HOME-GROWN SILKWORM-GUT 211 



entire, to avoid injuring the eggs in any way; exam- 

 ine both sides of all the leaves of shrubs in a prom- 

 ising locality. 



Cecropia eggs are of an ovoid shape. On the 

 upper side is a reddish spot, and they are about as 

 large as quite small bird shot. The polyphemus lays 

 white, brown-banded eggs which are larger than 

 those of cecropia. Both species deposit eggs in a 

 variety of ways, sometimes singly, sometimes in a 

 short row, or in peculiar little masses. 



Last, and least satisfactory of all, is the method 

 of attempting to find the caterpillars. They hide 

 away so cunningly as to be nearly undiscoverable, 

 even when the signs of their presence are unmis- 

 takable. Such signs are wholly- or partly-eaten 

 leaves and the presence of excrement on the ground 

 beneath. Just previous to the actual spinning, the 

 worm may crawl along in an excited fashion, as 

 though anxious to reach a certain spot on schedule 

 time; it may then be found almost anywhere, run- 

 ning up or down a tree trunk, or along the road, or 

 across a walk. Such specimens do not ordinarily 

 give a satisfactory strand of gut, as the chances are 

 against their having eaten of the kind of leaf that 

 results in the best variety of that product. 



In case you have secured a reasonable number of 

 cocoons, twenty or so, it is best to put them away 

 in a cold place during the Winter. A good plan is 

 to place them in a small screen-cage and expose them 



