 
 liar to every student of entomology.* 
 
 " Does not this ascertained fact, of insects thus 
 travelling in enormous flocks from one district to 
 another, explain, in some measure, the sudden 
 appearance of a particular species in vast numbers, 
 in a neighbourhood where it is usually considered 
 rare ? It certainly does seem, in many instances, 
 to account for this phenomonon ; but still, it will 
 not equally apply in all. It would be wandering, 
 
 * This circumstance is described tit pago 102, vol. i. , and at 
 page 98 of the same volume in the first edition. 
 
MIGRATIONS OF PAPILIONACEOUS INSECTS. 179 
 
 however, from the present subject, to treat on the 
 wonderful irregularity of insect appearance ; some 
 curious facts concerning this I will reserve for a 
 future opportunity ; but it is nevertheless worthy 
 of being observed here, that the Painted Lady 
 Butterfly, which is remarkable, in most places, for 
 the extreme irregularity of its occurrence, is equally 
 remarkable in others, (as in some parts of the west 
 of England, and in Jersey,) for appearing with 
 great regularity. 
 
 " A very singular circumstance is also related of 
 the Cynthia Cardui, by Mr Knapp, in his amusing 
 and excellent * Journal of a Naturalist.' After 
 some other remarks on the species, he observes that 
 ' some years ago a quantity of earth was raised in 
 cutting a canal in this county (Gloucestershire ;) 
 and in the ensuing summer, on the herbage that 
 sprang up from the new soil on the bank, this but- 
 terfly was found in abundance, where it had not 
 been observed for many years before.' Might we 
 not reasonably expect, if the soil about Hamp- 
 stead were to be turned up, on any occasion, to 
 some depth and extent, that the extraordinary and 
 distinctly marked butterfly, Cynthia Hampstedien- 
 sis, would reappear, although so many years have 
 now elapsed since it was last seen ?" * 
 
 • Field Naturalist's Magazine, p. 469. 
 
180 
 
 ORGANS OF HEARING. 
 
 There is no part of the physiology of insects 
 more interesting, and yet still in such doubt, as 
 whether or not they enjoy the sense of hearing in 
 the same manner as other animals. 
 
 Professor Rennie has published, in the Field 
 Naturalist's Magazine, several papers containing 
 some very interesting discussions on this subject, 
 which we shall endeavour to condense, adding such 
 matter as occurs to us as throwing light on this in- 
 tricate suject. In the first place, he has translated 
 Straus-Durckheim's excellent paper, from his work 
 on articulated animals. 
 
 It is now generally believed that the antennae 
 are the organs of hearing ; and this idea is strongly 
 supported by Diirckheim. In condemning the notion 
 of their being the organs of touch, he says, " Many 
 insects, besides, have their antennae so short, that 
 they would be obliged to stand erect on the crown 
 of their heads in order to come at the bodies which 
 they might thus wish to explore, and for this their 
 feet are much better adapted. 
 
 " Since almost all articulated animals possessing 
 a solid skin have antennae, which are furnished 
 
ORGANS OF HEARING. 181 
 
 with nerves of an extraordinary thickness in pro- 
 portion to their own size, there cannot remain a 
 doubt that they are organs of some sense, and that 
 too a very acute one. 
 
 " I have said, that insects are proved by obser- 
 vation to be furnished with an organ of hearing. It 
 is, indeed, scarcely probable that creatures such as 
 the tree-hopper {Cicada), and the locust (Locusta), 
 to which nature has given the faculty of producing 
 a peculiar sound, by means of an appropriate organ, 
 should, at the same time, be deprived of the means 
 of hearing such sounds, inasmuch as these can have 
 reference only to their own kindred. It is still 
 farther proved, that these insects share the faculty 
 of hearing, along with all other living beings, by 
 their ceasing to sing the instant they fear they 
 have been discovered." * 
 
 " I once was observing," says Kirby, " the mo- 
 tions of a weevil (Apion) under a pocket micro- 
 scope : on seeing me, it receded. Upon my making 
 a slight but distinct noise, its antennce started : I 
 repeated the noise several times, and invariably 
 with the same effect. A beetle (Harpalus,) which 
 I was holding in my hand, answered the sound in 
 the same manner repeatedly. I will now mention 
 another effect that I observed, still more remark- 
 able. A little moth was reposing upon my window ; 
 
 * S«c Field Naturalist's Magazine, i. pp. 59, 60. 
 
182 ORGANS OF HEARING. 
 
 I made a quiet, not loud, but distinct noise : the 
 antenna nearest to me immediately moved towards 
 me. I repeated the noise at least a dozen times, 
 and it was followed every time by the same motion 
 of that organ ; till at length the insect, being alarmed, 
 became more agitated and violent in its motions. 
 In this instance it could not be touch ; since the an- 
 tenna was not applied to a surface, but directed 
 towards the quarter from which the sound came, as 
 if to listen. It is necessary, however, to remark, 
 that there is a want of precision in these experi- 
 ments, as no precautions are mentioned to have been 
 taken to hide the cause of the noise from the eyes 
 of the insect."* 
 
 " It is important to remark, with regard to this 
 inquiry, that no effect is likely to be produced upon 
 insects by sounds unconnected with their habits ;t 
 for even the timid hare will scarcely bend its ear to 
 the clang of a peal of bells, or the beat of a drum, 
 while the bark of a lapdog would put it to imme- 
 diate flight ; and though a flock of rooks, as we have 
 frequently remarked, will feed unalarmed during a 
 violent thunder-storm, the report of a fowling-piece, 
 though ever so distant, or even of a boy's pop-gun, 
 will instantly rouse them. The same holds with 
 respect to insects ; and accordingly the quick-eared 
 grashoppers, locusts, and crickets, will not pay any 
 
 * Introduction to Entomology, vol. iv. p. 242. 
 •f Huber on Bees, p. 285. 
 
OBGANS OF HEARING. 183 
 
 attention to the beating of a watch, the ringing of 
 glasses, or any similar noise, while the object is kept 
 out of their sight, — but the rustle of leaves, or the 
 seemingly noiseless tread of one of their own species, 
 
 near them, puts them in a moment on the alert. 
 
