BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 221 



ought to be made of hard wood, having its sides 

 and front covered with gauze or fine muslin. In the 

 nside is affixed a box or tube for the reception of 

 i small phial for inserting plants, on which the 

 caterpillars are accustomed to feed, which it is in- 

 ended to rear. Breeding cages may be made of 

 any dimensions ; but the most convenient size is 

 about a foot in height, eight inches in breadth, and 

 rom four to five in depth. One species of cater- 

 illar only ought to be introduced at a time, as 

 many of these devour each other. 



A quantity of earth, mixed with a little sand, 

 f about two inches in depth, should be placed at 

 he bottom of each box. The mould should be of a 

 ine vegetable kind, if possible, which does not so 

 asily dry and consolidate as clayey soil. The 

 ages should be placed in some cool place, away 

 rom the influence of the sun, as many species pass 

 o the pupa condition, remain in that state, and 

 ransform into the perfect insect under the surface 

 f the earth. Consequently, if the earth is dry 

 nd hard, they will be unable to burst from their 

 onfinement. 



Those who endeavour to rear the Death's Head 

 Hawk Moth, often fail after the insect has passed 

 into a chrysalis state. I have been informed," says 

 Mr L. W. Clarke, " by a person who has several 

 times bred them, that his method is to moisten the 

 chrysalis every morning with warm water, and then 



