32 A WARNING TO TYRO COLLECTORS. 



nettles which we had planted in a flower-pot for the provision 

 of their caterpillars. From two of the number appeared duly, 

 in all their bright array of black and scarlet, blue and gold, 

 the insects to be naturally expected ; from the third issued a 

 brood of small ichneumons. Of the fourth, fifth, and sixth, 

 the "gold coats " assumed a questionable blackness, and being 

 hence led to examine how they might be filled, we found, in- 

 stead of the wrinkled wings and folded members of butterfly 

 occupants, three little brown barrels within each, which we 

 presently recognised for the pupas of two-winged flies ; and 

 from these accordingly came forth nine as ordinary -looking 

 little animals of that description as were ever set eyes on buz- 

 zing in a window, distinguished, however, by their parasitic 

 origin from the household herd. 



We see by the above instances, which might be multiplied 

 by hundreds, how precarious the prospects not only of the 

 fature moth or butterfly, but also of the expectant collector ; 

 and let not the tyro in their pursuit vainly flatter himself that, 

 because the chrysalides he possesses may have been exhumed 

 from earth, and are still buried in his boxes, or are enshrouded 

 in silk, or encased in wood, they are slumbering in safety to 

 adorn his cabinet ; for vain, in numerous instances, will prove 

 the caterpillar's ingenuity, and labour, and instinctive care, 

 and vain, also, the collector's every precaution to guard 

 against the intrusions, somehow and at some time effected, of 

 the insidious race Ichneumon. 