 Having at present about a dozen of different species 
 of this order alive, we have repeated these experi- 
 ments in every possible form; but. the most im- 
 portant, with respect to the antennae, is that, when 
 a leaf or a bit of paper is rustled under a table, 
 the green grashopper (Acrida viridisshna) im- 
 mediately bends one or both of its long antennas 
 in the direction of the sound, just as a rabbit would 
 do its ears if similarly alarmed. The same effect 
 is produced when a large beetle, in a box, is placed 
 out of sight near it ; and when placed behind, it 
 bends the antennae back over the body, and bustles 
 to get out. It is obvious to us, indeed, that it is 
 partly, if not wholly, in consequence of the great 
 length of their antennae that these insects hear so 
 acutely ; and we think we have remarked that the 
 species in which they are short have a less perfect 
 sense of hearing. In the Capricorn beetles (Lamia, 
 §c), which live on the wood and bark of trees, the 
 antennae are also very long, for the purpose, it may 
 be, of warning the insect of the approach of snakes, 
 lizards, or the voracious woodpecker, whose loud 
 tapping, however, it will not be difficult to recognise. 
 The pretty moths, called by our London collectors 
 
184 ORGANS OF HEARING. 
 
 the Long-horned Japan (Adela, Latreillb), have 
 their antennae prodigiously long; and as they ap- 
 pear early in spring, even, as Latreille remarks, 
 before the oak is in leaf, may not these organs be 
 to give them quick intelligence of the approach of 
 birds, who are then most eager in hunting after 
 insects ? Be this as it may, these little moths are 
 exceedingly timid, and, though not of very rapid 
 flight, will start off at the slightest rustle." * 
 
 " When observing the various actions of insects, 
 we see them suddenly stretch their antenna? for- 
 wards in case of noise, danger, or, in general, when 
 any thing is done to attract their attention ; and 
 they keep them thus stretched forward as long as 
 their attention continues, a circumstance which 
 proves that the antenna? serve the purpose of 
 apprising them of what passes at a distance, and 
 consequently must either be organs of hearing or 
 organs of smell. M. Reaumur, (Mfon. des Insectes, 
 i. 643,) while he rejects the opinion that the an- 
 tennae serve to explore objects, thinks it possible 
 they may be the organs either of some unknown 
 sense, or of smell. The latter opinion, however, is 
 supported by no fact either anatomical or physio- 
 logical ; nor is it at all even probable, inasmuch 
 as the antennae are not soft and lubricated, as ob- 
 servation proves to be necessary for this kind of 
 
 • Sec Insect Miscellanies, pp. 100, 109. 
 
ORGANS OK HEARING. 
 
 sensation : it .appears to me more plausible to infer 
 that the antenna} serve for the perception of sounds. 
 This opinion is founded partly on the analogy of what 
 occurs in the larger animals, who prick up their ears 
 under similar circumstances in order to hear better ; 
 and partly because, on following the progress of 
 (leflrailntioit in the organ of hearing from the first 
 of the vertebrate animals {Vertebrata), we arrive 
 again in the last analysis at the antennas of articu- 
 lated animals, by a sort of transition occurring in 
 the lobster and craw-fish {Astacus), a genus in 
 which this organ occurs in the simplest form, com- 
 pared with that of superior animals." 
 
 [The author here goes into several details illus- 
 trative of this last statement, which we shall omit, 
 as of less weight than what follows.] 
 
 " The solidity of the envelope of antennae renders 
 these organs well adapted to undergo the same 
 vibrations as the air, in the same manner as the 
 strings of an jEolian harp vibrate and emit various 
 sounds, according as they are differently struck by 
 the air. In this view, however, we might infer 
 that nature would have made antennae in the form 
 of rods, consisting of a single piece, in order that 
 they might be more susceptible of vibrations ; but 
 it ought to be considered, that these organs would, 
 by such a conformation, have been much exposed 
 to breaking, while, in consecruence of their jointed 
 
186 ORGANS OP HEARING. 
 
 form, they have the advantage of regulating the 
 degree of vibration at pleasure, as may indeed be 
 observed when insects listen with attention ; I 
 mean, that the joints of the antennas perform the 
 same functions as the chain of small bones in the 
 chamber of the human ear, inasmuch as they form 
 a similar chain, and transmit the vibrations of the 
 air to the auditory pulp." * 
 
 On this subject, Bonsdorf says, " There are 
 none who know not that there exist many kinds 
 of insects which can produce sounds variously mo- 
 dulated, and sometimes acute buzzing noises, for 
 exciting which they are furnished with proper in- 
 struments, which will be explained more fully (if 
 it please God) on another opportunity. 
 
 " We ought not surely then to represent as useless 
 to the insects themselves, the voice at one time 
 fierce, at another the pure messenger of joy, heard 
 whilst we enter the woods and groves, or walk 
 through the meadows, resounding at one time with 
 the shrilling of gnats, and at another with the va- 
 rious nuptial songs of grashoppers and crickets. 
 
 " The more attentive observers and describers of 
 the economy of the honey bees, mention differences 
 in their sounds, such as a humming early in the 
 morning when the working bees go out upon their 
 flower choosing excursions; another, whilst they re- 
 
 * Sec Field Naturalist's Magazine, i. pp. 60, 01. 
 
ORGANS OF HEARING. 18" 
 
 turn to a peaceful rest in the evening; another, 
 while they call forth the whole hive in defence of 
 the state against the attacks of enemies ; another, 
 while they clean their hives from filth ; and an- 
 other, whilst the queen-bee leads forth a swarm to 
 seek new settlements. Now, I ask those who deny 
 hearing to insects, what can be the use of sounds 
 so variously modulated, unless the bees can by 
 hearing discriminate those sounds ?" * 
 
 " Not once, but a hundred times, I have tried by 
 experiment the acuteness of hearing in insects, as 
 ften as I have delighted my mind with contem- 
 plating the beauties of nature in study during the 
 summer nights, destined otherwise for the purpose 
 of recruiting exhausted strength. In such cases, 
 how much attention is requisite to avoid disturbing 
 the roaming moths, and how rapid is their flight on 
 the least noise being made, even before I could have 
 imagined that the noise could have reached their 
 ears. 
 
 " Unless, therefore, every circumstance misleads 
 me, the inference is correct, that there is a constant 
 relation between the power of expressing various 
 sounds and the power of perceiving the same ; and 
 this is strengthened the more as it is more clearly 
 seen and proved by sad experience in the case of a 
 man born deaf and dumb, which appears to prove 
 
 * Field Naturalist's Mayazine, i. |>. 1'Jo. 
 
188 ORGANS OF HEARING. 
 
 that hearing is the inseparable companion of the 
 power of uttering sound."* 
 
 After dilating at considerable length on this 
 subject, Bonsdorf says, " There remains only one 
 doubt, which the diligence of an after age may re- 
 move, namely, what openings the tremulous waves 
 of sound may have reserved for them in the inmost 
 recesses of the antennee, since these organs are ter- 
 minated by no open mouth ; or whether these pores 
 and openings between the joints be concealed, by 
 which the very tender members connecting the 
 joints alternately may be struck, for which use these 
 holes, invisible to the naked eye, seem clearly to be 
 arranged, and fitted equally for hearing, as the 
 smallest bones of the semicircular canals in the 
 linger animals. 
 
