154 ON SERICICULTURE. 



of the moth, its settling down at the base of the cocoon, the 

 rapid growth of its wings, its grand colouration and peculiar 

 skittish movements on being disturbed, all combine to render 

 it one of the most attractive of insects. 



Aultercea Pernyi; through the kindness of the present 

 Lord Derby, late Minister for Foreign Affairs, cocoons of 

 this race were sent to me last winter from Newchwang, North 

 China, together with acorns of the species of oak on which 

 they fed. I have reared several young oaks, which resemble 

 much the variety named the Luccombe oak.* 



The moths began to emerge during the winter, indeed 

 several emerged en route. Only about 10 per cent, of the 

 cocoons produced insects; they paired freely and vigorously, 

 deposited a large supply of eggs, which were distributed to 

 many experimenters. The worms emerged, at first black 

 with red heads ; after the first moult becoming green and 

 very much resembling in the rest of their career the Yama- 

 Mai larvae. Being double-brooded in China, they fed more 

 vigorously and grew more rapidly than the Yama-31a'i 

 larvae, and, in consequence, a good many emerged from 

 cocoon in the autumn. We have however, I think, pre- 

 served enough to perpetuate the stock another season. 



The race is evidently hardy and possessed of great con- 

 stitutional vigour ; like S. Cynthia it seems to require a 

 warm, dry locality, and should the difliculty of its being 

 double-brooded be successfully got over, I think it will do 

 well in the warm and sunny soils of Great Britain. 



Of the three American species, Homhyx Promethea^ 

 J3. Polyphemus and J3. Cecropia, it has been found very 

 difficult to rear the first named ; the larvae fed sparingly on 

 chose-cherry, but evidently are difficult to rear. 



* These young oaks have been referred by Dr. Hooker of Kew to the 

 Quercus Mongolica. 



