296 THE CULTURE 



: When they have remained thus coupled j 

 on the fecond piece of itufF where they 

 were placed, about eight or nine hours, 

 which will be till the evening of the day 

 when you placed them there, you mufl 

 feparate them by gently drawing them 

 afunder, the male from the female j the 

 male may be thrown away as of no further 

 ufe, unlefs you happen to have a fuperfluity 

 of females, and then you may keep a few 

 of the males which remain mofi: vigorous 

 to pair with them. It is better however, 

 if you can fo adjuft it, to let none of your 

 moths couple a fecond time ^ for the eggs 

 produced thus are not fo good, nor do 

 they give fo flrong a breed as thofe which 

 are laid after the firil pairing. In fepa- 

 rating the male and female, take care not 

 to hurt the latter j you mufl draw them 

 afunder foftly and gently, taking fome time 

 to do it, and if you find any which will 

 not come afunder without danger of hurt- 

 ing, quit them for fome little time and go 

 to others, after which you may return to 

 thefe. Some hold them by the wings while 

 they feparate them, but I think if you 

 hold them gently by the body, it does as 

 well. 



The 