 " Nothing more, therefore, is requisite in this case 
 for confirming this opinion, than to show that the 
 antenna are active and watchful whenever they 
 are exposed to hostile and sudden sounds. 
 
 " I have examined, by many and various experi- 
 ments for several years, insects of different kinds, 
 in which the size of the antennae was different, and 
 such experiments, provided due care and attention 
 are employed, cannot be performed without the 
 most striking results. In proportion, also, as the 
 summer season was agreeable, and the weather 
 
 * Field Naturalist's Magazine, i. p. 2.0G. 
 
ORGANS OF HEARING. 189 
 
 mild and serene, my success was greater and more 
 delightful. As all my observations agreed in this 
 one circumstance, I omit to enumerate them ; for 
 the antennae being erect as soon as they were 
 put on the alert, they were moved hither and 
 thither by means of loud sounds, for they disregard- 
 ed such as were very small. These they may be 
 said to have drunk in ; and if alarmed by new 
 sounds, they rejoiced when they could effect their 
 escape as soon as possible, and preserve life and 
 safety by the most rapid flight. So I have observed 
 very frequently when the antennae were folded up 
 in the Lepturce, Elateres, Curculiones, Papiliones, 
 Apes; nay, even the house-fly, as soon as they 
 were moved and excited by irregular sounds or 
 noise, would erect their antennae, and betake them- 
 selves to flight, without any other excitement. The 
 Sphinges again, and P/ialcencr>, during the night, 
 fly about the flowers of the man-agon and other lily 
 plants, emitting an agreeable smell ; during the 
 night, scarcely could a voice be raised then they 
 would turn round very swiftly, and the antenna} 
 appear to be, as it were, convulsed. 
 
 " I must not pass over in silence, however, that 
 no evidence more clear could be desired of the sen- 
 sibility of the antenna? to quick sounds, than what 
 occurred to me last summer in my garden. I ob- 
 served, in a morning walk, undertaken for the pur- 
 pose of catching insects on the hazels, that, while 
 
1<)() ORGANS OF HEARING. 
 
 standing in the shade, a nut weevil was sitting 
 quietly at a distance upon a leaf, with the antennae 
 hanging down as if they were asleep ; on which 
 account I directed a pocket-telescope to the spot, 
 which was above five feet distant, and therefore 
 convenient for viewing the insect. The point of 
 view being thus determined, I made a loud sound, 
 •and I was delighted with the opportunity of seeing 
 the weevil not only roused, but the antennae which 
 had been hanging down became elongated, and 
 being full of joints, struck by the undulations of 
 sound, they extended themselves, and remained on 
 the alert till alarmed again by a fresh sound. The 
 insects fell down on the ground, as is the habit of 
 those and other weevils. I have never attended to 
 any proof of hearing in spiders, among which the 
 want of antennae is supplied by acute sight and 
 smell ; but all these proofs, weighed together and 
 separately, seem to add strength to the probability 
 of our conjecture, namely, that the antennae are 
 given to insects for the purpose of perceiving and 
 recognising sounds, in a similar manner as the sails 
 of a ship serve to convert the wind to the use of the 
 sailor ; from which analogy and comparison, I sup- 
 pose that this name has been assigned to these 
 organs of insects."* 
 
 Professor Treviranus says, " I believed I had 
 
 * Field Naturalist's Magazine, i. pages 288-99. 
 
ORGANS OF HEARING. 191 
 
 discovered the organ of hearing in the cockroach, 
 (Blata Orientalis,) in the form of an opening 
 covered by a membrane, white, interiorly concave, 
 and situated at the base of the antennae ; under it 
 there is a projection from the brain, (the first nerve- 
 knot or ganglion,) which appears to perform the 
 office of an auditory nerve. The membrane 
 was not round, but semicircular, and immediately 
 bordering on the ring in which the antennae are 
 fixed. Under it I found a white homy substance, 
 similar to that which covers the inner crustaceous 
 envelope of the head. The projections of the brain 
 appeared to give off nerves to the antennas on each 
 side ; but I could not determine whether it spread 
 out over the membrane, which I am inclined to 
 consider the organ of hearing, as I could not other- 
 wise conceive of its functions. 
 
 The antennse of butterflies terminate in a clubbed 
 tip, in which there are not muscles for producing 
 motion, as in the body of these organs, but half a 
 liquid substance filling the cavity. In the Alder- 
 man Butterfly, {Ammiralis Atalanta,) I found this 
 substance intermixed with membranous matter, 
 resembling in some degree the substance found in 
 the auditory sacs of the frog, the calcareous portions 
 being less than in the latter. I think it exceed- 
 ingly probable that the clubs of the antennse are 
 the seat of the sense of hearing." * 
 
 • Sec Field Naturalist's Magazine, ii. p. 24. 
 
192 
 
 METHOD OF COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES, 
 SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 
 
 Almost every country on the globe is inhabited 
 by numerous species of lepidoptcrous insects. These 
 are habited in more splendid attire as we approach 
 the Tropics. 
 
 The localities of the lepidoptera are exceedingly 
 varied ; some inhabit open fields, others are to be 
 found in the recesses of woods, lanes, and at the 
 bottom of hedges. But by far the best way to 
 make a collection of this order of insects is, to pro- 
 cure them either in the larva or pupa state ; and, if 
 in the former condition, they must be fed on their 
 natural vegetable diet till they have attained their 
 full size, and changed into the pupa condition. In 
 this state they must be carefully kept till they trans- 
 form into the perfect or imago state. By this means 
 they are likely to be more perfect than when taken 
 by the net or other means, as the scales or dust 
 which invests their wings is very easily removed, 
 which renders the insect imperfect, and has a ten- 
 dency to destroy its beauty. 
 
 To procure the pupoe or larvce of lepidopterous 
 
METHOD OP COLLECTING, &C. 193 
 
 insects, the collector must beat the branches of trees 
 into his folding gauze net, as also hedges, nettles, 
 and other plants, on which these larvse feed, or 
 to which many of the pupa; are suspended by the 
 tail. 
 
