4tJ THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE 



In feeding the larvae, some entomologists leave the 

 muslin bag over the limb where the eggs were deposited 

 until the eggs hatch, and allow the larvae to feed on the 

 leaves thus enclosed. This is a good way to obtain chry- 

 salides for butterflies with little expense of labor in feed- 

 ing and caring for the larvae, if only the perfect insets 

 are desired, but it gives very little chance for observations. 



If it is desirable to study the larvae as they grow (and 

 nothing about entomology can be more interesting), the 

 eggs, with the leaves on which they are placed, should be 

 removed to some vessel where they will not dry up, and 

 where they will be secure from the attacks of ants. 

 Ordinary jelly-glasses with tin tops are good for this 

 purpose. When the eggs begin to hatch, the young 

 larvae may be transferred to another jelly-glass, or, if 

 there are only a few of them, they may be left for a day 

 or two in the same dish, introducing tender leaves for 

 them to eat. Mr. Edwards suggests the use of tubes 

 for a few of the larvae, so that they may be more easily 

 observed while young than in a larger dish. The time 

 of depositing the eggs should be noted, also the time of 

 hatching, and the shape and color of the young larvae, 

 making observations every twelve or twenty-four hours. 



The larvae of butterflies moult or shed their skins 

 from four to five times in coming to maturity, and 

 usually they present different colors and markings each 

 time they change their outer covering. These notes, 

 taken at least as often as they moult, and a description 

 of the egg and chrysalis, with the dates at which these 

 changes take place, form tlie life-history of the species. 

 To this should be added any other items of interest that 

 may be observed, such as the food-plant, whether solitary 



