May— J'lne iSS.vJ 



PSYCHE. 



W.\ 



PSYCHE. 



CAMBRIDGE, MASS., MAY-JUNE 18S3. 



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REARING LEPIDOPTERA. 



It will be gratifying to those entomol- 

 ogists who recognise the great importance 

 of the knowledge of the early stages of insect 

 life, to learn of the attention that is being 

 given to this department of study by Mr. S. 

 L. Elliot, of New York City. For the last 

 few years, this gentleman has been indefati- 

 gable in his lepidopterological studies, and 

 especially in larval collections and breeding 

 from the egg. Fortunate in the ability to 

 devote his entire time to the work, and actu- 

 ated by an enthusiasm that scarcely recog- 

 nises the need of any respite from the ab- 

 sorbing "labor of love" — very valuableand 

 important results have already followed his 

 labors. The life-histories of a number of 

 rare species have been worked out. New 

 species have been discovered, and so-called 

 species shown to be simple varieties. Im- 

 mense numbers of larvae have been collected 

 and reared upon their food-plants, descrip- 

 tions of the new forms, with the aid of Mr. 

 Henry Edwards, have been taken, and thou- 

 sands of perfect insects have been obtained 

 for the cabinets of those who prize perfect 

 forms. His success in carrying lepidoptera 



through their wintei" pujiation, bv means ot" 

 a method and appliances devised by himself, 

 has never, we believe, before been equalled. 

 Several thousands of pupae have been carried 

 through the past winter with scarcely any 

 loss except that unavoidably resulting from 

 parasitic attack. We know of no one else in 

 the United States, who is rearing the larva? 

 of lepidoptera so successfully and on so large 

 a scale. 



J. A. L. 



ROOK NOTICES. 



It is understood that Mr. Wni. Saunders, 

 of London, OntaiMo, has in preparation and 

 has nearly completed a volume upon "The 

 Insects of our Fruits and Fruit-trees." The 

 great need of the intbrmation that this vol- 

 ume will present, has long been felt, and it 

 is very gratifying to know that the want is 

 soon to be supplied. The larger portion of it 

 is already in type. Much labor has been be- 

 stowed upon its preparation to render it as 

 complete as possible and prefectly reliable. 

 It will make a volume, as we learn from the 

 author, of nearly 450 pages. Almost every 

 species noticed will be illustrated, requiring 

 for the purpose over 400 figures. It will be 

 issued by the well known publishing-house 

 of Lippincott & Co., of Philadelphia, in their 

 best style, and will be oflfered to the public at 

 a price (probably $3) that will bring it with- 

 in the reach of all who need it. From the 

 distinguislied ability of the author, his famil- 

 iarity with fruit-culture, and the special efforts 

 made by him to render the volume all that it 

 should be, we are confident that it will prove 

 to be a standard work upon the subject of 

 which it treats, and that it cannot fliil of com- 

 manding an extensive sale. J. A. L. 



[Mr. Saunders' book has been issued since 

 the above notice was written.] 



The third part of the third volume of the 

 Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of 

 Natural Sciences, which came to hand in 

 April, is devoted to the memory of Joseph 



