samouelle's 



the surface, and, in this state, are far from uncom- 

 mon — they may be obtained during the months of 

 March and April, and should be placed in breeding 

 cages, on the surface of earth, and covered with 

 moss, which must be sprinkled with water from 

 time to time, and in the month of May the perfect 

 insect will make its appearance. The Rev. W. Kirby 

 has observed that they invariably emerge from the 

 pupa state at the hour of noon. 



All authors have described the caterpillars as 

 solitary : we once met with a female of this species, 

 a cripple, and the only specimen, and it was in all 

 probability from this circumstance that it was cap- 

 tured. This specimen deposited in the collecting box 

 a number of eggs ; these were taken care of, and 

 twenty-seven larvae were hatched ; they were placed 

 in a breeding cage and supplied with lime leaves — 

 they throve well for some time, but their number 

 gradually diminished : in about three weeks, as they 

 grew in strength, one or more was always found 

 dead in the bottom of the cage. This continued until 

 a single specimen was left, and the solitary individual 

 in all probability fell a sacrifice to the wounds he had 

 received. Most caterpillars feed at night while there 

 is dew on the leaves, and it is not impossible chat, for 

 Lhe want of liquid, they may have glutted on each 

 other; however, as they appear of a solitary nature in 

 a natural state, they may be pugnacious in a confined 

 one. The larvce may be beaten from the lime-tree 

 in August. The figure is of the natural size. 



