246 ENTOMOLOGY. 



memory and expedite matters to keep a short open record 

 of the species contained in each cage, by means of slips of 

 paper pasted on to the glass door. As fast as the different 

 specimens complete their transformations and are taken 

 from the cage the notes may be altered or erased, or the 

 slips wetted and removed entirely. To prevent possible 

 confounding of the different species which enter the ground, 

 it is well, from time to time, to sift the earth, separate the 

 pupae and place them in what I call imago cages, used 

 for this purpose alone and not for feeding. Here they 

 may be arranged, with reference to their exact where- 

 abouts. " 



The object is to keep the food-plant fresh, the air cool, 

 the larva out of the sun, and in fact everything in such a 

 state of equilibrium that the larva will not feel the change 

 of circumstances when kept in confinement. 



Sugaring for Moths. We may set bait or "sugar" for 

 moths, smearing the mixture of sugar and vinegar on the 

 bark of a tree, and visiting the spot by night with the lan- 

 tern and net. A mixture of cheap brown sugar mixed 

 with a little hot water and beer, or one of some beer and 

 molasses in equal parts, flavored with a little rum or brandy, 

 may be applied with a paint-brush before dusk to stumps, 

 trunks of trees, or fences; some prefer to lay it on in long 

 and narrow streaks rather than in broad patches. With a 

 dark-lantern hanging from a strap around the waist, the 

 collector may visit the trees several times during an even- 

 ing, especially a warm, damp, foggy, still night. 



Mr. 0. S. Westcott advises the night collector to have 

 two wide-mouthed bottles, each with a chloroform sponge 

 tacked on the bottom of the cork; also two cyanide of 

 potassium bottles, to which the temporarily anaesthetized 

 moths may be transferred (Can. Ent., viii. 12). 



Traps for Moths, etc. Taking advantage of moths flying 

 to lights,* many can be collected about gas or electric lights. 



* It is a curious fact that in general the males alone are attracted 

 to light; the same is probably true of beetles, at least the June beetle. 



