SEASON'S FOr> COI.LrXTING IXSECTS. 315 



dig at the roots of trees for the pupiB of Ltpidoptcra ; for this purjiose 

 tlie (hgger is used, or a small trowel : the principal places worthy at- 

 tention are the roots of oaks, elms, lime-trees, &c. or beneath the un- 

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

 several inches. 



Such pupa; as penetrate into tlie.wood 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 bark, (and carefully examine it, 

 lor minute Coleoptera are frequently Ibimd adhering to it,) and withu 

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

 enlarge it, and take out the pupae as careililly as possible. 



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

 tation brings forth also myriads of insects int(j life and motion; the 

 dung of animals at this season swarms wiih minute Coleoptera; se- 

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

 fully garden pales, gates in lanes, &c. 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 hetlges should be well beat; the 

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

 pidoptcra arc obtained, and this is by far the best method, as the in- 

 sects are generally perfect, and the specimens very fine. Great atten- 

 tion should be paid to the larva^, 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 

 hnd full employment in the woods. Most of the Butterflies are taken 

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

 found flying at break of day, and at twilight in the evening. This me- 

 thod is tenned Moth r so, and should be well followed ui) during the 

 summer season. Many of the rarer Lepidoptera are never I'ound 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, arc able to discover the females at a great distance, and in the 

 most secret situations. The following observations by Mr. Haworth 

 on Boiubyx Qiwrcus will fully establish this fact, and at the same time 

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

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

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

 nity of woods, vvhere, if the weather is favourable, she never fails tu 

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

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

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

 become so much enamoured of their fair and chaste relation, as abso- 



