154 Method of Rearing Lepidoptera. 



hy the sea, tliey make thick calcareous deposits. Agassiz has de- 

 scribed such beds as having considerable extent in the Florida seas." 



>[; 1^ ^ ^ ^ ^Jji 



"Though in the midst of the breakers (the reef of the coral atoll), 

 the edge stands a few inches, and sometimes a foot above other parts of 

 the platform ; the incrusting Nidlipores cover it with varied tints, and 

 afford protection from the abrading action of the waves." 



Tliere are no coral reefa in the Cincinnati Group, so far as now known, 

 but the Nullipores attach themselves to dead corals under other condi- 

 tions. 



Meiliod of Rearing Lepidoptera — Entomological Memoranda. By A. G. 



Wetherby. 



The writer having had some experience in rearing various species of 

 Lepidoptera, offers in the following pages an account of the method em- 

 ployed, hoping it may be of service to those who desire to become better 

 acquainted with the habits and transformations of this most interesting 

 and beautiful division of insect life. 



In the study of Lepidoptera, as in the study of everything else, close 

 acquaintance with the object studied is of the first importance, and this 

 can only be had when the species are under the eye at all times. It is 

 a fact, not so well known as it should be, that by imitating natural con- 

 ditions so far as they are favorable, and avoiding them so far as unfa- 

 vorable, insects may be reared in much greater perfection than they 

 grow native, as too great heat, too much wet, drouth, violent agita- 

 tion by storms, and other vicissitudes to which they are exposed in a 

 state of nature, may be almost wholly avoided, and the entire life of 

 the insect become a period of undisturbed and quiet growth. 



In-order to insure such success, the first essential is a good breeding cage, 

 or vivarium. Having tried various plans, I now offer one which will 

 meet all requirements, and which any handy boy of twelve or fourteen 

 years can construct for himself, at an outlay of one dollar or less. 



Get tivo pieces of inch pine or poplar board, two feet long and sixteen 

 inches wide, and foxir pieces one and one half inch square, and twenty 

 inches long. To one side of one of the pieces of board nail two strips 

 of inch stuff, ^'across the grain,'' near the ends, to prevent the board 

 from warping, and to serve as the feet of your cage. To each corner 

 of the other side nail one of the four pieces above mentioned. You 

 now have the bottom and corner posts of your cage. To the other end 



