66 



himself. He told me that no one suspected the object of 

 his journey; that was in October 1862. My mission to 

 Japan was finished November 1st, 1862. I started for 

 Europe by the English mail packet, and undertook the 

 charge of carrying these eggs to Europe. This was by no 

 means an easy matter on board a steam ship in the Tropics. 

 If the eggs were kept in the cabin, a great risk of their 

 premature hatching was incurred, for the temperature there 

 in the month of November is above 95° F., and in the 

 Red Sea 105° and more. I followed the advice of M. Simon, 

 and placed the eggs in an ice box on board ship, though 

 often but little ice was therein. To this precaution is due, 

 in a great measure, their safe arrival in Europe in good 

 condition. I arrived at the Hague early in January 1863, 

 and at once sent out the eggs. The greater part were sent 

 to the French Government and to the Imperial Society of 

 Acclimatisation, according to promise I had made to my 

 friend M. Simon." 



Actias Selene, or Phalaena Attacus. 



This species feeds on the Munsooree (Goriaria nipalensis), 

 The cocoon is enclosed between two leaves. The silk does 

 not appear to be windable, but it is of a coarseish kind and 

 might be spun if it could be obtained in sufficient quantity. 

 It is very desirable that the applicability of this silk be 

 investigated. 



In addition to the Munsooree this worm feeds on the 

 wild cherry and walnut. The diameter of the cocoon fibre 

 is, as will be seen in the table, page 68, x - * 00 of an inch, and 

 it has about an average strength and tension, and thus 

 presents no obstacle to its use. The cocoon is rather large, 

 being 3 inches long and lg- inches in diameter. The 

 entomology is illustrated in Plates XIII. and XIV. 



Attacus Edwardsia. 



In the Indian Museum there are two specimens of an 

 Atlas moth, from Darjeeling, of an intensely dark colour, 

 and possessing sufficient structural divergence from A ttacus 

 Atlas to warrant Mr. Moore's affirming it to be a distinct 

 species. It has been named Attacus Edwardsia. Mr. Gosse 

 has the following interesting note respecting it : — 



As Darjeeling is 7,000 feet above the level of the sea, 

 and has a climate in which rain and snow are abundant in 



