fCqpib0}rtetist'0 



JANUARY 



OVA] 



Beyond a continuation of the winter's work of searching ior pupae, &c., 

 which will be found specified under the months best adapted for commencing 

 it, the Lepidopterist will not find much to do in the way of out-door occupa- 

 tion this month. Now is the time to ramble into fresh districts, with the 

 view of discovering new localities, the character of which may often be 

 judged of by the trees, herbage, and general appearance, although no insect- 

 life be stirring. With a view to future reference, the result of such visits 

 should not fail to be recorded in the Entomological Diary, which no one 

 engaged in the study should omit to keep. 



While egg-searching may be carried on at those times when little or 

 nothing is stirring in the insect- world, and 



"The banks that wore a smiling green, 

 With rank defilement overspread, 

 Bewail their flowery beauties, dead," 



the occupation will have its advantage in sometimes rewarding the searcher 

 with a large batch of perhaps some "good" species, besides furnishing him 

 with a knowledge of the habits of many previously unknown. A collection 

 of eggs of Lepidoptera, preserved upon the objects on which they have been 

 laid, would be very interesting. Insect eggs are, of course, generally laid 

 upon, or near the food of the future larva ; and therefore the localities 

 where known species occur should be more especially chosen for the work of 

 searching. 



Although many eggs are laid late in the spring, or during the summer, 

 soon after the imagos emerge, the eggs of several autumnal species, as well 

 as of many which do not pair until the spring, may be found during the early 

 months of the year, by careful searching. Unless the eyesight is very good, 

 it is desirable for the searcher to call in optical aid in the shape of spectacles, 

 by which he would be enabled to clearly see a minute object like the egg of 

 a lepidopteron at a distance of one or two feet. His chances of success will 

 be thus very much increased. Bright or sunny days should be chosen by 

 preference for egg hunting. By exercise the eye will become rapidly 

 accustomed to this kind of work, and proportionate success may be expected. 

 Many species, particularly some of the bombyces, begin to lay almost 

 immediately after they emerge. Other kinds, notably some of the butterflies, 