 In searching for moths which fly by night, the 
 London collectors have a lantern constructed with 
 a concave back, and provided with a reflector be- 
 hind. This lantern is fastened round the body of 
 the lepidopterist, about the region of the stomach, 
 by means of a belt. The fly net should be held 
 open in front by the collector, when all those noc- 
 turnal flying moths will be entrapped which come 
 within the influence of the light, to which they are 
 naturally attracted. In hot and close summer 
 evenings, if a candle is placed on the table of a 
 summer house, or in other rooms, with the windows 
 open, it will be found that many of the night 
 flying lepidoptera will be thereby attracted. 
 
 When taking lepidopterous insects by means of 
 forceps, they should be as widely expanded as pos- 
 sible, and the insect should be approached with 
 great caution. When the entomologist has ap- 
 proached sufficiently near, the instrument should 
 be quickly closed on the animal, including the leaf 
 on which it is settled. When the prey is secured, 
 a gentle pressure with the finger and thumb is ap- 
 plied to the thorax below the wings, which soon 
 kills it. 
 
194 METHOD OF COLLECTING 
 
 Mr Haworth, in the " Lepidoptera Britannica," 
 in mentioning the tenacity of life in the Bombyx 
 Cossus, or Goat Moth, states, that " the usual way 
 of compressing the thorax is not sufficient to kill 
 this insect. They will live several days after the 
 most severe pressure has been given there, to the 
 great uneasiness of any humane entomologist. The 
 methods of suffocation by tobacco or sulphur, are 
 equally inefficacious, unless continued for a greater 
 number of hours than is proper for the preservation 
 of the specimens. Another method now in practice 
 is better, and however fraught with cruelty it may 
 appear to the inexperienced collector, is the greatest 
 piece of comparative mercy that can, in this case, 
 be administered. When the larger moths must be 
 killed, destroy them at once by the insertion of a 
 strong, red-hot needle into their thickest parts, be- 
 ginning at the front of the thorax. If this be pro- 
 perly done, instead of lingering through several dags, 
 they are dead in a moment. It appears to me, 
 however, that insects being animals of cold and 
 sluggish juices, are not so susceptible of the sensa- 
 tions we call pain, as those which enjoy a warmer 
 temperature of body, and a swifter circulation of 
 the fluids. To the philosophic mind, it is self- 
 evident that they have not such acute organs of 
 feeling pain, as other animals of a similar size, 
 whose juices are endowed with a quicker motion, 
 and possess a constant, regular, and genial warmth, 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 195 
 
 such as young mice, or the naked young of birds. 
 If any of these have the misfortune to lose their 
 heads or limbs from force, speedy death is the cer- 
 tain consequence ; but insects under similar cir- 
 cumstances, it is well known, are capable of sur- 
 viving a considerable time." 
 ■ Butterflies are soon killed by passing a pin 
 through the thorax ; but probably the safest way 
 is to adopt Mr Haworth's plan, of making their in- 
 stant death certain. The pin passed through the 
 thorax of small moths, generally proves almost in- 
 stantly fatal to them. 
 
 But though nipping the breast will kill many 
 small lepidoptera, the larger ones will live long after 
 it. " To despatch these effectually," say Kirby 
 and Spence, " you will find the following apparatus 
 very convenient: — Fix in a small tin saucepan, 
 filled with boiling water, a tin tube consisting of 
 two pieces that fit into each other ; cover the mouth 
 of the lower one with a piece of gauze or canvass, 
 and place your insects upon it ; then fix the upper 
 one over it, and cover also the mouth of this with 
 gauze, &c, and the steam from the boiling water 
 will effectually kill your insects without injuring 
 their plumage. There is another more simple mode 
 of doing this ; the apparatus for which may be met 
 with every where. Fix a piece or two of elder or 
 willow, or any soft wood, with the bark on, across 
 the bottom of a mug, and on this stick your im- 
 
196 METHOD OF COLLECTING 
 
 paled insects, invert the mug in a deep basin, into 
 which pour boiling water till it is covered, holding 
 it down with a knife, &c, that the expansion of the 
 included air may not overturn it. In two minutes, 
 or less, all the insects will be found dead, and not 
 at all wetted. If the sticks do not exactly fit, they 
 may be wedged in with a piece of cork. Professor 
 Peck, who used to put minute insects into the hol- 
 low of a quill, stopped with a piece of wood made 
 'to fit, killed them instantaneously by holding it 
 over the flame of a candle." * 
 
 When the insects are killed, the next thing is to 
 prepare them for being placed in the cabinet. The 
 entomologist should have at hand a pincushion sup- 
 plied with entomological pins, called short whites. 
 The pin should be pierced through the middle of 
 the thorax, forcing it sufficiently through, so that 
 enough may be projecting to pierce the cork of the 
 drawer, and hold the insect sufficiently firm. The 
 insect, to look well, should be nearly close to the 
 paper, but at such a distance as the legs do not 
 touch the bottom, as they are thereby liable to be 
 broken. 
 
 Some of the continental collectors have the insect 
 forced up to nearly the head of the pin, so that they 
 may examine it with a microscope without remo- 
 ving the glass lid. This, however, is liable to the 
 
 • Kirby and Spcncc, Introduction to Entomology, iv. p. 529. 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SFH1NGES, AND MOTHS. 197 
 
 objection, that the pin is very liable to be bent in 
 pushing it into the cork, and the insect does not 
 look nearly so well as when near the paper. 
 
 The best method of arranging lepidopterous, or 
 indeed other insects, is to arrange them in columns, 
 with the generic name at the head of each column, 
 and the specific name affixed to each species, or in 
 a line with the insect to its right. The lines ought 
 to be ruled with a black lead pencil, by which an 
 alteration can easily be made without destroying 
 the whole of the paper. Males and females should 
 be placed together if they can be had ; and if pos- 
 tible two specimens of each, for the purpose of 
 exhibiting both the upper and under side. If the 
 insect is subject to variety, these should also be 
 procured, as these are very useful in elucidating 
 species. Besides the generic and specific names, 
 the country should also be marked, as well as the 
 particular locality of the specimens preserved. 
 
 OP SETTING LEFIDOPTEUA. 
 
 The wings of lepidopterous insects should be ad- 
 justed with great nicety and uniformity, otherwise 
 they never look well. 
 
 The larger insects of this order are set by braces 
 chiefly. A single one should in the- first place be 
 
198 METHOD OF COLLECTING 
 
 introduced under the wing, near the thorax, as 
 shown in the following figure, 
 
 and a longer brace extending over the wings, as at 
 A A. These should not bear upon the wings, but be 
 ready to rest gently on them, when required. The 
 wings are now elevated to their proper position by 
 the setting needle, andiother braces are used as neces- 
 sity dictates, in the manner represented in the above 
 figure. The feet and antennse are extended and 
 kept in their places by means of pins ; in which 
 operation small braces are also occasionally used. 
 
