26 THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



Purple Emperor ; though few, except very indefa- 

 tigable collectors, may hope to see this beautiful 

 creature reared in a Vivarium; the success of the 

 old " Aurelian" Moses Harris, however, described in 

 another place, may tempt many to try the expe- 

 riment. The larvae may be obtained from districts 

 where Oak woods are abundant ; and if properly fed, 

 fresh branches being placed in one of the bottles 

 each day, the change to the chrysalis state may 

 often take place healthily. Even then it is doubt- 

 ful whether the proper progress will be made 

 in the pupa state to secure the production and 

 emission of the perfect insect. However, with care, 

 and starting with several caterpillars, one or two 

 perfect specimens may be hoped for, the splendour 

 of which will amply repay any trouble they may 

 have cost. But this gratification must necessarily be 

 of very brief duration, for when the exquisite beauty 

 of the azure wings of this superb insect has been 

 displayed in the sunlight, after their first full expan- 

 sion, and even while their increasing power is being 

 tested by alternately expanding and closing them, 

 the natural instinct of the insect to take its lofty 

 flight over the tops of the highest Oaks will begin to 

 be felt, and for more than a day or two it will be 

 impossible to keep the prisoned Emperor within the 



