CHRYSALIDES OF BUTTERFLIES. 



In the above statements the hibernating cocoons have been generally kept in 

 mind, as they require greatest care. The larva of a butterfly may safely be allowed 

 to form its chrysalis on the top or side of the breeding cage, if netting or cheese- 

 cloth lines the interior walls, and may be left in position during the short period 

 of pupation. Larvae should not be permitted to crawl over or molest newly 

 formed chrysalides, as their tender coverings may be injured. All pupae may be 

 safely removed if desired. Buttons of silk to which they are attached may be 

 gently disengaged by the point of a pin or needle. Little chips may be cut out 

 of the sides of boxes at the point where the chrysalis is attached. Chrysalides do 

 not require spraying as a rule. The silk fastenings of spun cocoons may be cut 

 from the sides of a glass jar with a knife blade, and such cocoons may be removed 

 from wood, tin or twigs by gently severing the fastenings. No pupa should be 

 disturbed, however, until its outer casing has hardened. 



HATCHING. SEX DISTINCTIONS. 



Do not cut open silken cocoons. It may not kill or injure the pupa to do so 

 but it frequently dotes. When the pupa is ready to hatch be sure that it is not 

 so covered up that the adult cannot escape, and see that there is something handy 

 for the newly hatched feet to climb up and cling to while the wings expand. A 

 cloth-lined box or one whose sides and top are rough afford good clinging places. 

 Do not attempt to assist the adult in getting out of the pupa-case. Some authors 

 think the larger, heavier pupae yield females, because the body of the female moth 

 or butterfly is larger than that of the male, but the rule has many exceptions. You 

 will find it an interesting experiment to try and sort your cocoons so that the males 

 and females will be in different hatching boxes when they emerge. You will find 

 it is largely guess work. Sex distinctions in larval and pupal stages undoubtedly 

 exist, but no inflexible rule has been published by which the male can be told 

 from the female caterpillar or cocoon. Note the time of day at which your various 

 species of pupae hatch. Some varieties can be fairly depended upon to emerge 

 during certain hours. Each pupil should have a considerable number of hiber- 

 nating cocoons during the winter in order to acquire the knowledge of caring for 

 them which comes from experience. 



SELLING SETS OF COCOONS. 



Long established customs are not easily changed, and the practice of those 

 having collections has been to pay extravagant prices for a few cocoons or adults, 

 rather than purchase at a low price a set of those from a particular locality. The 

 collector must charge high prices for a few because he cannot dispose of the 

 remainder of his output. It may be that this rule is so firmly grounded in custom 

 that it cannot be altered but it is an absurd rule. Gene Stratton Porter in "A 

 Girl of the Limberlost" suggested a better method when she stated that her heroine 

 was offered $300 for a complete set of the moths of the Limberlost. Dr. William 

 Barnes paid me five cents apiece for the butterflies and moths of Truckee, each 

 species being limited to 1 00 specimens. This enabled me to breed and collect 

 everything I found. He received at least a few species that were new to science 

 and many that were quite rare, and the value of these doubtless compensated him 

 for varieties which were comparatively worthless. All dealers write me for price 

 lists and I am working hard to formulate reasonable lists for sets of the Lepidoptera 

 of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Some specimens are well worth $5, for they 



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