BUTTERFLIES, SPHINGES, AND MOTHS. 221 
ought to be made of hard wood, having its sides 
and front covered with gauze or fine muslin. In the 
inside is affixed a box or tube for the reception of 
a small phial for inserting plants, on which the 
caterpillars are accustomed to feed, which it is in- 
tended to rear. Breeding cages may be made of 
any dimensions ; but the most convenient size is 
about a foot in height, eight inches in breadth, and 
from four to five in depth. One species of cater- 
pillar only ought to be introduced at a time, as 
many of these devour each other. 
A quantity of earth, mixed with a little sand, 
of about two inches in depth, should he placed at 
the bottom of each box. The mould should be of a 
fine vegetable kind, if possible, which does not so 
easily dry and consolidate as clayey soil. The 
cages should be placed in some cool place, away 
from the influence of the sun, as many species pass 
to the pupa condition, remain in that state, and 
transform into the perfect insect under the surface 
of the earth. Consequently, if the earth is dry 
and hard, they will be unable to burst from their 
confinement. 
« Those who endeavour to rear the Death’s Head 
Hawk Moth, often fail after the insect has passed 
into a chrysalis state. I have been informed,” says 
Mr L. W. Clarke, “ by a person who has several 
times bred them, that his method is to moisten the 
chrysalis every morning with warm water, and then 
