SEASONS FOTl COLLECTING INSECTS. 315 



dig at the roots of trees for the pupje of Ijphloptcra ; for tliis purpose 

 the digger is used, or a small trowel : the principal places worthy at- 

 tention are the roots of oaks, elms, lime-trees, &:c. or l)eneath the un- 

 derwood : open the earth close to the tree, and search to the depth of 

 several inches. 



Such pupffi as penetrate into theVood require more care, lest they be 

 destroyed when the attempt is made to extricate them ; sound on the 

 bark with the digger, and the hollows will soon be discovered where no 

 external sign is visible ; tear off the l)ark, (and carel'ully examine it, 

 for minute (Jolcoptera are frequently foimd adhering to it,) and with a 

 knife cut away the wood that surrounds the orifice of the cavity, to 

 enlarge it, and take out the pupa^ as carefully as possible. 



April and May. — The same genial warmth that brings forth vege- 

 tation brings forth also myriads of insects into life and motion; the 

 dung of animals at this season swarms with minute Coleopiera; se- 

 veral species of the Lepidoptera will also be found by looking care- 

 fully garden pales, gates in lanes. Sec. Many species of Bees will be 

 found sucking the pollen from the sallow, which blossoms at this sea- 

 son. Sand and gravel pits should be carefully examined, and under 

 the stones and clods of earth many insects will be found. In May, as 

 soon as the white-thorn is in leaf, the hedges should be well beat; the 

 season for taking Caterpillars commences, from which most of the Le- 

 pidopftni are obtained, and this is by far the best method, as the in- 

 sects arc generally perlect, and the specimens very fine. Great atten- 

 tion should be paid to the larvce, as supplying them with fresh food, 

 and keeping the earth moist at the bottoms of their cages. 



June, July, August. — In these months the Entomologist will 

 find full employment in the woods. Most of ilic Butterfiies are taken 

 in these months, flying abroad in the day-time only : Moths will be 

 foimd flying at break of day, and at t\\ ilight in the evening. This me- 

 thod is termed Moihing, and should be well followed up during the 

 summer season. I^lany of the rarer Lepidoptera are never found but 

 at these times. The males of some, if not of every species of the 

 Moth tribe, and perhaps of other insects also, by a very astonishing 

 faculty, are able to discover the females at a great distance, and in the 

 most secret situations. The ibllowing observations by Mr. Ilaworth 

 on Bo/idu/x Qiitrcus will fully establish this fact, and at the same time 

 illustrate the manner of taking them : " It is a frequent practice with 

 the London Aurelians, when they breed a female of this and some 

 other day-flying species, to take her whilst yet a virgin into the vici- 

 nity of woods, where, if the weather is fiuourable, she never fails to 

 attract a numerous train of the males, whose only business appears to 

 be an incessant, rapid, and undulating flight in search of their iminH 

 prcgnated females. One of which is no sooner perceived, than they 

 become so much enamoured of their i'air and chaste relation, as abso- 



