31 
scientific knowledge, and not merely to fill our cabinets with beau- 
tiful objects. Lastly, by breeding insects from the <^g, and thus 
working out their life histories, we are in little danger of extenui- 
nating a rare species, but on the contrary are rather tending to its 
presei vation, as by care and attention a much larger number of 
individuals may be reared from a given batch of eggs, than would 
in a .state of nature have come to maturity, owing to the protection 
wliicli in confinement is afforded them against their many natural 
enemies. 
When breeding insects it is desirable to keep a register, and make 
notes of such circumstances as the position of the eggs, the habits 
of the caterpillar, the time of liatching, &c., for the.se apparently 
trivial points are sometimes found to have an important practical 
bearing. Ihus e.rj. there are two closely allied species of moths, 
Lonibyx cynthia and Bombyx paphia, each of which produces a 
kind of silk. They arc inhabitants of India and China, and are 
largely cultivated for the sake of their produce. Bombyx cynthia 
breeds readily in confinement, and judging by analogy, we should 
have said that Bombyx paphia would have done the same, but it 
will be found on experiment, that the males of Bombyx paphia are 
so wild that they cannot be tamed, and consequently will not 
breed when confined. Tliis necessitates an entirely different treat- 
ment for these two species, apparently so closely allied by nature, 
Bombyx paphia is always kept in the open jungle, and all attempts 
to make it breed in confinement have as yet been unsuccessful. 
Bombyx cynthia on the other hand may easily be reared in ordinary 
breeding cages. 
Ihe notice of these moths leads me to mention another point 
well worthy of the attention of the entomological members of 
this Society, viz., the study of the silk-producing insects. Owing 
to the disease which has of late years prevailed so extensively 
amongst tlie silkworms of southern Europe, the silk crop has been 
very seriously affected, and the French government appointed a 
very able entomologist, M. Giu’ein !MeneviUe, to introduce into 
Europe, and acclimatize, if possible, neAV and hardy species of silk- 
producing insects. He introduced thirteen new species, and of 
these, two, viz., Bombyx cynthia and Bomlyx ricini, appear to be 
tlioroughly acclimatized in France. These insects are inhabitants 
of India and 2soi’thoru China. The remaining eleven species have 
