The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-02
HOW TO RAISE
 CATERPILLARS.

Many specimens of moths and butterflies may be caught with the net, but the most perfect ones are procured by raising the cat erpillars from which they originate Rais- ing caterplllars Is one of the most interest ing of pastimes, because it teaches US to observe the natural growth and development of moths and butterflies. This Is more pront- able than the mere act of capturing them, A great many people despise the nasty green worm of the garden In fact, they are not worms at all but caterpillars, worms being entirely different And who could despise them If he knew into what beauti- ful creatures the caterpilars will be trans formed2
 In raising caterpilars we must begin with the eggs Some butterflies lay their eggs around the stems of plants, but generally they deposit them upon the under side of leaves. If you watch closely you may some times discover the female in the act of lay Ing them. They are usually laid in clusters.
 When you have found cluster of eggs put them on the top of box filled with moist sand. In a few days the young cat erptlafs will appear. They must be fed with the leaves of the plant on which they were found Most works upon butterflies give two or three species of plants upon which the same caterpiars may feed. If you can find out Into what kind of butterfly or moth your caterpillar will be transformed you can discover the different plants that may be used as food This rule does not al ways apply, however, for one caterpillar may eat one food plant, while another one of the same species may refuse 1t.
 Tn case you do not raise the caterpillars from the eggs, but hunt for the half or full grown ones. the following facts should be remembered:
 Caterpillars are found mostly on the leaves of plants. They can be discovered by ob- serving the leaves which are eaten and the frass or ejectamenta which is found on the ground close by
 When caterpillars are large enough they must be transferred to a breeding cage. The thing most essential fin making a breeding cage is a crate like those In which straw berries are sent to market. This may be procured at any market for few cents. The next thing to do Is to cover the crate with wire netting, leaving a space open at one of the corners to be used as a door. This space must be large enough to allow a bunch of leaves to pass through IL. Put few leaves of the plant on which you found the cater. pillar with it In a small notebook write short description of 1t, including the date of It's capture and the food plant. Always do this, for 1t saves a great deal of confusion if you have many specimens. It may also be used to record the number of mOults and the time of each.
 Caterpilars \ -.le they are growing change their skin four or five times. This process is called moulting. Moultng generally takes place at regular intervals The caterpillar grows until It's skin becomes too small Then 1t stops feeding and remains quiet for a while. The skin then splits open and the caterpillar crnwls out of 1t. After moulting the new skin Is Just as perfect as the old one was but the coloring may be little differ ent Sometimes the part of the old skin that was the head remains attached to the cater pillar for a day or two.
 After the caterpillar has finished feeding 1t Is ready to change into pupa or chrys- alls. The caterpilars of butterflies change Into chrysallds without spinning a cocoon while the caterpiliars of moths spin cocoon the chrysalls being Inside of 1t. Some cater pillars of butterflies attach themselves to a stone, branch or some other projecting ob- ject, while others have girdle of silk that passes around the chrysalls. Most chrysalids are dark In color, but a few are very brill liant. The chrysalid of the monarch or milkweed butterfly Is pale green, with golden spots on 1t resembling nails.
 Some butterflies remain as ehrysalids for only a few weeks while others pass the winter in this state. Most of the butterflies that are thus brooded have q brood near winter. Then the caterpillar does not have time to finish its feeding properly, and Is compelled to hibernate over winter. Cater pillars that do this are harder to raise than those that do not They must be kept In a cold place. either exposed to the weather or kept In all ice chest.
 When. at the end of the pupal state, the butterfly Is ready to emerge from its chrys- alls, the coverings part so that the Insect can escape. When 1t comes out the wings are very thin and are folded over It's back. The butterfly then clings to A rock and re- mains there for a few hours flaming It's wings, and at the same time rapidly Inject. ing blood into them.
 After 1t has developed It's organs 1t flies away, nevermore to crawl on the ground and to eat leaves but to sip the sweetness of the flowers and to hover around the highest trees, daring anyone to follow.