162 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



are merely hairy, in the second moult the spines are already distinctly 

 seen. Around one cluster of the larvae a green spider had drawn his 

 net and taken up his abode among them, no doubt finding it very 

 convenient to have his prey within such easy reach. Probably the 

 ravages of spiders are more destructive to this species than almost any 

 other cause, since the eggs are deposited near the ground, in places where 

 spiders are always very numerous. 



Mr. Edwards also has females of Ph. marcia set for eggs, and hopes 

 to determine the relationship, if any, between this species and tharos. 



In obtaining eggs of Limenitis arthemis I have also been very 

 successful, partly, I think, on account of a method of keeping the parent 

 butterflies in good health and spirits, devised some years ago, and which 

 has given very satisfactory results. 



A notch is cut in the side of any empty wooden box, through which a 

 branch of willow or other appropriate food-plant is passed, care being 

 taken to select a leafy spray so as to partially fill the box with foliage ; it 

 is then covered with gauze, tacked fast- on one side and part way on the 

 adjoining sides, that on the fourth side being held down by a piece of 

 wood fastened to the remaining flap of gauze. This renders easy the 

 examination of the contents at any time. Now a saucer of raw dried 

 apples, sugared and partly filled with water, is put in and the cage is com- 

 plete. Butterflies like L. arthemis will live in such a vivarium for two 

 weeks and more after their capture, and appear to enjoy the food provided 

 immensely, laying many more eggs than if enclosed in a bag and allowed 

 to perish of hunger and thirst. 



I have often captured specimens and dropped them in upon the pile 

 of dried apples ; instead of fluttering about and endeavoring to escape, 

 they instantly unrolled their tongues and feasted for several minutes upon 

 the repast prepared for them, without a motion of the wings. 



So far,, my fifteen females of L. arthemis have laid a very large number 

 of eggs, probably over five hundred, and many of them are still alive. 

 The butterflies at first observe their usual custom of depositing the eggs 

 upon the tips of the leaves, but become reckless after a while and lay 

 them anywhere. I counted considerably over one hundred upon the 

 cloth covering the box. 



I had the rare good fortune to catch also a female of L. proserphia, 

 which has laid 3 1 eggs. 



