162 THe OtTtTawa NATURALIST. [ November 
these hairs are not always of a yellowish tinge, as in many | 
specimens they are of a dark rusty or reddish-brown colour, or 
even nearly white. The body colour also varies, and in the paler — 
specimens a more or less broken lateral blackish stripe, as well as 
bands of the same colour across the back between each of the 
segments, may be seen. When full grown, in autumn, this 
Woolly-bear spins a cocoon similar to that of the Salt-marsh 
Caterpillar, and passes the winter as a chrysalis inside this 
coarse silken cover. In May and June, of the following year, 
the moths appear. These do not differ very much, the wings of 
both sexes being snowy white, marked with a few black dots. 
There is a row of black spets down the centre of the abdomen, 
and another on either side; between these there is a longitudinal 
orange stripe. 
To rear these insects in confinement, an old tin box, if this is 
clean, will answer asa breeding cage ; and it is no trouble at ail to 
get food plants, as dandelion, plantain,and other weeds are common 
everywhere. If specimens of the Salt-marsh Caterpillar or of the Yel- 
low Woolly-bear are collected in autumn, they should be given fresh 
food every day or two, and, when this is done, all the old food and 
any dirt which may be present, should be removed trom the cage. 
As both of these Woolly-bears make their cocoons in the fali, 
some dry leaves should also be put in the cage, among which they 
will spin up. Two or three specimens only should be placed in 
each cage. In early spring the Hedghog Caterpillar may be found 
commonly under boards, etc., in fields or along roadsides. These 
do not require much attention, and soon after collection they will 
make their cocoons. 
The three kinds of Woolly-bears, as stated above, are all ex- 
ceedingly common ; but, yet, how few of us know much about ~ 
them? It is very often the commonest objects about which least 
is known. 
In Nature Study work, it is well known that the presentation 
of some object in which life is noticeably apparent is bound to 
induce thoughtful consideration ; therefore, some living animal, 
no matter how small, will prove of special value in the develop- 
ment of an active mind in those pupils before whom such objects 
are placed. 
During all such observations as are above suggested the 
alert teacher will find many points of value in connection with the 
work of teaching Nature Study. 
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