FURTHER NOTES ON CERTAIN SILK-PRODUCING BOMBYCES. 169 
respect. to the time and duration of the pairing of the species 
mentioned in my notes: Promethea moths I found to pair in the 
afternoon, or early in the evening ; most other species very much 
later. The pairing of Yama-Mai and Promethea is very short; 
that of Pernyi and Cynthia is of very long duration; that of 
Cecropia is long also. The pairing of Polyphemus with some 
moths is very short ; with others it lasts from about ten or eleven 
o’clock in the evening till next morning. The pairing of my Atlas 
moths lasted from about ten or eleven o'clock in the evening till 
‘seven o'clock p.m. of the following day. Of four pairings of 
Actias Selene two were of short duration, from about two o’clock 
in the morning till about five (three hours) ; the last two from the 
same time till about seven p.m. the following day. The average 
quantity of fertile eggs obtained from the four pairings was about 
the same from each female; the duration of the pairing having 
had no effect that I could detect upon the quality or quantity 
of fertile eggs; and it was the same with respect to the fertile 
eggs obtained from Polyphemus. 
Another point of importance which I hope to be able to clear 
up this next summer—if I receive the Indian species I expect— 
is this:—Are the pupe of Lepidoptera from tropical or circa- 
tropical countries affected by frost, when sent to England or 
any other northern country during the winter months? Does an 
abnormal cold cause the death of the pupa, or delay the exit of 
the moth, till, sometimes, the summer of the following year ? 
From my note on Atlas in the January number, it will be seen 
that the cocoons received early in 1877, which had travelled 
during the winter, did not produce a single moth during the 
summer, 1877, and that some of the pupe died. 
From a letter (sent to one of our French Consuls in British 
India, which I received with one from the Consul himself on 
January 25th, 1879) I quote the following :—‘‘ The dispatch of 
live cocoons to Europe is rather delicate, and requires to be done 
about the month of April.” As far as I can judge from experience, 
I believe the above statement to be perfectly correct ; but I think, 
however, that if the cocoons could be protected from any severe 
frost during the voyage, they would receive very little or no check 
at all, and it would be preferable to receive them in winter if the 
cocoons are to be distributed. 
This last winter (1878-9) the cocoons of North American 
z 
