196 [Proc.B.N.F.C, 



* II. — Larva rearing. The rearing of specimens from the larva 

 has many advantages ; by this means insects are secured in a state 

 of perfection which is never to be found in those taken on the 

 wing, and many insects of great beauty may be obtained in abun- 

 dance from the larvae, which are seldom to be met with in the 

 imago state, e.g., the Tiger Moth (A. caja) is one of the most 

 showy and beautiful of our moths, but we seldom find it in its per- 

 fect state, and when so found, much of the rich soft down is 

 rubbed off the wings. This is also true of the Buff Tip, (P. buce- 

 phala), yet any collector may, with ordinary care, obtain his first 

 year as many specimens of both these handsome moths as he re- 

 quires. The larva of A. caja actually obtrudes itself upon his 

 observation, in early spring and summer, on almost every dock, or 

 when larger crawling across his path. The larva ol bucephala may 

 be taken in the autumn. Some beech, or oak, or elm, or lime, for 

 they are omnivorous, may be observed to have one of its branches 

 denuded of leaves, there will be found a colony of Buff Tips at 

 work, and almost any number may be obtained. It is also most 

 interesting to watch the transformation of the larvae, the changing 

 of skins, and varying colours and appearances after each change, 

 the grotesque attitudes of some, as C. vinula or N. zic-zac. I will 

 give another extract from my journal, to illustrate the interesting 

 scenes which take place at times in the breeding cage. " May 5th. 

 Got two larvae on heather, pale brown, dorsal line and sub-dorsaj 

 pale, lateral line broad white, oblique strokes meeting on back, 

 particularly conspicious on nth and 12th segments, where they 

 are black. I have just been watching one of these changing its 

 skin, the process seems a painful one, the larva for a long time 

 going through violent exertions, drawing in its sides as if taking a 

 long breath, and then inflating them until a liquid exudes from 

 the five fore segments, as if perspiration from over exertion. 

 When this had continued for about fifteen minutes, the skin burst 

 at the juncture of the first and second segments, and by degrees 

 the larva crawled forth, apparently much larger than it had been 

 before the skin had come off. The old head, however, still re- 



