Ene ae: 
blackish, tipped with black bristles. Both in habit and appearance, the 
larva of G. vermiculafa reminded me strongly of those of Callhmorpha 
dominula, and a similar remark has been made by Lord Walsingham 
in regard to another species of the genus. I confess, I cannot see the re- 
semblance to the Acronycfe pointed out by Mr. Bruce, except in a most 
distant way. ‘There is a rather smaller and different form of Gnophala 
found in Chaffee Co. in August: I fancied it might be distinct, but one 
sent to the Smithsonian Institute is named G. vermiculata. 
me 
To Free Breeding Cages from Disease Germs. 
BY Gro. D> iui 
In the vicinity of Brooklyn during the last few vears there has pre- 
vailed a disease which has carried off not only the caterpillars many 
have endeavored to raise, but verv often Jarve have been found in the 
open air dead or dying. Caterpillars seem to differ very much in their 
sensitiveness to the disease, but in confined boxes, where it’ has pie- 
vailed, all succumb to its influence. In the open air in the Autumn 
full grown caterpillars of Sa/urnia Io., may be some years seen hang- 
ing dead from the branches on which they have fed Last Summer I 
saw a field of grain almost devoured by the Army Worm Leucania unt- 
puncta, when suddenly the disease appeared among them and in a day 
or two none seemed to be alive. ‘The stalks and ground were however 
covered with dead caterpillars, 
However much we may desire the disease in the open air to destroy 
injurious insects, we do not want it in our breeding boxes, to destroy 
our rarities, 
How shall we rid ourselves of it? If the cages be made in part or 
all of wood we would advise their utter desiruction. 
If large numbers are to be raised use the open air and netting. If 
smaller numbers or rarities use glassware. 
Tam told ty Mr. Hermann Meeske, who has done considerable ex- 
perimenting that he has found no good re-ults to come from washing 
. with soap, benzine, alcohol or carbolic acid water. 
The only successful way of destroying the seeds of the disease was 
to thoroughly boil the feeding cages. He found that the germs or 
microbes would withstand any temperature below the actual boiling 
point. 
We give his experience to those who may have suffered from the 
disease as the writer has during the last 4 or 5 years. 
