76 UP AND DOWN THE BROOKS. 



ever found for caterpillars are empty yeast-powder 

 or preserve cans. In some families it is a problem 

 to know what to do with all the plum, peach, or 

 tomato cans that accumulate. But when there is 

 an amateur entomologist in the family, that diffi- 

 culty vanishes. There is nothing so adapted to 

 caterpillars, according to my experience. Tins 

 are better than bottles. There is a warm, un- 

 healthf ul atmosphere in a bottle that is not found 

 in a tin can. Rinse the tins that no juice may re- 

 main from the former contents, for that will draw 

 ants. One can keep caterpillars in such a tin till 

 they are fully grown, and oftentimes they will go 

 up and form their chrysalides on the mosquito- 

 bar that is tied over the top to prevent the cater- 

 pillars from running away and to allow a good 

 circulation of air. Lady-bug larvae and other 

 creatures will come to perfection in such tins, 

 which should be put in some shady place where 

 the sun will not heat them. One may learn the 

 habits and observe the customs of all the creatures 

 one can find in the neighborhood, without spend- 

 ing anything unless it is for shoe-leather. 



But do hide your tins and yourself when you 

 are at such work, or you will hear a window open, 

 or else it will open without your hearing it, and 

 you will have to endure some such talk as this : 



" What are you petting there ? " 



" Caterpillars." I stand up and suffer a 

 faint wonder to pass through my mind if I am 



