286 THE BUTTERFLY VIVARIUM. 



In proposing to attempt the rearing of exotic 

 insects, one ought not to forget the Beetle tribe ; 

 and when something more is known of the larva) of 

 exotic Beetles, it may certainly be attempted with 

 the same success as that which has attended the 

 Ortbopterous insect Phyllium Scythe. When this 

 shall be attempted, Avhat glorious things we shall 

 be enabled to see expand before our eyes ! Only 

 let us imagine some of the Curcullonidce, just 

 issuing fresh from the pupa state; Prcepodes 

 Regalis, for instance, a Curculio from St. Domingo, 

 a specimen of which is preserved by the Linna?an 

 Society, mounted as a gem, in a gold ring ; or the 

 Diamond Beetle, in all the fresh glory of his first 

 escape from the nymphinc prison. But I must say 

 no more on exotic Beetles at present, or there 

 Avould never be an end of talking — even of the superb 

 Curculionidce alone, of Avhich the reader may be 

 easily convinced when we refer him for further 

 information to the work of Schcenhcrr on the 

 genera and species of Curcv.lionidce, which extends 

 to fourteen ponderous volumes. 



In conclusion, I recommend inexperienced en- 

 tomologists establishing a Vivarium for the first 

 time, to attempt one without water, as more easy 

 to manage ; and to confine themselves for the first 



