SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 81" 



interesting addition to the reptile collection was the birth of 

 twenty-eight specimens of the Fer-de-Lance. The East Indian 

 Russell's viper gave birth to fifteen young, and a number of 

 litters of copperhead snakes and rattlesnakes were born. Several 

 batches of serpents' eggs were successfully incubated. 



The following is a census of the Reptile Department, as 

 compiled on December 31, 1911: 



REPTILES OF THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



Chelonia 



Crocodilia 



Lacertilia 



Ophidia 



Batrachians 



137 1,106 



THE INSECT COLLECTION 

 Raymond I>. Ditmars, Curator. 



During the summer of 1911 the Insect Collection increased 

 to a total of forty cages. This collection is very popular. Several 

 thousand cocoons of various species of silk-spinning moths, both 

 of the old and the new world, were on exhibition. Visitors had 

 daily opportunities to watch the perfect insects emerge from 

 their cocoons and spread their wings. The more important 

 cocoons came from Japan, eastern China, India, Mexico, Central 

 America and the United States. Some of the moths were bred, 

 and the broods of feeding caterpillars were exhibited as special 

 features. 



In a series of three cages was an exhibit showing the dif- 

 ferent stages of the commercial silk worm — the feeding larvae, 

 a bank of cocoons of different grades and colors, and mounted 

 specimens of the moths. The finest moths emerging from the 

 various cocoons were mounted, dried and placed on tablets of 

 cotton, over which was fitted glass covers. On the back of each 

 mount was placed a descriptive label, giving the name and 

 habitat of the specimen. These mounts have proven popular as 

 souvenirs, and seem to serve a double purpose. They are of 

 value from an educational point of view, because they may be 

 handled by children without injuring the specimens. Through 

 the sale of these mounts (at very reasonable prices), visitors 