 The French entomologists set butterflies, moths, 
 and sphinges, on a piece of soft wood, in which 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 199 
 
 they have excavated a groove for the reception of 
 the body, as deep as the insertion of the wings. 
 They are otherwise preserved as above directed. 
 
 In the larger butterflies, moths, and sphinges, 
 the abdomen should be perforated, its contents ex- 
 tracted, and then stuffed with fine cotton, after 
 having been washed internally with the solution 
 of corrosive sublimate. Indeed, the cotton should 
 also be rubbed with the arsenical soap before being 
 introduced, as these insects are particularly liable 
 to the attack of smaller insects, such as the mite. 
 
 Several of the moth tribe are extremely liable to 
 change their colour some time after they have been 
 placed in a cabinet. This change is frequently oc- 
 casioned by an oily matter which is common to 
 many of them. This first makes its appearance in 
 small spots on the body, but soon spreads itself 
 over the abdomen, thorax, and wings ; and ends in 
 a total obliteration of all the beautiful markings. 
 A method which has been sometimes successfully 
 adopted, is to sprinkle all the wings with powdered 
 chalk, and holding a heated iron over it ; the chalk 
 absorbs the grease, and may then be blown off by 
 means of a pair of small bellows. Another way of 
 applying the chalk, and perhaps the better of the 
 two, is to throw some powdered chalk on the face 
 of a heated iron, and then put it into a piece of 
 linen cloth, and apply it to the body of the insect ; 
 
OOO METHOD OF COLLECTING 
 
 the heat of the iron will soften the grease, and the 
 thalk will absorb it. 
 
 Another method is to hold a heated iron over 
 the insects for a few minutes, and then to wash 
 the spotted or greasy places with ox gall and water, 
 applied with a camel-hair pencil, and afterwards 
 wash it with pure water, and dry it by an applica- 
 tion of bloating paper, and when perfectly dry 
 imbue it with the solution of corrosive sublimate. 
 . But grease seldom appears where the contents of 
 the abdomen have been removed. 
 
 It is most difficult, if not nearly impracticable, 
 to set many of the smaller moths without destroy- 
 ing the characters of their wings ; and the trunks 
 of many of them are so small that they are not 
 even the breadth of a pin. The only method there- 
 fore of preserving these is by gumming them on a 
 card, and keeping their wings expanded by means 
 of the gum. This must be applied with a camel- 
 hair pencil. If the collector has two specimens, 
 one should be set with expanded wings, and the 
 other in the state while at rest. These small in- 
 sects should be placed on dark coloured or black 
 cards, if they are themselves pale ; and if dark, 
 they should be fixed on white cards. 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 201 
 
 ON PRESERVING EGGS OF LEFIDOPTERA. 
 
 The eggs of this order of insects are subject to 
 great variety, not only in the form, but also in the 
 markings which ornament their surface. They are 
 very easily preserved. Swammerdam's method 
 was to perforate them with a fine needle, and then 
 prew out their contents, afterwards inflate them 
 with a glass blowpipe, and fill them with a 
 mixture of oil of spike and resin. 
 
 OF LARVJE OR CATERPILLARS. 
 
 Immersion in spirits of wine is the most imme- 
 diate and effectual way of destroying caterpillars ; 
 and they may be long kept in it without injuring 
 their colours. 
 
 For insects which undergo their metamorphoses 
 under the ground, a larger breeding cage than recom- 
 mended at page 220, will be found more effectual. It 
 •mght to be from three to four feet square, and from 
 two to three feet deep,' with a tin covering externally; 
 through the sides and bottoms of which small holes 
 should be pierced. This box should be filled with 
 earth, having a quantity of vegetables placed in it, 
 such as are fed on by the caterpillars intended to 
 be bred, and then sink it into a bed of soil, allow- 
 ing the surface to be exposed to the changes of the 
 atmosphere. This box should have a covering of 
 
VOX METHOD OF COLLECTING 
 
 brass or iron wire-cloth to prevent the escape of the 
 caterpillars. When they have fed their accustomed 
 time, and attained maturity, they will dig them- 
 selves a recess under the surface of the soil, and 
 there undergo their change into a chrysalis. In this 
 condition they will continue, till transformed by the 
 genial influence of the sun. 
 
 " Some years," says Mr Samouelle,* " produce 
 a greater quantity of caterpillars than others ; and 
 keeping each kind by themselves would require an 
 immense number of cages, and much time in chan- 
 ging the food, and paying a proper attention to them. 
 It is a common practice to have a breeding cage of 
 larger dimensions, by which means a great number 
 of caterpillars may be fed in one cage, in which a 
 variety of food may be put, but must be taken away 
 and replaced with fresh plants, every second or 
 third day, for this tends greatly to the obtaining 
 of fine specimens of the perfect insect." 
 
 The skin of the pupa? generally retain their 
 original shape and colour, as before the insect burst 
 from its confinement. No preparation is therefore 
 necessary, and it should only be fixed on a card, as 
 above directed for the caterpillar. 
 
 * Samouelle's Entomologist's Useful Compendium, p, 3l0. 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 205 
 
 THE INSIiCT CABINET. 
 
 The drawers of the cabinet should be about fif- 
 teen inches in length, eighteen in breadth, and two 
 inches deep. There should be a layer of cork of about 
 the sixth of an inch in thickness gluedon the bottoms, 
 and a piece of paper pasted on the top. The cork 
 ought to be of the best quality, and free from cracks 
 and knots. Each drawer should have a lid of glass, 
 which must rest upon a rabbet. This excludes the 
 air, and prevents dust. 
 
