COLLECTING OVA, LAHVM, AND PTJP& 101 



as bright as possible ; for some species will not lay in a bright light, 

 while others will not do so without it. 



Again, while some deposit their eggs within a few hours of 

 quitting the pupa case, others do not lay for several days. With 

 regard to the latter, it is frequently necessary to feed them while 

 in captivity, by placing in the box a piece of rag or sponge that has 

 been dipped in honey or syrup. 



Each batch of ova should be carefully examined with a view to 

 knowing them by sight on a future occasion. A sketch should be 

 made in your note book, showing every detail that you can make 

 out with the aid of a good lens. Then observations concerning the 

 season, colour of the eggs, the situation in which deposited, arrange- 

 ment, and any other useful particulars, should be entered. 



In the next chapter some hints will be given concerning the 

 management of ova and the rearing of the larvae from the time of 

 hatching. 



Collecting Larva 



This occupation is generally far more productive to the 

 entomologist than searching for ova. The latter are very small, 

 usually well concealed, and to be detected only by a careful 

 scrutinising use of the eyes ; but the superior size of the larvae, 

 the frequent bright colouring, and the fact that they are easily 

 beaten from their hold, render the searchings of their hunters 

 comparatively easy and fruitful. 



Before setting out on a larva-hunting expedition, there are a few 

 requisites to prepare. These include not only the implements for 

 your work in the field, but also the cages in which you intend to 

 rear your little captives. The latter are described a little later on 

 under the head 'Rearing Lepidoptera,' and the former we will now 

 briefly summarise. 



The outfit must consist of a quantity of suitable boxes, a stout 

 hooked stick, a strong net, and a white material to place under the 

 herbage while you are ' beating.' 



' Larva boxes ' are usually made of zinc, and have little sliding 

 doors in the lids, so that the lids need not be removed while out of 

 doors after the fragment of the required food plant has been 

 inserted. Such boxes are not by any means essential. Small tin 

 boxes will answer all purposes nearly as well, providing a number 

 of small holes be made in them for the admission of air. Chip 

 boxes are also fairly satisfactory, but these also should be per- 



