PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 41 



then carefully examine the moss itself. Experience alone will enable you to 

 detect a spun cocoon. 



" Searching under loose bark requires no comment. (I will here make an obser- 

 vation in reference to the Cerurae. The cocoons are found in the bark of the trees 

 on which the larvae feed. This is done in such a manner as exactly to resemble the 

 natural inequalities of the bark, and it requires the closest investigation to dis- 

 cover them. The plan I adopt is, having found a poplar of moderate size, to place 

 my finger upon the trunk, about six feet from the ground, and slowly drawing it 

 down, carefully examine the line thus made, including about half an inch on each 

 side of it. It is a laborious, but I have also found it a successful, plan. The 

 empty cocoons are very easily detected, and it is advisable to see whether there be 

 any on the trunk of a tree, before examining it in the manner recommended 

 above, as I have (almost invariably) found that individual trees appear to be 

 selected year after year. I pretend not to account for this, but it is the fact.) " If I 

 were asked, which are the most likely trees, I should say, those whose branches 

 spread out to\vards the ground, since moths seldom fly to the high branches ; those 

 whose roots form an angle filled with loose, dry earth, especially when covered with 

 grass ; and, lastly, those which have a thick, loose moss upon them. Nothing, 

 however, can be more uncertain than any rules upon this matter. 



" No pupa-hunter can hope for success, unless he has a good stock of patience 

 and perseverance. He must not mind cold hands, wet feet, or an aching back ; 

 for although these are drawbacks, yet is the pursuit quite exciting, when successful, 

 and it will reward the seeker, not merely of Lepidoptera, but also of all other orders 

 of insects." 



For the purpose of carrying pupse home, when found, any box will answer, 

 with a little moss in it, to prevent their rolling about. They should, then, be 

 placed in a good-sized box, with a little earth at the bottom. The pupa? are to be 

 laid upon the earth, and covered with moss. Some collectors damp the moss 

 occasionally ; I think it a bad plan ; I never do anything to them. The box 

 should have ROUGH sides to enable the insect to crawl up, and should also be 

 covered with gauze or wire. Care should be taken not to kill an insect until 

 the wings are fully dried ; but, if possible, it should be killed before its time 

 of flight, which, in the case of Noctuae and Geometras, is the evening. 



IMAGO. As to the most likely places for finding, and the best methods of cap- 

 turing insects on the wing, it may justly be said "Tot entomologici, tot 

 sententise." The following, however, are the most deserving of notice: During 

 the day time many Geometrae and some Noctuae may be found by beating the hedges 

 (on road-sides and at the borders of woods), furze, underwood, trees, shrubs, &c., 

 when the former fly out, and may easily be captured with a net, while the latter 

 fall torpid to the ground. Trunks of trees should be carefully examined, as large 

 numbers, both of Noctuas and Geometrce, make them their resting-place during the 

 day. In the same manner, palings, fences, stumps, and old walls should be 

 searched, especially on the side sheltered from the sun and wind. So far, during the 

 daytime. As regards the evening and night, there are three plans particularly 

 deserving of notice sugaring, examining the trees, shrubs, &c., attractive to 

 Lepidoptera, and lamplight. The first of these I have often tried, but have met 

 with little success. Not so, however, with other collectors. Mr. Douglas has, in 

 the pages of the u Zoologist," given many valuable instructions on this, and other 

 points connected with the study and pursuit of Entomology ; and I cannot do better 

 than quote some of his remarks u The strongest brown sugar, known as 

 'Jamaica- foots,' is mixed with hot water to the consistence of treacle, or somewhat 

 thinner, and a small portion of rum added and stirred in ; the composition is then 

 laid on the trunks of trees, in favourable situations, with a painter's brush. I have 

 found that it is better to make long and narrow streaks than broad patches. 

 Many species do not like to wet their feet, and sit and sip the nectar modestly, 

 and at a distance ; others are not so careful, but rush readily on their destruction. 

 The sugar should be put on the trees at dusk, before the moths fly ; for I have 

 repeatedly observed that, if used afterwards, there will not be nearly so many 

 come. With a lantern suspended from the neck, and thereby preserving an 

 upright position during every movement, the collector may visit the trees several 



