Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science,; Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures.Various
Science
Scientific American, Volume XXIV., No. 12, March 18, 1871: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science,; Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures.
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
As soon as the egg is laid, the young larva commences its formation,
which in a short time (about one month) is perfected. It lies in the
egg in a quiescent state till early spring. If the egg remain in the
country where it is laid, and is kept at a pretty even temperature,
and free from damp, the caterpillar emerges in a healthy condition.
But if it be removed some thousands of miles, passing in the transit
from heat to cold, and back to heat again: and if, in addition, it
be closely confined in a damp place, with little or no circulation of
air, the egg is attacked by a fungus which sometimes prevents the worm
from emerging at all; or, if it emerge, it is in a sickly condition.
That these conditions obtain in the transit of eggs, from Japan
to Europe, and thence to America, is evident enough; and it may,
therefore, require the efforts of many persons, continued for a long
time, to enable us to acclimatize the _Yamamai_. But this is all that
is required, and I feel confident that ultimate success is certain.
On hatching out, the worm is of a brimstone yellow, and thinly covered
with strong hairs; after the second month it is greenish, with black,
longitudinal streaks, and the thread a dull coral red color. After the
third month it becomes of a fine apple green, with yellow tubercles
on each segment, from which issue a few black hairs. The head and legs
are chocolate brown, the prolegs reddish, and the first segment edged
with pinkish color. The greatest care is necessary, as the spring
advances, to prevent the eggs from hatching before the oak buds
are ready for them, and the temperature must be regulated with the
greatest nicety. If the eggs can be kept somewhere about 50 deg. Fah.,
it would be quite safe; higher than that the mercury should not be
allowed to rise, till you are quite ready for the worms, and, on the
other hand, the eggs should not be allowed to freeze.
On emerging from the eggs, the worms should be allowed either to crawl
to the oak branches, or rather to sprigs obtained for that purpose,
the end of which should be placed in a jar, or bottle, of water, or
the worms may be placed on gently with a camel-hair brush. The leaves
should be well sprinkled with clean water that the caterpillars may
drink.
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