TAXIDERMY. 103 



the day-butterflies suspend themselves by their 

 posterior part. In this state of lethargy, these 

 beings require no more assistance ; their own sub- 

 stance suffices for their nourishment. At the period 

 fixed by nature for each species, the insect emerges 

 from its tomb, ornamented with the liveliest colours; 

 and thus the proprietor will be recompensed for his 

 trouble, by procuring the most recent specimens, 

 which he could not otherwise have obtained. 



Method of drying and preserving the Caterpillars or 

 Larvae of Insects. 



I believe M. Laurent was the first who discovered 

 the method of preparing larvae, preserving their 

 forms, and, as much as possible, their colours. 

 He has doubtless rendered a great service to ento- 

 mology, by presenting in a single picture all the 

 metamorphoses of the butterfly ; the caterpillar at 

 different ages, the chrysalid above and below, the 

 eggs, even the excrement, which has very singular 

 forms ; nothing is forgotten, even to the species of 

 ichneumons, and flies, which attack the caterpillars, 

 and live at their expense. 



There are several methods of preserving them : 

 we will point out that which seems to us the most 

 easy, and which requires the least apparatus. 



We must provide ourselves with a chafing- 

 dish or earthen furnace, and when the coal or 



