G1 
Ihe 2soctiise are, as a whole, an exceedingly difficult class to 
deal with, though the genus Tseniocainpa affords that excej)tion 
which we are told is required to prove the rule. All the species 
of this genus except Leucographa (with the habits of which I am 
unacquainted,) pair with tolerable readiness, especially if placed in 
sleeves on the trees ; indeed they may frequently be found coupled 
on the sallows. Cymatophora ocularis and Ridens have been 
successfully attempted, but not often, and my own endeavours to 
pair various* species of Acronycta, Cymatophora, Agrotis, Hadena, 
Diphthera orion, (tc., have all been complete failures, and I cannot 
often succeed even in obtaining eggs from caught females of the 
first two genera. 
It remains to speak of the Pseudo- boinbyces, the jiet group of 
breeders. Nearly all of this class pair in confinement with more or 
less readiness j most of them have singularly beautiful and striking 
larvm, and all are remarkable for the soft and delicate beauty of 
the imago, while by far the majority of species are of sufficient rarity 
to attract almost all collectors. Of these 1 may speak as 
they are not numerous, and I have had personal acquaintance with 
twenty out of the twenty-seven British species. 
Ihe DicniTiuridoe — the Kittens and Puss moth, are notoriou.sly 
among the easiest species to pair, and with the proviso that the 
jmung larvm are not handled, nor forcibly removed from their food 
plant, very easy to rear. 
Fagi (the Lobster) is from its rarity not often tried for breeding 
purposes, but it pairs readily enough. Unfortunately, however, 
the larvae are hard to rear, and even the pupm sometimes die off, 
instead of coming out.* 
Cassinea (the Sprawler) couples readily, but the larvae must be 
kept separately, as they are somewhat apt to be too fond of each 
other, and having once acquired this depraved taste, sink at once 
into ferocious cannibals ; the pupa5 too are very apt to die if 
disturbed. 
Of Nubeculosa I know nothing whatever as to pairing, but the 
larvaj are notoriously hard to rear. 
• The same remark applies to this as to the last genus— viz., that the 
young larvm won’t bear removal from their food plant, but must be allowed 
to crawl from the old to the fresh food without a.ssistance. The best plan 
is to sleeve out on growing trees. 
