BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 201 
ON PRESERVING EGGS OF LEPIDOPTERA. 
The eggs of this order of insects are subject to 
great variety, not only in the form, but also in the 
markings which ornament their surface. They are 
very easily preserved. Swammerdam’s method 
was to perforate them with a fine needle, and then 
press out their contents, afterwards inflate them 
with a glass blowpipe, and fill them with a 
mixture of oil of spike and resin. 
OF LARVZE OR CATERPILLARS. 
Immersion in spirits of wine is the most imme- 
diate and effectual way of destroying caterpillars ; 
and they may be long kept in it without injuring 
their colours. 
For insects which undergo their metamorphoses 
under the ground, a larger breeding cage than recom- 
mended at page 220, will be found more effectual. It 
ought to be from three to four feet square, and from 
two to three feet deep,'with a tin covering externally ; 
through the sides and bottoms of which small holes 
should be pierced. This box should he filled with 
earth, having a quantity of vegetables placed in it, 
“such as are fed on by the caterpillars intended to 
be bred, and then sink it into a bed of soil, allow- 
ing the surface to be exposed to the changes of the 
atmosphere. This box should have a covering of 
VOL. Ill. 0 