 " The simplest method of corking drawers is, to 
 purchase the cork of a corkcutter, ready prepared ; 
 but it will be much cheaper for the entomologist to 
 prepare it himself. In this case it should be cut 
 into stripes, of about three inches wide, with a cork- 
 cutter's knife, to smooth the surface, and to divide 
 it. The stripes should be fixed in a vice, and cut 
 to the thickness required with a fine saw; but 
 grease must not be used in the operation, as it will 
 not only prevent the cork from adhering to the bot- 
 tom of the drawer, but will also grease the paper 
 which should be pasted on its surface. The black 
 Face of the cork should be rasped down to a smooth 
 surface. After having reduced the slips to about 
 three quarters of an inch in thickness, the darkest 
 or worst side of each slip should be glued down to 
 a sheet of brown, or cartridge paper; this should be- 
 laid on a deal board, about three feet in length, 
 
204 METHOD OF COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 and of the width required for a drawer or box ; a 
 few fine nails, or brads, must be driven through 
 each piece of cork, to keep it firm and in its place, 
 until the glue be dried : by this means, sheets of 
 cork may be formed the size of the drawer. All 
 the irregularities are filed or rasped down quite to a 
 level surface, and then polished smooth with pumice- 
 stone. The sheet thus formed and furnished, is 
 glued into the drawers. To prevent its warping, 
 some weights must be equally distributed over the 
 cork, that it may adhere firmly to the bottom of 
 the drawer. When quite dry, the weights are re- 
 moved, and the cork covered with fine white paper, 
 but not very thick. The paper is allowed to be 
 quite damp with the paste before it is placed on 
 the cork ; and, when dry, it will become perfectly 
 tight." * 
 
 * Brown's Taxidermist's Manual, p. 8!). 
 
205 
 
 REMARKS ON THE PRESERVATION OF 
 LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 
 
 Of all the varied tribes of insects, the lepidoptera 
 are probably the most perishable. They are parti- 
 cularly subject to mouldiness, and are very liable 
 to the attacks of mites, and other minute insects, 
 which eat into and consume their bodies. Cabinets 
 should therefore be kept in very dry situations ; 
 and care should be taken that the insect is perfectly 
 dry when first placed in the cabinet. But when 
 they do get mouldy, it may be washed off with a 
 camel's hair pencil, dipped in camphorated spirits 
 of wine. After which the insect must be placed in 
 a dry or warm situation till thoroughly dried, Vie- 
 fore being returned into the cabinet. 
 
 Each drawer should always have a piece of cam- 
 phor kept in it, for the purpose of preventing the 
 mites from entering, although this does not always 
 prove successful. The presence of mites is easily 
 known by small parcels of dust, which will usually 
 be found deposited where they are. They must be 
 immediately picked out, and their lodgement care- 
 fully cleaned with a camel hair pencil, which has 
 been previously dipped in a solution of corrosive 
 sublimate, and then dried. 
 
800 REMARKS ON THE PRESERVATION 
 
 On this subject Mr Waterton makes the follow- 
 ing remarks : — " I only know of two methods," 
 says he, " to guard preserved insects from the de- 
 predations of living ones. The first is, by poison- 
 ing the atmosphere — the second is, by poisoning 
 the prepared specimens themselves, so effectually, 
 that they are no longer food for the depredators. 
 But there are some objections to both these modes ; 
 a poisoned atmosphere will evaporate in time if not 
 attended to, or if neglected to be renewed ; and 
 there is great difficulty in poisoning some specimens 
 on account of their delicacy and minuteness. If 
 you keep spirits of turpentine in the boxes which 
 contain your preserved specimens, I am of opinion 
 that those specimens will be safe as long as the odour 
 of the turpentine remains in the box, for it is said 
 to be the most pernicious of all scents to insects. 
 But it requires attention to keep up an atmosphere 
 of spirit of turpentine ; if it be allowed to evaporate 
 entirely, then there is a clear and undisputed path 
 open to the inroads of the enemy ; he will take 
 advantage of your absence or neglect, and when 
 you return to view your treasure you will find it 
 in ruins. Spirits of turpentine poured into a com- 
 mon glass inkstand, in which there is a piece of 
 sponge, and placed in a corner of your box, will 
 create a poisoned atmosphere, and kill every insect 
 there. The poisoning of your specimens by means 
 of corrosive sublimate in alcohol, is a most effectual 
 
OF LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 207 
 
 method. As soon as the operation is properly per- 
 formed, the depredating insect perceives that the 
 prepared specimen is no longer food for it, and will 
 for ever cease to attack it ; but then every part 
 must have received the poison, otherwise those 
 parts where the poison has not reached will still be 
 exposed to the enemy, and he will pass unhurt 
 over the poisoned parts till he arrives at that port 
 of your specimen which is still wholesome food for 
 him. Now, the difficulty lies in applying the 
 solution to very minute specimens without injuring 
 their appearance ; and all that can be said is, to 
 recommend unwearied exertion, which is sure to 
 be attended with great skill, and great skill will 
 insure surprising success. I myself have attended 
 to the preservation of insects with the assiduity 
 which Horace recommends to poets : — ' Nocturna 
 versate manu, versate diurna.' The result has 
 been astonishing success, and a perfect conviction 
 that there is no absolute and lasting safety for pre- 
 pared specimens in zoology from the depredations 
 of insects, except by poisoning every part of them 
 with a solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol. 
 
 " The tight boxes, and aromatic atmospheres, will 
 certainly do a great deal, but they arc liable to 
 fail, for this obvious reason, viz. that they do not 
 render for ever absolutely baneful and abhorrent 
 to the depredator, that which in itself is nutritious 
 and grateful to him. In an evil hour, through 
 
208 HEMAHKS ON THE PRESERVATION 
 
 neglect in keeping up a poisoned atmosphere, the 
 specimens collected by industry, and prepared by 
 art, and which ought to live, as it were, for the ad- 
 miration of future ages, may fall a prey to an in- 
 trading and almost invisible enemy ; so that unless 
 the solution of corrosive sublimate in alcohol is ap- 
 plied, you are never perfectly safe from surprise. 
 I have tried a decoction of aloes, wormwood, and 
 walnut leaves, thinking they would be of service, 
 on account of their bitterness : the trial completely 
 failed. Wherefore I venture to recommend not to 
 put much trust in simples. 
 
 * Contra vim mortis, non est medicamen in hoTtis. 1 
 
 ' Against the deadly moth, can 1, 
 From herbs, no remedy supply.' v 
 
 METHOD OF TRANSPORTING INSECTS. 
 
 The plan described by Levaillant in his Travels 
 in Africa, for the preservation of his entomological 
 collections, is the following : — Boxes or chests care- 
 fully made of light wood, of a convenient portable 
 size, are provided with partitions and moveable 
 shelves, each consisting of a simple board ; these 
 are fitted, at the distance of two inches one from 
 another, in grooves in the sides of the box, in 
 which they are made to slide with accuracy and 
 facility, and are therefore removable at pleasure. 
 
