1 
o8) 
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 
interesting addition to the reptile collection was the birth of 
twenty-eight specimens of the Fer-de-Lance. The East Indian 
Russell’s viper gave birth to fifteen young, and a number of 
litters of copperhead snakes and rattlesnakes were born. Several 
batches of serpents’ eggs were successfully incubated. 
The following is a census of the Reptile Department, as 
compiled on December 31, 1911: 
REPTILES OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK 
Species. Specimens. 
Chel nite sos ees ote ee 36 276 
(Crocodiles. wo cee ee 6 orl 
Ware emia ses nats. has ireles eee 28 235 
Oona Peer a seats Meee ae 49 348 
BALE ACMIAIIS < arene aeostetaneltede eee 18 210 
137 1,106 
THE INSECT COLLECTION 
Raymond L, Ditmars, Curator. 
During the summer of 1911 the Insect Collection increased 
to a total of forty cages. This collection is very popular. Several 
thousand cocoons of various species of silk-spinning moths, both 
of the old and the new world, were on exhibition. Visitors had 
daily opportunities to watch the perfect insects emerge from 
their cocoons and spread their wings. The more important 
cocoons came from Japan, eastern China, India, Mexico, Central 
America and the United States. Some of the moths were bred, 
and the broods of feeding caterpillars were exhibited as special 
features. 
In a series of three cages was an exhibit showing the dif- 
ferent stages of the commercial silk worm—the feeding larvae, 
a bank of cocoons of different grades and colors, and mounted 
specimens of the moths. The finest moths emerging from the 
various cocoons were mounted, dried and placed on tablets of 
cotton, over which was fitted glass covers. On the back of each 
mount was placed a descriptive label, giving the name and 
habitat of the specimen. These mounts have proven popular as 
souvenirs, and seem to serve a double purpose. They are of 
value from an educational point of view, because they may be 
handled by children without injuring the specimens. Through 
the sale of these mounts (at very reasonable prices), visitors 
