180 CATERPILLARS. 
being, asa rule, placed in different boxes, a course which will save a 
great deal of trouble when we get them home. It is well, too, to be on 
the look-out for cannibal caterpillars, and to make ourselves familiar as 
soon as possible with their appearance. Such bloodthirsty creatures as 
Cosmia trapezina, Scopelosoma satellitia, and Crocallis elinguaria, should 
obviously be left in no company but that of their own species, though 
even this is not always safe. And any collector who may meet with the 
ugly caterpillar of the goat-moth, Cossus ligniperda, had better put it in a 
tin box, if he wishes to get it home safely, as its powerful jaws will make 
short work of any wooden receptacle. 
Supposing, however, that the collector has arrived at home in safety 
with his captures, he has still a great deal to do before the perfect 
insect appears as an addition to his cabinet. As soon as possible the 
caterpillars should be placed in a roomy box, furnished with a supply of 
the plant upon which they feed, and so arranged as to admit air and a 
moderate amount of light. Much light is not a good thing, except in the 
case of the hairy Bombyces, which seem to need it in order to keep 
damp from their long coats, and revel in the hot rays of the morning 
sun. But air is imperatively necessary; and in the cases of some 
species nothing less than absolute exposure in the open air will suffice to 
bring them to maturity. An example of this occurred to me last year. 
I had a number of caterpillars of Polia Chi, which I had reared from the 
egg. I had been warned that they required very liberal ventilation, and 
this object I sought to effect by putting them close to an open window. 
But it was allin vain, my caterpillars died off one by one, and not one 
lived to undergo the change into a chrysalis. Matters of this description 
can only be learnt by experience, and it is almost impossible to give any 
definite rules with respect to them. It is well to remember, however, as 
a general rule, that caterpillars want plenty of fresh air, and will ale 
thrive in the close atmosphere of a living room. They should be kept, if 
possible, either in an out-house or in some place without a fire, and with 
abundant ventilation, but not exposed to the direct rays of the sun. 
With respect to cages, the best are undoubtedly those of the ‘‘ meat- 
safe” pattern, made of wood, with sides of perforated zinc, and a glass 
front, which are sold by the London dealers for 2s. 6d. each. These, 
however, are somewhat expensive when one goes in largely for breeding, 
and are likewise not very well suited for single specimens. I have made 
use now for some years of small tin canisters, such as are used to contain 
cocoa; these, with a piece of gauze stretched overthe top instead of a lid, 
‘and confined in its place by an indiarubber band, answer very well, 
though, of course, those caterpillars yhich go into the earth to change 
must be placed in another cage when approaching the period of their 
transformation. 
For very young caterpillars I use the lids of the same canisters, with 
a gauze lid as before. But more experienced collectors than myself 
obtain the greatest success by placing the young larvee in a tumbler, with 
a piece of glass laid on the top, thus forming an air-tight house, which 
will keep the food fresh for some time. And this is a matter of great 
importance. The great majority of caterpillars object very strongly to 
— Ss 
