LEl'IDOPTERA. 245 



without any degeneration, for many j^ears. It, hovv'ever, died out a<- 

 last, from the effects, perhaps, of too great a difference in the cHmate, 

 or from those accidents, still so little understood, to which even the 

 insects of our own country are subject. This was unfortunate, as 

 this species is one of those whose acclimatisation in Europe is the 

 most to be desired, for it would render grccit service to the cultivators 

 of silk. 



It remains for us to speak of two other species, which are very 

 important, inasmuch as their domestication in Europe is now an 

 accomplished fact. We mean the Attacus or Bombyx of the Ailanthus, 

 and also that of the Castor-oil plant. 



Every one has heard of the Ailanthus silkworm {Aitacus \Bombyx\ 



Fig. 227. — Cocoon ot Attacus (Bombyx) Mylitta. 



Cynthia), whose acclimatisation in Europe was materially assiated by 

 the admirable and persevering efforts of M. Guerin-Me'neville. 



The Ailanthus worm is a native of Japan and of the north of 

 China. It was brought over in 1858 by Annibale Fantoni, and sent 

 to M. Gue'rin-Meneville by MM. Griseri and Colomba, of Turin. 

 When it is nearly full-grown it is emerald green, with the head, the 

 feet, and the last segment of a beautiful golden yellow, and has black 

 spots on each segment. This worm, in its full-grown state, is 

 represented by Fig. 228 ; in the same figure are also represented the 

 eggs and the cocoon. The moth has the abdomen yellowish under- 

 neath, with little white tufts. Its wings are traversed by a white 

 band, which is followed exteriorly by a line of a bright rose ; each 

 wing is also marked by a lunula or crescent-shaped spot. 



In 1858 M. Guerin-Me'neville presented to the Academic des 

 Sciences of Paris the first moths and the first eggs laid in France of 

 the Attacus Cynthia. This able entomologist demonstrated very 

 soon afterwards — ist, that the caterpillars of this insect can be reared 

 in the open air, and with scarcely any cost for management ; 2ndly, 

 that it produces two crops a year in the climate of Paris and the 



