282 THE BUTTERFLY VIVAUIUM. 



Throughout the summer of 1855 the Botanic 

 Garden was constantly crowded with visitors to see 

 the "Leaf-insect," and at last Mr.M'Nab,the curator, 

 was compelled to give notice that it would only be 

 shown during four days of the week, as it was found 

 that the continual disturbance was unfavourable to 

 the health of the insect. During the principal part of 

 its life, after the first moult, it so closely resembled 

 the leaves of the plant, that many visitors declared 

 they could see nothing, and the Phyllium had to be 

 stirred and made to move, when they were con- 

 vinced, by seeing it crawl from the plant on to 

 the finger of the attendant. 



Mr. Murray, who described the insect in the 

 " Edinburgh Philosophical Journal," considers that 

 the rearing of Leaving-insects will become a common 

 amusement to those who have a love of natural 

 history, and that these curious creatures Avill be- 

 come as much the usual pets of our conservatories 

 as Canary-birds are of our drawing-rooms ; and it is 

 evident that other kinds of beautiful insects might 

 be reared as successfully, if the same care were 

 bestowed. 



The Leaf-insect appears to be peculiar to the 

 Eastern World. Three of the thirteen known species 

 have come from the Philippine Islands, three from 



