MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 193 



From the most ancient times, it has been observed, 

 that some Lepidoptera make their excursions only 

 during the night, and conceal themselves during the 

 day ; whilst others are seen flying about only in the 

 day time, and conceal themselves at night. The form- 

 er are called Nocturnal Lepidoptera, as Moths, Millers, 

 Hawk-Moths, etc., which are recognised by their hav- 

 ing antennae without a knob at the end, e. g. the Sa- 

 turnia Io. Plate VI. figs. 28 and 29. 



These insects are rarely seen by day, being con- 

 cealed on or under fences, or houses, or under the 

 leaves of trees and bushes, and you have only to strike 

 upon a bush with your walking stick, or parasol, (for 

 I write also for the young ladies,) when a swarm of 

 these insects will sometimes fly out of it, and be easi- 

 ly caught in a net. As soon, however, as night sets 

 in, their airy promenades begin, and unless snapped 

 away by the cruel whip-poor-will, or a voracious bat, 

 or burnt alive by the flame of some candle, they con- 

 tinue flying about all night. 



It is very singular, that nocturnal insects, which 

 conceal themselves from the day light, are so apt to 

 fly towards a light in the night. But such is the fact, 

 as almost all can testify, who have seen them flying 

 around a light in a worm summer evening, when the 

 windows are open, until they disabled themselves, so 

 that they could not fly. This is another way of catch- 

 ing these insects, and still another is to spread a white 

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