MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



searching for moths. Then in collecting abandoned 

 nests, cocoons were found on limbs, inside stumps, among 

 leaves when gathering nuts, or queer shining pupae- 

 cases came to light as I lifted wild flowers in the fall. 

 All these were carried to my little conservatory, placed 

 in as natural conditions as possible, and studies were 

 made from the moths that emerged the following 

 spring. I am not sure but that "Moths of Limberlost 

 Cabin" would be the most appropriate title for this 

 book. 



Sometimes before I had finished with them, they 

 paired, mated, and dotted everything with fertile eggs, 

 from which tiny caterpillars soon would emerge. It 

 became a matter of intense interest to provide their 

 natural foods and raise them. That started me to watch- 

 ing for caterpillars and eggs out of doors, and friends of 

 my work began carrying them to me. Rej^eatedly, I 

 have gone through the entire life process, from mating 

 newly emerged moths, the egg period, caterpillar life, 

 with its complicated moults and changes, the spinning of 

 the cocoons, the miraculous winter sleep, to the spring 

 appearance; and with my cameras recorded each stage 

 of development. Then on platinum paper, printed so 

 lightly from these negatives as to give only an exact 

 reproduction of forms, and with water colour medium 

 I copied each mark, line and colour gradation in most 

 cases from the living moth at its prime. Never was the 



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