Bt/ the Rev. Arthur P. Morres, Vicar of Brilford. 131 



on its back proved too much for it, and it never fully developed. 

 On December 7th I found another perfect moth out ; and on looking 

 at the remaining chrysalis found it nearly dead. It was rigid, and 

 extended to its full extent; and from the experience I had had with 

 the others I perceived that the moth must have been for some hours 

 trying to burst the shell, but could not manage it. It could only 

 just move the last segment of its tail, and was almost dead. I at 

 once took action. With a fine needle I very gently opened the 

 shell on the under side of the leg, which immediately burst out. 

 But the moth still remained helpless. I then freed the head, which 

 showed full vigour, as, on setting it down it began to drag itself 

 about, shell and all, but still it could not extricate itself. I then 

 tried to break the shell just below the thorax ; and there I found 

 the mischief lay, for, directly I succeeded in loosing that, out popped 

 the moth at once, and ran up its stick and remained perfectly at 

 rest. For some time I feared the wings would not develop, but, on 

 putting it in front of the fire, so as to receive full warmth, they 

 began to grow, and in less than half-an-hour they had attained their 

 full size. This was peculiarly gratifying, as I felt that I had 

 entirely saved the life of the insect; for I am certain that in 

 another half-hour it would have been smothered within the shell of 

 the chrysalis ; and it turned out eventually to be one of the finest 

 moths I had obtained. 



Thus, out of my eighteen chrysalides, I succeeded, notwithstanding 

 my absence at the most critical juncture, to hatch out eleven perfect 

 moths, three others had not been perfect in the pupae state, and I 

 did not expect to be successful with them ; and only three actually 

 died — two of them, I believe, from the change of temperature 

 during my absence : and though the process entails a good deal of 

 care and trouble, it well rewards anyone who has a natural taste for 

 such things, as well as affording them the pleasure that is always 

 to be found in overcoming difficulties. I am sure anyone would 

 meet with the same success who followed the same tactics ; although 

 one cannot but allow that to be successful entails constant attention. 

 On writing to one of my friends, who is a very old and ardent 

 entomologist, he wrote me back saying, " I congratulate you on your 



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