THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 19 



the stick, they fly off to some other tree near at hand, where they settle 

 with head down and wings closed. I then go quietly up and place the 

 glass over the insect, and with the other hand push the pasteboard under 

 the glass and secure it ; a few drops of the chloroform having been poured 

 on the pasteboard, the moistened part is slipped under the glass, and in a 

 very short time the moth is quiet, when I pin it and put it in my box, and 

 start for more game. In this way I rub every oak and hickory tree that 

 comes in my way. I find that the insects prefer the trees of medium size 

 and that some of the darker-winged varieties are oftener met with on the 

 hickory and red oak ; yet from the white oak I have obtained by far the 

 greatest number of species and specimens. 



The best time in the day for operating is, I think, from i to 4 p. m. 

 As the evening advances the moths become more restless and often alight 

 so high up on the trees as to be out of reach. In such cases I have 

 sometimes tied the glass to the pole, and when secured, have drawn them 

 carefully down, rubbing the glass against the bark ; this, however, requires 

 to be done very carefully, or the insect will be injured. Sometimes the 

 insects settle with their wings open and head pointing upwards, when 

 they are much more difficult to approach, and if disturbed, will often fly 

 upwards and settle high on the tree. 



As to weather, I have succeeded best after a very warm day and night, 

 with the wind southerly ; if the wind is a little strong, so much the better, 

 as the moths will not then fly so far when disturbed. They always sit on 

 the north side of the tree, and when the wind is easterly or northerly very 

 few will be found. I have tried the Cyanide bottle, but prefer the wine 

 glass and chloroform, as I think that when treated in this way the speci- 

 mens have a fresher look. When the weather is windy, I have often 

 observed the black-winged varieties fall to the ground when disturbed, and 

 hide themselves among the grass. In the manner thus detailed I have 

 captured Catocalas for seven years past with much success. 



William Murray, 115 Maiden Lane West, Hamilton. 



larva of thyreus nessus. 

 Dear Sir, — 



I am not aware that any description of the larva of Thyreus (Amphmi) 

 nessus has been given, so I send you the following extract from my notes : 



