278 THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



But I must at once proceed to describe the 

 highly successful experiment upon which I chiefly 

 ground my hopes of future success. I refer to the 

 recent rearing of the beautiful and interesting 

 Leaf-insect, Phylliimi Scythe, which was success- 

 fully reared from the egg in one of the plant-houses 

 of the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. Mrs. Black- 

 wood, the Avife of Major Blackwood, H.E.I.C.S., Avhen 

 residing with her husband in India, in the Assam dis- 

 trict, where he had been stationed, found this insect 

 plentiful in all its stages in the valleys below Cherra- 

 Poonjie, in the Kasiah Hills which form part of the 

 southern boundary of the low grounds of Assam. She 

 collected specimens, and placed them on a Guava 

 tree in front of her own residence, Avhich they did not 

 attempt to leave till they attained their perfect state. 



On returning to Europe, Mrs. Blacliwood endea- 

 voured to bring some living specimens with, her ; 

 but, after keeping them in health during greater 

 part of the journey, they sickened and died while 

 crossing the Mediterranean. But this enterprising 

 lady-naturalist Avas not to be beaten by one defeat, 

 and she immediately made an attempt to introduce 

 the insect by means of imported eggs. These were 

 duly procured, but the first batch Avas unsuccessful ; 

 and it was not till 1854 that some eggs, which had 



