gg METHOD OF BREEDING INSECTS. 



must consequently die, which but too frequently happens from 

 mismanagement. 



Some seasons are more favourable than others for the pro- 

 duction of Caterpillars, and to keep each kind by themselves 

 would require an immense number of cages, as well as occupy 

 much time in changing the food, and paying due attention to 

 them. To obviate this, some persons have large breeding ca- 

 ges, with a variety of food in them, which must be cleaned 

 out every two days, and fresh leaves given to the caterpillars ; 

 as, on due attention to feeding, the beauty and vigour of the 

 coming insects will much depend. 



The Larvae of insects, which feed beneath the surface of 

 the earth, may be bred in the following 'manner : Let any box, 

 that is about three or four feet square, and two or three feet 

 deep, be lined internally with tin, and a number of very 

 minute holes be bored through the sides and bottom. Put 

 into this box a quantity of earth, replete with such vegetables 

 as the Caterpillars subsist on, and sink it into a bed of earth, 

 so that the surface may be exposed to the different changes of 

 the weather. The lid should be covered with brass or iron 

 net-work, to prevent their escape, and for the free admission 

 of air. 



CABINET. Such is the advanced state of Entomological 

 science, that a collection of British Insects requires a cabinet 

 of from 50 to 100 drawers, which are generally about fourteen 

 or fifteen inches in length, and eighteen in breadth, and about 

 two inches deep. The bottoms should be lined with cork, of 

 about the sixth of an inch in thickness. It must be chosen as 

 free from cracks and knots as possible. Each drawer must 

 have a lid of glass, with an edge of wood very nicely fitted, so 

 as to prevent, as much as possible, the admission of air or dust. 

 This lid must rest on a rabbit. 



The young Entomologist should obtain a cabinet of about 

 thirty drawers, arranged in two tiers, and covered in with 

 folding doors. There is a great convenience in this size, as the 

 cabinet is rendered more portable, and at the same time ad- 

 mits of having another of the same size, being placed above the 

 top of it, as the collection increases, without injuring the uni- 

 formity, and thus the drawers may be augmented to any 

 extent. It is immaterial whether the cabinet is made of ma- 