OF LEPIDOI'TEHOUS INSECTS. 2(>9 
 
 These boards or shelves have necessarily the exact 
 dimensions of the ends of the chest, and are placed 
 in a vertical position ; a small vacancy is preserved 
 between their lower extremity and the floor, and 
 any object detached by accident falls to the bottom 
 without causing farther injury. Each board or 
 shelf, lined with cork or soft wood, supplies, in 
 some measure, the place of a cabinet drawer. 
 When taken out of the box and placed on a table, 
 it rests securely and affords. a plain surface, upon 
 which insects may be fixed, or examined with per- 
 fect ease and security. It is returned into the box 
 in an instant, which, if carefully made, when 
 closed, secures most effectually the contents. One 
 large box may conveniently contain fourteen boards, 
 answering the purpose of as many drawers ; and, 
 being eighteen inches square, they are of a manage- 
 able size. Dr Horsfield found these boxes most 
 admirably adapted to his entomological pursuits 
 while in Java, and preferred those made of light 
 wood. He says, that when he commenced packing 
 for transportation, " boxes according to Levail- 
 lant's plan, were therefore provided of more sub- 
 stantial material than those employed in travelling, 
 in proportion to the increase of the collection. The 
 wood of the Bombax pentandrum was employed 
 for lining the boards and securing the pins ; and I 
 ascribed to an acquaintance with the peculiar pro- 
 perty of this wood, which renders it an effectual 
 
210 REMARKS ON THE PRESERVATION, &C. 
 
 substitute for cork, the preservation of the collec- 
 tion during its transportation. After having care- 
 fully packed the subjects, every necessary precau- 
 tion that suggested itself was used in securing the 
 boxes against accidents during the voyage. They 
 were individually painted and covered with oil 
 cloth. Each box was then placed in an outer case, 
 made of the same substantial materials, and secured 
 in the same manner," by which means the wlmlr 
 of his extensive and valuable collection of lepidop- 
 terous insects were safely brought to England. 
 
 Caterpillars may also be preserved by first 
 squeezing out their entrails, and insert into the punc- 
 ture a glass tube which has been drawn to a very 
 fine point. This pipe must be blown into while 
 the skin of the caterpillar is held over a charcoal 
 fire, and kept constantly turned round, until it be- 
 comes hardened. It is then rubbed over with nil 
 of spike, dried, and then placed into the cabinet. 
 They should be gummed to a piece of card, so that 
 they may not be touched in lifting them, as they 
 are very liable to be squeezed, and thus broken. 
 
INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, 
 SETTING, AND PRESERVING BUTTER- 
 FLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 
 
 THE ENTOMOLOGICAL OK FLY NET. 
 
 This net, which is figured above, is similar in 
 construction to the bat fowling-net, and is either 
 made of close green gauze or open muslin. It is 
 sometimes white, which is not so useful as green, 
 although the former is best adapted for minute 
 moths, being more easily seen on it. The rods 
 ought to be made of beech or hickory ; holly and 
 hazel will also answer the purpose. They should 
 he from five to six feet in length, made quite round 
 and smooth, and gradually tapering to a point. 
 The cross-piece should be made of cane, and fitted 
 into a ferrule of an angulated form. The rod should 
 be divided into three or four pieces, so that it may 
 be carried conveniently in the pocket ; a ferrule 
 should be riveted on each joint at the upper part ; 
 
212 INSTHUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 and each joint should be provided with a notch or 
 check, so as to prevent the upper part from warping. 
 Great care ought to be taken in fitting the joints to 
 the brass tubes, so that they may fit exactly, and 
 thus prevent them from falling to pieces. 
 
 THE FOLDING NET. 
 
 This net must be bound round with a broad 
 welting, doubled, for receiving the side rods. At 
 the top there must be a piece of shamois leather, 
 for the purpose of acting as a hinge, which must be 
 sewed round the welting, divided and attached in 
 the middle, so as to prevent the cross-piece from 
 slipping ; at the lower side there should be about 
 four inches of gauze turned up, so as to farm a bag ; 
 there ought to be strings attached, so as to pass 
 through a staple for drawing the net tight on each 
 side. 
 
 When this instrument is used, the handles or 
 rods are to be taken one in each hand, and with 
 this lepidopterous insects may be taken during their 
 flight ; and this is performed by opening and shut- 
 ting the net, and securing the insects between the 
 foldsi It may also be used for collecting cater- 
 pillars. When used for this purpose, the lepi- 
 dopterist must expand it under the trees, bushes, or 
 plants, which they inhabit, and beat the branches 
 with a stick, and the caterpillars will naturally fall 
 on the net. 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 213 
 
 THE HOOP NET. 
 
 This hoop net consists of a strong brass wire 
 hoop, from nine inches to a foot in diameter, with a 
 socket for receiving the end of a walking stick or 
 rod, which the lepidopterist should always carry 
 along with him. Some are made with a screw, for 
 greater security. To this ring is attached a bag 
 of net, gauze, or muslin, about a foot in depth. 
 " The French collectors," say Messrs Kirby and 
 Spens, * " use a net of this kind, in which the 
 hoop is formed of two semicircular pieces of iron or 
 brass wire, hooked together at one end, and at the 
 other made to lap over the corresponding piece, and 
 pierced to receive the screw at the end of your 
 stick. When not employed they double the hoop, 
 and conceal it under the rest ; they fix to it a mus- 
 lin bag of two feet long. This net is made to serve 
 various purposes. With it they catch Lepidoptera, 
 and other flying insects ; and an adroit collector, by 
 ;j;ivingit a certain twist, completely closes the mouth, 
 * Introduction to Entomology, iv. p. 516. 
 
214 INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 so as to prevent the escape of his captives. Fixed 
 to a very long pole, (Mr Haworth says it should be 
 twenty or thirty feet long,) it is the best net for the 
 Purple Emperor Butterfly," described at page 156, 
 volume first of this work.* 
 
 MACLKAN S ELASTIC NET. 
 
 This net is constructed of two stout pieces of 
 cane, split and connected by a joint at each end, 
 also by a rod which lies between them, " in 
 which a pully is fixed ; through this a cord fast- 
 ened to the canes passes ; a long cane with a fer- 
 rule receives the lower end of the rod, and forms a 
 handle ; and to the canes is fastened a net of green 
 gauze." The handle is taken in the right hand, 
 and the string in the left ; when the latter is pulled, 
 the canes bend till they form a hoop, and the net 
 appended to them is open ; when insects are within 
 it the cord is relaxed, and the canes become Straight. 
 Close the mouth of the net, and secure the insects. 
 These are kept close by the left hand, and the prey 
 is disabled with the right. 
 
 * Page 152, vol. i., First Edition, 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 215 
 
 ENTOMOLOGICAL FOBCEPS. 
 
 The forceps is a very useful instrument for col- 
 letting day-Hying lepidopterous insects. 
 
