172 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



are very attractive to bees, Bombi, Andraence, &c., and a few- 

 beetles also. At and after dusk the flowers are the resort of sev- 

 eral species of moths, (Noctuina,) some of which have hybernated, 

 and others have just left their pupa state. It is now some fifteen 

 years since the collectors first took moths in this way, that were 

 likely long to have remained deficient in the collections but for the 

 discovery, by Mr. H. Doubleday, of the attractive powers of the 

 sallow blossoms. I believe it was the same gentleman who found 

 out about the same time that a mixture of sugar and beer, [or rum 

 and sugar or molasses, &c.,] mixed to a consistence somewhat 

 thinner than treacle, is a most attractive bait to all the Noctuina. 

 The revolution wrought in our collections, and our knowledge of 

 species since its use, is wonderful." 



" The mixture is taken to the woods, put upon the trunks of 

 trees in patches or stripes, just at dusk. Before it is dark some 

 moths arrive, and a succession of comers continues all night through, 

 until the first dawn of day warns the revellers to depart. The 

 collector goes, soon after dark, with a bull's-eye lantern, a ring 

 net, and a lot of large pillboxes. He turns his light full on the 

 wetted place, at the same time placing his net underneath it, in 

 order to catch any moth that may fall. 



" The sugar bait may be used from March to October with suc- 

 cess, not only in woods, but in lanes, gardens, and whenever a 

 tree or post can be found to put it upon. The best nights will be 

 those that are warm, dark and wet ; cold, moonlight, or bright, clear 

 and dry nights are always found to be unproductive. It is also of 

 no avail to use sugar in the vicinity of attractive flowers, such as 

 those of willow, lime or ivy. Sometimes one of the Geometrina or 

 Tineina comes, and occasionally a good beetle." The Virgins' 

 Bower, when in blossom, is a favorite resort of Noctua^. Many 

 can be taken by carrying a kerosene lamp into the w^oods and 

 watching for whatever is attracted by its light. 



Geomelridce. (Geometers, Measuring-worms, Span-worms.) — 

 This is a large group of slender-bodied, broad winged moths, with 

 feathered antennae, which at rest have the wings nearly expand- 

 ing, hardly overlapping each other. The larvae have but ten legs, 

 walking with a looping gait. At rest they often hold themselves 

 out straight and stiffby the muscles of the anal prolegs. Ennomos 

 and allies have stout, rather wooly bodies, and angulated wings. 

 They are generally yellow, dusted with ochreons, and the larvae 



