THE REARING OF LEPIDOPTERA, &C. 31 



Asterius you can possibly find it is a species subject to much variation ; 

 there is no trouble at all cither to find or raise the larva ; it is light-green, 

 banded with velvet black, it feeds on the leaves of carrots, parsnips and allied 

 plants ; if the worm be touched it sends, from behind its head, a forked, yel- 

 low affair which hurts nobody. 



I would also say of P. Turnus that it presents innumerable varieties ; this 

 species, as is well known, is dimorphic, having two kinds of females, one 

 yellow like the male, and the other black, but there occur forms between the 

 two which are neither yellow nor black, but pepper-and-salt, mixed up of 

 both colours ; others there are where the upper surface is black and the under 

 yellow, others where the two wings of one side are black, female, and those 

 on the opposite side yellow, female, others where one side is male (yellow), 

 and the other is female (black). 



There are varieties of Colias Philodice greyish black on the whole upper 

 surfaee. 



Among the moths is also found much variation ; Telea Polyphemus occurs 

 in many colours, greyish, brownish, reddish, bright yellow, and almost white, 

 and varies in expanse from 2| to over 6 inches. 



Should any one, by following my suggestions, be fortunate enough to breed 

 any of the above or other curious varieties, I would hold it a great favour if 

 they would communicate the intelligence to me with the full particulars. 



1 would also ask my friends to direct their attention to the raising of the 

 larvae of Smerinthus Myops, Xra. Astylus, Sm. Modestes and Darapsa Versi- 

 color, also to secure Catocala Relida; these species are always in high demand, 

 and will command splendid exchanges. In the appended synopsis will be 

 found the names of the food-plants of the Smerinthii, as well as of many 

 others, to which I beg the attention of the reader, as well as also to remind 

 him once again that I need great numbers of all species, rare as well as the 

 more common, whether butterfly or moth ; every year I need and can use 

 thousands. 



A FEW FINAL REMARKS. 



Entomology, in common with every other earthly pursuit, whether of 

 pleasure or business, requires the expenditure of some money for books, ma- 

 terial, occasional specimens, &c., &c., and as these are often to be obtained 

 from a distance, in the larger towns or cities, I would advise you never to 

 send money loose in a letter ; if it goes anywhere within the United States 

 use a Post-Office money order, or if there is no money order system at your 

 place, get the letter registered ; in sending money to Canada, get the letter 

 containing it registered. If you send money to Europe, and the amount be 

 not too large, use the Post-Office money order system it is admirable ; the 

 amount you deposit with your Postmaster is delivered into the hands of your 

 European friend without any trouble to yourself; if the amount you wish to 

 send be large, then, of course, the better way is to get from the Messrs. Drexel, 

 3d Street, Philadelphia, or Exchange Place, New York, a gold draft payable 

 to the order of your European correspondent, which you send him by mail. 



In Continental Europe every species has its price, according to rarity or 

 beauty, and in exchanging abroad it is almost invariably necessary to also 

 affix a cash value to each species you send ; as we have no fixed prices in this 



