20 REARING OF INSECTS FOR CABINETS. 



mutilated, or to have their beautiful and variegated colors somewhat 

 rubbed off. 



It is a pleasing recreation to furnish for these creatures a cradle, a 

 habitation, food, a grave, and, subsequently a species of immortality; and 

 all this is done by rearing them from the caterpillar state. When nature 

 has laid aside her winter garments and she begins to adorn the trees with 

 foliage, then is the season for sallying forth in quest of the prey. The 

 pursuit may be continued during the whole summer with advantage, for 

 as long as there are green leaves and ripening fruits, the booty may be 

 gained. 



Several paper or chip boxes of four or five inches in length, in order 

 to keep the various species, and the naked, and hairy and spiny ones 

 separate, with a layer of soft moss or leaves at the bottom, constitute 

 essential parts of the equipment. Some collectors use a small forceps 

 to take the caterpillars with, but I always employ those with which na- 

 ture has furnished me — my thumb and finger. Whenever you see the 

 edges of leaves eaten off, you may be sure there is or has been a cater- 

 pillar there. Sometimes you can ascertain their presence on a tree or 

 bush from the excrements lying on the ground immediately below. It 

 is also well to spread a white cloth of two or three yards dimension on 

 the ground or hold your expanded umbrella under a tree or bush and 

 then strike the branches with your cane. The caterpillars will fall down 

 uninjured and are then easily taken. If you can reach the leaf on which 

 they are feeding always pluck it off and put leaf and all into the box. 

 Be careful in every instance to note the species of leaf or plant on which 

 your prey is feeding, so that you may go afterwards and procure the 

 food appropriate to it, for most caterpillars rather perish than eat any 

 other vegetable substance. This is an essential point, and if not carefully 

 observed, you may not succeed in your operations. Always pluck off 

 some of the leaves, so that your captives may have provision enough for 

 a day or two, after which you must go out and procure fresh food, which 

 must however, never be given them if it is wet — rub it dry before you 

 feed them. There are a few species of hairy and spiny caterpillars which 

 must be gently handled, or their exceedingly fine and sharp spines pene- 

 trate the fingers and occasion a smarting pain, but this is easily removed, 

 by rubbing the part with a little oil. All other caterpillars are perfectly 

 harmless. 



When you come home, you must take out your caterpillars and place 

 them in the nurseries. These are either boxes of a foot long and six 

 inches high, the tops of which are covered with gause or bobbinet — it 

 would be belter if the sides were composed of this material also, to allow 



