94 WOBK AT HOME AND IN THE FIELD 



seen at once- After the insect is covered, its movements can be 

 watched, and so a favourable opportunity can be seized for snap- 

 ping on the lid. 



As already stated, some moths feign death when in danger, 

 allowing themselves to fall in places where they are often quite safe 

 from captmre. Others allow themselves to fall simply because they 

 have so gorged themselves with the intoxicating sweet that they 

 can no longer maintain their hold. Both these classes of sugar 

 seekers may easily be secured by means of a net coniuionly known 

 as the ' sugaring net.' 



This implement is so simple in its construction that anyone can 

 easily make his own. Tlie frame maj^ consist of two straight 

 wires or canes fixed in a metal Y, and the other ends joined by a 

 piece of strong string or catgut as shown in fig. 54. The net itself need 

 not be deep. As soon as you reach a tree where moths are feeding 

 on the sugar, press the string of the net against 

 the bark just below them. The string at once 

 assumes the form of the trunk so well that you 

 may be sure of every insect that falls while you 

 are boxing. 



For this work both hands must be free, and 

 this is easily managed in spite of the nmiiber of 

 appliances called into service. The lantern is 



Fig. 54. Fk.\5ie slung round your neck and secured by a strap 



FOR THE SuG.uiiNG rouud the chest. The ' sugaring net ' has a very 

 ■'^^'^' short stick, and ji:st while you are engaged in 



boxing specimens, it may be gently held against the trunk by a 

 slight pressure of the body. But such precautions as these are 

 necessary only when the nighf worker is out alone. There are 

 many circumstances, however, that render the work of two or more 

 in company much more enjoyable than that of a single-handed 

 entomologist. The labours are considerably expedited where a 

 division enables each one of the night ramblers to take a particular 

 portion of the work ; and if there is such a person as a nervous 

 entomologist, that individual should on no account go a sugaring in 

 lonely spots on dark nights. Every rustling leaf gives such a one 

 a start; all footsteps are those of approaching disturbers of the 

 peace ; and when at last the invisible landowner or his keeper, 

 attracted by the mysterious movements of the lamp, greets him 

 with his gruff ' What's your business here ? ' then for the moment 

 he forgets his enchanting hobby and wishes he were safelv at home. 



