REARING EXOTIC INSECTS. 279 



arrived by post, were hatched, on the 9th and 10th 

 of May, others continuing to come out till June. 

 Two of the specimens thus hatched were entrusted 

 to the care of Mr. M'Nab, the intelligent curator of 

 the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. They refused the 

 leaves of the Guava, upon which they were first 

 placed, and also of several other plants of the Myrtle 

 family. They were then tried upon a Euchsia with 

 equally unfavourable results, but at last the com- 

 mon European Myrtle was tried, and this time the 

 insects seemed to recognize suitable food, and soon 

 became healthy and vigorous feeders, and never 

 sought to leave the plant. 



The appearance of the larva in its first stage 

 is not altogether unlike that of the Lady-bird, 

 having only six feet, disposed in a similar manner. 

 It is, however, much larger, and tbe leafy character 

 already shows itself in the upper joints of the legs, 

 and slightly in the edge of the abdomen. It is at 

 first of a brownish yellow colour, but when it has 

 once settled to feed, it soon assumes a bright green 

 colour. It bears its tail slightly curled up, just 

 about as much as the curve of the Myrtle leaf; but 

 the curve would be the wrong way, were it not that 

 it walks back downwards, being found on the under 

 side of the leaf, in Avhich position it is so like the 



