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larvae. Whether the eggs are laid in the buds or not, 

 remains to be discovered, but it is certain that the young 

 larvae are within them. As the buds expand, and the 

 young caterpillars increase in size, the catkins become 

 dead and contracted in the part Avhere the cause of the 

 mischief lies concealed. The malformation, then, will 

 always betray them. The willow bushes, growing near 

 woods where the insects are known to be, will be 

 found most productive; but great attention will be re- 

 quired in rearing those obtained. In order to ensure 

 success place the gathered catkins indiscriminately in a 

 confectioner's glass jar, in order that the little larvEe may 

 not be lost when they leave their old habitations. The 

 great quantity of contained moisture will soon begin to 

 evaporate, and as it cannot escape through the glass, it 

 will cause the catkins to become mouldy. They are 

 then no longer fit for food, and the young larvfe leave 

 them to search for something more wholesome. 



In confinement they thrive well upon the expanding 

 leaves. A second jar, which is sweet and clean, should 

 now be ready to receive them ; this must contain a few 

 willow twigs bearing a good supply of advanced foliage, 

 and having their ends in a bottle of water to keep them 

 fresh. The caterpillars can now be transferred to this 

 as they present themselves, and when they have all been 

 taken from the first jar, it may be cleaned and prepared to 

 receive them again when they require another supply of 

 food. AVliilst young they are very delicate, and in their 

 removal care should be taken not to handle them too 

 roughly ; and it is better to move them with a blunt pin 

 or something of the kind, rather than with the fingers. 

 When large enough they may be placed in one of the 

 flower-pot cages. 



All small larvae should be kept at first in jars as described, 

 and supplied constantly with their proper food, as many. 