 Some of these are formed with octagonal leaves, 
 and others circular or oval ; they ought to be five 
 or six inches in diameter, and covered with muslin 
 or green gauze, or very fine catgut, the meshes of 
 which ought to allow the head of a lace pin to pass 
 through it. The joint of the handle should be 
 placed nearer the rings for the finger and thumb, 
 than to the leaves of the instrument, or it will not 
 open well. The handles may be made of iron, but 
 the hoop should always be of brass, to prevent its 
 rusting, or, if made of iron, it ought to be painted. 
 The objection to the leaves of forceps being round 
 is, that when the insect wished to be seized is 
 perched upon a wall, or other vertical situations, 
 they cannot be applied with such certainty of se- 
 curing the object. 
 
216 INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 The entomological forceps made use of in Ger- 
 many are not only longer in the handles, but also 
 larger in the leaves. The leaves are generally from 
 ten to twelve inches in diameter. 
 
 POCKET COLLECTING BOX. 
 
 The lepidopterist ought to provide himself with 
 one or two light chip boxes, or thin deal ones. 
 These should be lined with cork on the bottom. 
 When an insect is taken, and killed, a pin should be 
 passed through its thorax, and with this it ought to 
 be attached to the bottom of the box. These boxes 
 should have camphor placed in them, within a 
 small gauze bag, which has the effect of rendering 
 the animal soon stupid, and ultimately of killing it. 
 
 Messrs Kirby and Spence recommend that the 
 boxes should be numbered in a small memorandum- 
 book, carried for the purpose, in which should be 
 inserted any remarks, as to food, station, and habits 
 of any insect which may be taken, inserting against 
 them the number of the box or phial that con- 
 tains it. 
 
 The same gentlemen say they have found, when 
 at a loss, a piece of elder, with the pith taken out 
 to a sufficient depth at both ends, and each mouth 
 stopped with a wooden plug, a useful insect box. 
 This we should think particularly useful in the case 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 217 
 
 of taking small moths, which are difficult to be se- 
 cured in the open air, from their smallness, and also 
 the danger of destroying the farina of their wings. 
 
 COLLECTING PHIAL. 
 
 For the smaller species of butterflies and moths, a 
 small wide-mouthed phial will be found extremely- 
 useful to the collector. In the cork should be in- 
 serted a flattened tin tube, into which a piece of 
 wood should be neatly fitted. By putting the in- 
 sects through this tube, there is no likelihood of 
 those which are already within the phial escaping. 
 
 POCKET LARVAE BOX. 
 
 This is simply a small chip-box, with an aper- 
 ture at top and bottom, and covered with fine open 
 muslin, for the admission of air. Care ought to be 
 taken to insert into the box a portion of the leaves 
 
 VOL. III. p 
 
218 INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 <m which the caterpillar feeds, as larvae feed almost 
 unremittingly, consuming many times their own 
 weight of leaves every day. 
 
 BRASS PLIARS. 
 
 This instrument is indispensable in picking up 
 small insects, as by using them the entomologist is 
 less likely to remove the scaly powder from the 
 wings. 
 
 This instrument is made of steel or iron, some- 
 what about six inches in length, and fixed into a 
 wooden handle. It is used for collecting the pupre 
 of lepidopterous insects, which lie concealed at the 
 roots of trees and bottoms of hedges. It is also used 
 for stripping off the bark from trees, where the larvse 
 of many rare insects are to be found ; it ought to be 
 arrow-pointed. 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. <!ly 
 
 SETTING NEEDLE. 
 
 This instrument is fixed to the stalk of a common 
 hair pencil, and is used for extending the parts of 
 insects, such as their limbs, antennae, wings, &c. 
 On the opposite end of the stick there ought to be a 
 hair pencil, for the purpose of removing any dust 
 which may fall upon them. 
 
 This is another kind of Setting Needle, the use 
 of which will be obvious. 
 
 The pins used for insects are the small lace kind, 
 and made very fine for the express purpose ; they 
 ought to be well tinned, to prevent the juices of 
 the insect from acting on them, and thus producing 
 verdigris, which destroys the insects. 
 
 SETTING BOARDS. 
 
 These consist simply of convenient sized thin 
 deal boards, and covered with a thin layer of cork ; 
 which ought to be perfectly level on the surface, and 
 covered with white paper. 
 
220 INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 These are small slips of card, which are made 
 use of for confining the wings of butterflies, sphinges, 
 and moths, while in the act of drying. 
 
 These should not exceed a foot square in size ; 
 both top and bottom being about two inches and a 
 half in depth ; and made on the same plan as back- 
 gammon boards. The inside should be lined with 
 cork, covered with paper. 
 
 THE HREEDINO CAGE. 
 
 This is used for rearing the caterpillars or larvae 
 ' lepidopterous insects as they are hatched. It 
 
BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 221 
 
 ought to be made of hard wood, having its sides 
 and front covered with gauze or fine muslin. In the 
 inside is affixed a box or tube for the reception ol 
 a small phial for inserting plants, on which the 
 caterpillars are accustomed to feed, which it is in- 
 tended to rear. Breeding cages may be made of 
 any dimensions ; but the most convenient size is 
 about a foot in height, eight inches in breadth, and 
 from four to five in depth. One species of cater- 
 pillar only ought to be introduced at a time, as 
 many of these devour each other. 
 
 A quantity of earth, mixed with a little sand, 
 of about two inches in depth, should be placed at 
 the bottom of each box. The mould should be of a 
 fine vegetable kind, if possible, which does not so 
 easily dry and consolidate as clayey soil. The 
 cages should be placed in some cool place, away 
 from the influence of the sun, as many species pass 
 to the pupa condition, remain in that state, and 
 transform into the perfect insect under the surface 
 of the earth. Consequently, if the earth is dry 
 and hard, they will be unable to burst from their 
 confinement. 
 
 " Those who endeavour to rear the Death's Head 
 Hawk Moth, often fail after the insect has passed 
 into a chrysalis state. I have been informed," says 
 Mr L. W. Clarke, " by a person who has several 
 times bred them, that his method is to moisten the 
 chrysalis every morning with warm water, and then 
 
222 INSTRUMENTS USED IN COLLECTING, &C. 
 
 place it in the breeding cage, near the fire, by which 
 means the fluids of the body are preserved, and the 
 case is not too strong for the perfect insect to pene- 
 trate. He also says, that if they be placed in a 
 bark stove with plants, and covered with the earth, 
 they will not perish, as is the case with those gene- 
 rally exposed to the temperature of our climate." * 
 
 * Field Naturalist's Magazine, vol. i. p. 48. 
 
 END OF VOLUME THIRD. 
 
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