and Pinks as being very attractive to Moths. On Staten 

 Island, where the wild Datura stramonium, or Jamestown 

 Weed, is common, I have taken several Hawk Moths on its 

 white and purple flowers. Also on different sorts of Ascliyia*, 

 or Milkweeds, the leaves of which are eaten by the larvae 

 of Danmif? plc.rippux and EncJificfrx c<jle, and are generally 

 very attractive plants to bees and beetles and butterflies. 



In taking Moths with the net, the poison bottle should 

 be kept handy and the insect introduced into it as quickly 

 and dextrously as possible, to prevent injury to the wings 

 and especially to the fine fringes which are easily abraided 

 in fluttering. 



The action of chloroform being very rapid, I have used 

 a bottle, fastened to the cork of which (inside) was a small 

 bit of sponge, which I kept moistened with this anaesthetic. 

 Into ,7 this bottle I introduced the insects from the net, 

 transferring them in a few moments to the cyanide bottle. 

 They hardly fluttered and the fringes were preserved. Some 

 collectors use a needle fastened in a little wooden handle 

 as an implement for impaling Moths resting on fences, 

 trunks of trees, in the daytime. The pinned Moth is then 

 quickly introduced into a small close box in which a chloro- 

 formed sponge is fastened. The pin must be carefully used 

 so as to transfix the moth through the center of the thorax 

 and avoid destroying the thoracic tufts. If this method is 

 objected to, the resting Moth may be covered by the chloroform 

 or cyanide bottle. As cyanide is a deadly poison, too much 

 care cannot be taken with it. A solution of arsenious acid 

 and nicotine (extract of tobacco) may be used to kill larger 

 moths; the pin used for the specimen being first dipped in 

 this solution. It has been also recommended to use a 

 hypodermic syringe to introduce poisons. I myself have 

 only used the two sorts of bottles, chloroform and cyanide 

 and which have answered the purpose sufficiently well. 

 Individual experience must determine the best methods. 



The operation of setting Moths for the Cabinet is one 

 requiring great nicety and care. The specimens must not 

 be allowed to get too dry, as then the wings cannot be 



