Hints on Rearing Larve 
after hibernation on the first blades of grass on a sunny 
bank or under a hedgerow. ‘The evening is the time 
to seek for them. Given a mild evening during March 
or April, a good lamp, and a sharp pair of eyes, a 
number of caterpillars can be collected from the ends 
of fresh blades of grass, on which they can be fed for 
a week or two longer. As the larve grow, identification 
gets easier, and the proper food-plant, as it becomes 
available in bud and leaf, can be given to them. 
Gathering Sallow catkins just after they begin to 
wither is also a profitable method of larva-collecting. 
Many young caterpillars find food and shelter inside 
these catkins, and perhaps in greatest numbers on 
female catkins, as these adhere longer to the parent 
bush, and supply more food in the shape of unripe 
seeds. Ifa large number of Sallow catkins are collected 
from various districts and placed into a large airy box 
for a week or two, then, as the Sallows out of doors 
burst into leaf, a few twigs bearing leaves are placed in 
bottles in the box ; on examination of the twigs some 
night—say one hour after dark—if you have been 
fortunate, they should be seen swarming with cater- 
pillars of various kinds. During the months of June, 
July, and August, the seed-vessels of all the Campion 
sroup of plants (Dianthus, Silene, Lychnis) should be 
examined for caterpillars, their large calyces affording a 
snug little home with a larder well filled with seed. 
When I describe the species illustrated in this volume, 
I will give further details concerning the “ pod-lovers.”’ 
Quite a number of caterpillars pass their whole life 
ees 
