SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
287 
tree, was originally introduced into Canada in 1771, and now grows there 
successfully, being a hardy plant, and being indifferent as to the soil upon 
which it grows. Its present feature of interest is in respect to its being 
the food of the silkworm, which is called after it. This moth was intro- 
duced into Europe in 1856, and has been extensively cultivated in France, 
where it has been even more remunerative than the Bombyx Mori , to which 
it is related. The Bombyx Cyrthia , for such is its name, is the subject of 
a long memoir, written by Dr. Robert Patterson of the Botanical Society 
of Canada. In the spring of 1862 he received about fifty eggs from Europe, 
and these hatched out so perfectly that there were at least thirty-five 
worms developed, which produced as many large and fine cocoons. Having 
watched the processes of transformation and development, Dr. Patterson 
thus describes them : — The eggs are about the size of a large pin’s head, of 
a yellow colour, large at both ends, and depressed in the middle, and give 
rise to caterpillars in from ten to fifteen days. When the worm first comes 
from the egg it is very small, and of a blackish colour. After casting its 
first skin it becomes more of a yellow colour, and during the third period it 
becomes white, owing to a peculiar mealy secretion. After the fourth 
moult the body assumes a greenish tint, the feet and last joint being of a 
golden yellow. In the fifth stage the emerald green becomes more intense, 
and the ends of the tubercles are of a marine blue. It now eats greedily, 
and grows rapidly till it reaches a length of from 2f to 3 inches ; it then 
becomes torpid, and, attaching a few leaves together at the extremity of a 
branch, it begins its cocoon. The silk is of a yellowish-brown colour, and 
is not unlike the appearance of a decayed leaf. The perfect insect has 
been long familiar to naturalists, in collections of Chinese butterflies. The 
expansion of its wings is about five inches ; head and antennae greyish- 
brown ; thorax and abdomen, lighter grey ; wings, ash colour and grey, 
with a broad transverse band of lighter colour intervening. The males 
seek the females only under the influence of sunshine. — Canadian Natu- 
ralist, August, 1863. 
The Habits of Pagurus and Adamsia — Whilst dredging last July, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Wortley obtained two associated specimens of these 
animals, P. Prideauxii and A. palliata , and having brought them to 
London, and imprisoned them in a glass jar, proceeded to watch their 
habits. His results are very curious. After about three weeks the 
Pagurus lost its shyness, and commenced to eat. First it eat one piece 
of meat, which was dropped into the aquarium ; then “ it ate a second 
piece ; but on my giving it a third, I was agreeably surprised to see.it 
seize the piece with its large claw, and insert it into the expectant mouth 
of the Adamsia.” “ Whenever I feed him, I see him feed 
the Adamsia as soon as he has had enough himself.” “ On two occasions 
of my dropping meat into the vase, at a time when the Pagurus was not 
hungry, he inserted his claw within the tentacles of the Adamsia, and 
jerked it backwards and forwards ; but the tentacles not closing, he 
appeared to decide that Adamsia, also, was not hungry, and rejected 
the meat altogether.” We certainly think that Colonel Wortley has 
established the fact that a strong affection exists between the two animals, 
although we can hardly coincide with tlie following supposition. “ He 
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