xxxvi FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



insects far more time was given to a special search for Coleoptera than any other Order. 

 After the beetles the Microlepidoptera probably occupied the most time. Many of 

 these were collected in very wet and sometimes windy localities and as they could not 

 be carried alive in so rough a country without damaging themselves, I found it neces- 

 sary to kill and pin them, as soon as they were caught. Liquid ammonia was always 

 used in killing, except for stray specimens picked up, when I was specially in search of 

 other insects or of birds. It was often necessary to carry an umbrella in order to obtain 

 shelter from the wind and rain, when pinning the specimens in the field. On compara- 

 tively few days the Hymenoptera claimed my whole attention, these being (at least 

 the Aculeata) conspicuous and easily collected, and this also applies to the Odonata. 

 The Neuroptera, Orthoptera, and Hemiptera, as represented in our fauna, are naturally 

 met with in collecting beetles and now and then I spent a day strictly in catching the 

 larger Lepidoptera. To the Mollusca on Molokai and Lanai I paid a good deal of 

 special attention and very special attention to certain species. 



As to the modes of collecting the most successful are exactly those which would be 

 employed by a successful collector in any other country, the difference between the 

 islands and most countries being that many situations, which might be expected to 

 produce a good harvest, will be found comparatively barren. Very few species of 

 Coleoptera will be swept from low herbage, even in the finest localities. Sweeping, 

 when employed, should be rather done amongst the branches of trees and shrubs. This 

 is very natural, seeing that nearly all the beetles are attached to, or bred in wood, dead 

 or alive, but chiefly in dead or diseased trees. A good many of the species sun them- 

 selves on the foliage of living trees and shrubs, but rarely descend to low plants. 

 Comparatively speaking, very rarely is any beetle seen upon the wing. These remarks 

 of course apply solely to the endemic fauna. Light is very attractive to Lepidoptera, 

 both large and small, and especially in wet localities, no doubt for the reason that in 

 these, dark cloudy nights are most frequent. Clear cold nights are almost useless, and 

 worse still if there is a strong wind. Even the smallest moths will sometimes come 

 freely during very heavy rain, and a black windless night with torrential downpours, 

 which cease at intervals, are the very best, during those intervals. Even the butterflies, 

 Pyrameis tammeamea and P. atalanta sometimes are not infrequent visitors under such 

 conditions. Flowers are attractive to many moths both by day and night, especially 

 the Ohia {Metrosiderus) from which at night some kinds may be shaken to the ground, 

 either unable or unwilling to fly. The usual bait of sugar, tried at various times, in 

 good localities for Agrotis, failed to attract anything except the little Hypenodes, so 

 similar to the European one, which, as is well known, is itself very freely attracted. 

 Fern-fronds in a certain stage of decay are very attractive to Agrotis, and when feeding 

 on these they make no attempt to fly, but fall to the ground, when disturbed. Aculeate 

 Hymenoptera and Odonata do not need looking for, but it needs a practised eye to 

 distinguish the very similar species of the former, so as to be able to pick out the 



