xliv European Butterflies and Moths. 



which may be casually attached to them, but without interfering with any part of the cocoon. 

 They ma}- then be removed to another box, and will require no further attention. Pupee which are 

 constructed underground should also be removed, but, if possible, without breaking the cell in 

 which they are generally enclosed. Many larvs of Noctiue remain unchanged in these cells for a 

 long time, some throughout the whole winter, and others from May to August ; and special care is 

 necessary not to take them out of the ground too soon. All pupas which are constructed on or 

 under ground require particular attention, and especially a certain amount of moisture. It is 

 often difficult to regulate this exactly ; if the pupas are kept too dry they generally dry up, and if 

 they are kept too damp they are liable to rot. The bottom of the pupa-cage should be strewn 

 several inches deep with earth or sand, covered with a layer of moss, on which the pupjE and 

 cocoons should be laid. These should be again loosely covered with moss, and the ground must be 

 moistened with rain-water occasionally by means of a funnel, and the covering of moss should be 

 sprinkled at the same time. Or the pupaj may be laid on a layer of blotting-paper, and covered 

 over with another layer consisting of four or five thicknesses, and the topmost sheet should be 

 occasionally dipped in water, which will soak down to the lower ones and keep the pupa; 

 sufficiently damp. Or the pupa-cage may be so arranged that we can put a flat plate into it 

 containing a little water, and stretch some loose stuff over to lay the pupns on, when the vapour 

 of the water will save the necessity of damping the pupa; themselves. When the weather is dry 

 the pupje will generally require to be kept damper, and when the weather is damp they will not 

 need much attention. 



Hybcrnating pupx- should be placed in an unheated room, at least at first, where they will be 

 e.xposed to the cold, for the hardest frost will not hurt them, and it appears as if they require a 

 certain amount of cold for their development. As long as it freezes they ought not to be damped. 

 If we wish to " force" the pupai, or to make the perfect insects appear sooner, we must wait till 

 they have been fully exposed to the frost for a day or two, and then bring them into a warm room, 

 setting them at first in the coolest place, and afterwards nearer the fire. When pupae are being 

 forced in a warm room, frequent damping with tepid water is necessary. Forcing is strongly 

 recommended by Dr. Knaggs in the case of insects which appear to be originally natives of warm 

 climates, and which are not thoroughly acclimatised in our own, as is the case with many of the 

 rarer Spliingidcu. 



There should be a free current of air through the pupa-cage to prevent mould. Two 

 opposite sides should have large openings in them covered with muslin, or the greater part of the 

 lid should be open and covered with muslin, as well as the roof and inside walls, so that when the 

 insects appear they may be able to climb up it, and suspend themselves in the position most 

 suitable for their proper development. 



The pupx of ]\Iicro-[.cpidoptcra can be kept best in the breeding-cages, and allowed to 

 develop themselves there. Frequent damping with water is necessary for these also, especially 

 when they are kept in warm rooms. Dr. Knaggs, in his handbook on the practical rearing and 

 collecting of Lepidoplcra, decidedly condemns damping, except in the case of forcing pup^e. But 

 much will, no doubt, depend on climate and situation, which vary considerably even within the 

 limits of the British Islands ; and whereas damping may be absolutely necessary in some cases 

 in a dry locality or during dry weather, it may be positively injurious when these conditions are 

 reversed. But the young collector will learn more from his own experience — if possible guided, 

 in the first instance, by the practical instruction of a friend already versed in these matters— 

 than from any amount of written directions. 



