Cljc dranabian ^ntomokigist. 



VOL. XV. LONDON, ONT.. VPRIL. 1883. No. 4 



PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY. 



.]rOSS-HUNT/NG. " 



R^■ PROFESSOR J. r. ilEIJ,. liKLI.KVir.I.K. ONT. 



Having had several enquiries addressed to me as to how I captured 

 the Pselaphida?, etc., a hst of which appeared in the Entomologist of 

 March. 1881, it has occurred to me that it might be acceptable to some 

 of my entomological brethren to have a detailed account of my method 

 of moss-hunting published in our organ. 



First, then, as to gathering the moss. For pedestrian excursions, a 

 game bag, or haversack, to sling over the shoulder, will be most con- 

 venient : where a vehicle is emi)loyed, a pillow case or grain bag may be 

 used, and in either case a small hand rake al)out a foot long will be found 

 very useful. As soon as the snow leaves the ground, the collector may 

 seek some open swampy woods, where the ground is varied with little 

 mounds 1)\- the decay of fallen trees or the upturned roots of wind-falls, 

 whkh are overgrown with mixed mosses, — or the banks of a pond or 

 creek, strewn with rotting logs and branches. The moss should be taken 

 up in large flakes, with as little disturbance as possible, and packed tightly 

 in the bag. It is of little use taking the moss which grows in thin sheets 

 on the stumps and trunks of trees, as few insects will be found in it, and 

 there is one sort which grows in compact oval l)unches of a bright green, 

 which I unitbrmly reject as barren. The most productive is that which 

 grows on the ground, and is not less than an inch in length of stem. So 

 long as the ground is clean of snow, a little frost is not ol)jectionable, but 

 rather the reverse, as some (jf m\ most successful collecting was done 

 when the moss was pretty well frozen, and the pools were covered with 

 ice strong enough to walk over; but .whatever may l)e the weather, the 

 moss must be damp, — insects will not live in dry moss. 



Having brought a cargo home, the next step is to get out its living 

 treasures, for which the following implements will be needed : 1. A sieve, 



