1892.1 



THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



41 



history of these numerous livinf^ gems ; this it is that impels us forward 

 utterly forgetful of all our past trouble and helping us forward to fresh 

 discoveries in the science, the study of which is such a never-ending 

 pleasure. 



It was this constantly recurring trouble of setting that is such a 

 task at certain seasons, that set me thinking some years ago how to 

 devise some scheme by which much of this work might be got over 

 earlier in the yiear, when time was not so valuable, for it is impossible 

 to give that calm attention, in the height of the season, to the setting 

 these very small insects require. After a time I managed to get a 

 forcing apparatus made which answered in every way satisfactorily. 

 The description of this apparatus was published in the " Entomologist " 

 Vol. XII, p. 238, but for the benefit of those who have not this 

 particular vol. by them I again give the description in full. 



The apparatus consists simply of a box, ten inches square and six 

 inches deep, open at the top and lined with thin zinc; a zinc tray is 

 made to fit the top, one inch and a half deep, to contain damp sand 

 underneath on the tray is soldered a much smaller tray, an inch deep, 

 which forms the boiler; a short piece of pipe is soldered in the upper 

 tray through which to fill the boiler; the tray is then put on the box, 

 the edges being made larger prevents it falling through, and 

 underneath is placed a spirit lamp or jet of gas, the flame being 

 barely a quarter of an inch long, which is quite suflicient to give a 

 great and regular heat ; a square hole is cut in the side of the box in 

 front to put the hand through to regulate the light, and in the opposite 

 side, just underneath the tray, a few holes are drilled in the box for 

 ventilation, or the light will go out. Above the tray and resting on 

 the damp sand, is a square zinc glazed case, eight inches high ; the 

 top square of glass is loose to lift out, for placing the bottles or glass 

 jars in containing the pupae, and also to regulate the heat. When all 

 is ready, fill the boiler nearly to the top with water, then fill the tray 

 with damp sand to give a moist atmosphere, and put on the glazed 

 case, after which put in the glass jars containing the pupae and in the 

 centre suspend a small thermometer, and light the gas or lamp, which 

 can be regulated with ease to keep the heat up to between 60 and 70 

 degrees, Fahr., it is then no further trouble, and will well repay 

 anyone in getting it in order, for all the Lithocollitidcp are easily bred 

 during February and March, and most of the NeptiailcB and 

 Cosmoptevyx, and many other species of Tineina ; Tortrices also are easily 

 bred, indeed, I may say, I have bred without any trouble all the 

 species I have tried, that appear in May or June, thus easing the work 

 at that time very materially, and leaving me quite at liberty to look 

 after other species at that busy time. 



