OCR Text |
Show 652 THE SECRETARY ON THE INSECTARIUM. [June 7, The cases in the opposite row were of similar construction, but rather smaller in dimensions. The cases on the south side (on each side of the entrance door) have been mostly appropriated to the exhibition of the larger and finer species of silk-producing moths of the family Bombycidae. Amongst them might be specially noticed Glover's Silk-moth (Samia gloveri) and the Cecropian Silk-moth (S. cecropia) of North America, Perny's Silk-moth (Attacus pernyi) of Northern China, the Tusseh Silk-moth (A. mylitta) of India, and the great Emperor Moth (Saturnia pyri) of Europe. On the north side of the Insectarium the smaller cases were devoted principally to the rarer and more noticeable moths and butterflies of Europe, such as the Swallow-tailed Butterfly {Papilio machaon), the Black-veined Butterfly (Aporia cratcegi), the Purple Emperor (Apatura iris), and the Orange-tip (Anthocharis car-damines), among the former, and the Scarlet Tiger-moth (Calli-morpha dominula) and Emperor Moth (Saturnia carpini), among the latter group. The series was continued, mixed with other forms, at the east end of the building. On the large tables in the middle of the Insectarium were examples of other butterflies, moths, beetles, mayflies, stoneflies, and aquatic insects of different kinds. The whole series exhibited now contained examples of about fifty species; but daily additions were made to it. Finally, the Secretary observed, every specimen in the Insectarium was distinctly labelled, and that over each of the principal cases was fixed a glazed box, in which was placed preserved specimens of the various stages of metamorphosis of the insect exhibited in the case beneath. The Insectarium had been placed under the sole charge of Mr. William Watkins, an experienced entomologist and breeder of insects, whose name was well known to many naturalists. Mr. Watkins, whose services had been secured for the Society for the purpose of inaugurating this interesting exhibition, had prepared the subjoined Report on the insects already bred and exhibited under his charge. Beport on the Insects exhihited in the Insectarium during the month of May 1881. 1. E X O T I C LEPIDOPTERA. Samia gloveri.-Specimens of this species emerged almost daily through the month; and fertile eggs were obtained, which hatched on the 12th instant. The larvae when hatched are a shining black, with numerous spines of the same colour; after the first change' which took place in six days, they assume a yellowish colour; at the second moult they become green with paler-coloured spines each tipped with bright red. A choice of many shrubs were given them, but although they ate plum and sallow they left these for gooseberry, which they are now thriving well upon. Samia cecropia-This species emerged through the month and |