8 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II. , PART I. 



expanding) into the nervures of the wings. The common large 

 Saturnia, feeding on cinnamon, requires six or eight hours to 

 harden it for flight. 



The bottom of the breeding cage should be furnished with a 

 zinc tray about three inches deep — zinc, as it does not corrode, 

 is preferable to iron or tin ; fine earth and rotten wood, well 

 mixed together, should be laid in the tray, and over this a layer 

 of damp moss. luto the moist earth a branch of the larva's food 

 should be stuck to keep fresh ; the oftener the leaf is changed 

 the better ; once a day at least is absolutely necessary to obtain 

 fine full-grown specimens. Light and air also are required. 

 The cages are best swung from the ceiliug by a pulley, to 

 facilitate the drawing up and down ; they are thus secure from, 

 ants and rats and children's fingers ; native servants also are too 

 fond of meddling. Larvae may be collected from shrubs and 

 trees by placing a sheet or table cloth under the branches, and 

 beating them with a long stick. An umbrella with a hooked 

 handle makes a good portable substitute, and is otherwise useful. 

 This plan however of beating for caterpillars is attended with 

 much inconvenience in this country from the showers of ants 

 which fall from each blow. Some larvae form themselves move- 

 able domiciles, which they never quit, except in the winged state. 

 These tribes consist of Oiktictis, Cryptothelea, Psyche, and the 

 numerous Tinee ; these latter are more familiarly known by 

 the name of " clothes' moths.' The first fabricate their dwell- 

 ings of pieces of stick laid lengthways, and as they increase 

 in size they open one side of their habitaculum between two 

 bits of stick, and let in another of proper size and length, 

 which by means of their strong jaws they detach from the 

 plant on which they are feeding. The second tribe are smaller 

 and more delicate, using in the fabrication of their dwellings 

 small pieces of leaves and the cast skin of their own heads. 

 The third, more delicate still, simply weave their own silk. 

 These three species are the most remarkable in their natural 



