REARING EXOTIC INSECTS. 285 



and also to collect and forward chrysalides whenever 

 an opportunity of safe and speedy transit occurs. 



One of the most striking plates in Abbot's 

 " Insects of Georgia" is that representing the trans- 

 formation of a large and handsome Moth, to which 

 he gives the old Linntean name, Phalcena Regia, re- 

 presented in my Plate VIII. Nos. 1 and 2. The sin- 

 gular Caterpillar of this Moth has been selected by 

 Dr. Boisduval as one of the types which he has 

 engraved in his well-known work on JLepidojrtera. 

 Abbot describes this Caterpillar as feeding on the 

 Hiccory, and as being much dreaded by the slaves 

 of the Southern States, who called it " the horned 

 devil," in consequence of its ferocious appearance. 

 Nevertheless, it is perfectly harmless, though all the 

 arguments in the world would not persuade the Ne- 

 groes to that effect, even though Dr. Abbot handled 

 it fearlessly in their presence. It is of a fine light 

 green, the head and singular spines being finely varie- 

 gated with orange. I recommend young entomolo- 

 gists to write at once to some friend in America to 

 obtain eggs of this species ; for a brood of these very 

 magnificent larva?, with their noble crest of spines, 

 would form a group of such striking interest in a 

 Vivarium as not to require the addition of any 

 other attraction. 



