1881.] THE SECRETARY ON THE INSECTARIUM. 653 



copulation was frequent ; a large number of eggs were obtained, 

 but many are not fertile, perhaps owing to the stock already 

 having been interbred. Young larvae hatched on the 14th instant, 

 and are growing well. Food-plant Plum. 



Attacus cynthia. — This species commenced to emerge towards 

 the end of the month, but only 4 sfiecimens have yet appeared. It 

 is usually the latest species of all. 



Attacus pernyi. — Perfect insects of this species were on view 

 throughout the month. Fertile eggs obtained, which commenced 

 to hatch 30th instant, and are doing well. Food-plant Oak. 



uittacus mylitta. — This species commenced to emerge on 28th 

 instant, a beautiful male being bred ; on the following day a male 

 and female emerged, the first male was therefore preserved. Eggs 

 obtained, which are probably fertile. 



Attacus atlas. — Throughout the latter half of the month speci- 

 mens of this species have emerged, and many fine ones are preserved. 

 Eggs will probably be obtained later ; many more still to come out. 



Actios selene. — The first specimen of this species emerged on the 

 last day of the month. 



Actias luna. — During the early part of the month specimens of 

 this species emerged. Eggs have been obtained, but it is doubtful 

 if they are fertile. 



Telea promethea. — The cocoons of this species have as yet only 

 produced a large Ichneumon-fly (Opkion, sp.inc). Many visitors 

 have evinced great interest on seeing these large parasites in the cage 

 produced from perfectly-formed Lepidopterous cocoons externally, 

 and internally a stout well-made oval cocoon of the Hymenoptera. 



Anthcera yama-mai. — The larvae of this species produced from 

 eggs have done fairly well ; many are now nearly full fed aud about 

 to spin. Food-plant Oak. 



British Lepidoptera. 

 Rhopalocera. 



Papilio machaon. — Imagines of this species have been on view 

 almost daily throughout the month. 



Anthocharis cardamines.— Jivivm^ the first half of the month 

 imagines of this species were bred. 



Aporia cratcegi.—'Sim&W larvae of this species were obtained and 

 fed up, producing the first imagines 27th instant. The three stages 

 of larva, pupa, and imago are now exhibited. 



Apatura iris. — This species has unfortunately not done well. I was 

 unable to detect them in the act; but the numbers slowly diminished, 

 and I am led to the conclusion that the larvae are cannibals. On 

 several occasions I observed them worrying each other. Only 

 2 out of 24 larvae have been saved ; the first of these is now a pupa, 

 the other feeding up. There were 6 larvae found dead. 



Limenitis sihylla. — This species was bred from small larvse 

 obtained from the New Forest and Germany ; and the three stao'es 

 were on view during the last ten days of the month. 



