THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 81 



ultimately for comparison with observations made by others. Nothing 

 not actually proved must ever be taken for granted. The true nature of 

 things should be sought for, not the confirmation of theories. By working 

 in this way every observation, however small it may seem to be, may be 

 of value in completing a life-history or correcting an error. 



As stated above, the possibilities for useful work are unlimited, and 

 even the most inclement season of the year offers many opportunities. 



At the present time much of Canada is covered with snow, and it may 

 be fairly asked what kinds of insects could now be procured for carrying 

 on these studies. As a reply, let us take a short excursion over the fields 

 and swamps and through the woods. At Ottawa three feet of snow on the 

 level renders snowshoes just now a necessity, but what an added charm 

 is given by the exhilarating exercise thus provided. Starting with a 

 congenial companion on one of the sunny crisp days which make up so 

 large a proportion of our Canadian winter, supported on the light frame- 

 work of the snowshoes and stimulated by their rattle and the crunch of the 

 snow, let us pass easily over such obstacles as ravines, streams and rivers, 

 now frozen and still, over barbed-wire fences muzzled by a blanket of 

 snow, and let us make for the woods where, warm and sheltered from the 

 coldest wind, we can carry on our search at ease. But let us first of all 

 consider what we are likely to find. It is wonderful how many things 

 will turn up when we go out with a set purpose of looking for them. 

 Insects may be looked for in all stages and in almost any place. 

 To one who has never collected in winter, it will be a great surprise to find 

 how much m.ay be done. Even among the butterflies, which are such 

 favorites on account of their beauty and because so few are injurious, there 

 are many gaps to be filled in as to the way they hibernate. We know a 

 good deal about many species ; but it must not be taken for granted that 

 every species, even, in the same genus, will behave in exactly the same 

 manner. Among those kinds of butterflies which may possibly be found 

 in winter during our rambles are the different Vanessians, such as the 

 Graptas, the two Tortoise-shells, the Painted Ladies and the Camberwell 

 Beauty, which should be looked for snugly tucked away in the deepest 

 recesses of some old hollow tree. In the same kind of places or under a 

 fenc6 rail the chrysalids of some of our Swallow-tail butterflies 

 or of the Whites, and just possibly of a Thecla or Blue, 

 may be found. Every clump of grass sticking above the snow, or bunch 

 of dead leaves on bush or tree should be examined. Among the grasses 

 or sedges the small larvse of the Satyrids and of some Skippers pass the 

 winter, and the difficulty of finding them will only stimulate to closer 

 search. Some Skippers hibernate as pupce and may be found beneath old 



