•214 REMARKS ON THE 



causes which led me, during my journey in those countries, 

 to direct my attention to this order in preference to any other; 

 and also by some short notices of the places at which I 

 chiefly collected ; these being intended to afford to my readers 

 (should I be fortunate enough to get any), the means of draw- 

 ing more profit from what will follow, especially in regard to 

 the influence of climate and locality, as well upon individuals 

 of any given species as upon the geographical distribution of 

 genera and species. 



The first place which I chose for a hunting ground, was 

 the vicinity of the beautiful falls of the West Canada Creek, 

 known as Trenton Falls. 1 had not long collected in this 

 spot, when a fact which surprised me forced itself on my 

 attention. This was the paucity of insects in general. There 

 was, it is true, a great number of species to be met with, but 

 they wanted a deal of looking for, and were almost invariably 

 few in individuals. It is true, that as summer advanced, 

 some one or two species oi Coleoptera cqxhq forth in countless 

 thousands, especially Philochloinia elongata, Dej., which, 

 in the early part of June, stripped the young beeches of their 

 leaves. Cicindela sex-guttata, F., and vulgaris, Say, Ortho- 

 soma cylindricum, and some few other Coleoptera, were also 

 tolerably common. But in general, insects, though pretty 

 numerous as to species, were few as to individuals of any 

 species, but this was not so entirely the case in some orders 

 as others. 



The great exception was the order on which I am about 

 to make my remarks, to wit, the Lepidoptera, As soon as 

 the young leaves had fairly burst forth, a host of beautiful 

 Geometridcd began to appear in the woods, and were speedily 

 followed by a second host, composed of NoctuidcB and Bom- 

 hyces. The situation of the inn in which I had fixed my 

 abode, was peculiarly favourable for attracting Lepidoptera 

 by illuminating the windows ; and by following up this plan 

 regularly, I found myself every week adding immensely to 

 my stock of moths. Mr. Moore, the worthy host and owner 

 of the inn, a man of sound sense, good heart and great in- 

 formation, and of an intellectual turn of mind,' soon became 

 as earnest as myself in the work of collecting. To him and 

 his excellent wife, a pattern of what a wife and mother ought 

 to be, I am indebted for many species I did not take myself, 

 as I shall hereafter mention. 



There was enough to make me prefer the Lepidoptera 

 above all other insects. I knew that not one fourth of the 



' Vide Fanny Kcmble. 



