LÉPIDOPTÉROLOGIE COMPAREE 357 



Keeping the piipae during the winter and subséquent management. 



It is best not to store the pupae at once, as a fevv always f ail to 

 harden and begin to give forth a curious nutty smell. Thèse are 

 best destroyed as they affect others. The sound pupœ are then laid 

 on well baked cocoa-nut refuse in a shallow glass-topped tin box. 

 They are next covered with carefully sterilised sphagnum moss 

 and the box tightiy closed. A dozen boxes so prepared, are buried 

 in simiJar refuse or in sphagnum in a large biscuit tin, which is 

 kept outside until October, wheii it is overhauled to note whether 

 there is going to be any partial émergence sucii as often takes 

 place with the females then. Earl)- in February, the pupae are 

 taken out and placed on ûbrc in large muslin covered flower-pots, 

 and covered with a thin layer of moss. It is necessary to watch 

 them carefully, as the feniale moths, having lost their instinct to 

 climb will not do so, and are thus spoilt. About 5.30 P. M., ail the 

 females are taken out and placed singly in chip boxes to expand 

 their wings; this expansion may be delayed three or four hours. 

 It is inadvisable to kill the females early, as they are full of a 

 green liquid which exudes when the insect is pinned. The best 

 plan is to keep them alive for two days and then, after killing 

 them, to prick them on the under side of the thorax and soak up 

 any exuding liquid with blotting paper before it ruins the fur. 



