98 COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 



most success, for they are then beyond his reach. All night- 

 flying moths are attracted by the light of a candle or lan- 

 tern, the brilliancy of which appears to increase exactly 

 in proportion to the darkness of the night. Availing them- 

 selves of this propensity on the part of the moths, many 

 entomologists sally forth to the woods at night provided 

 with a bright bull's-eye lantern, fastened in front by a 

 leathern strap going round the waist, and armed with a 

 clap-net to catch them on the wing, and a pair of forceps 

 to take them when settled on flowers. Others less ven- 

 turesome illuminate their rooms, and hold a levee of moths 

 during the live-long night. Tliis mode of collecting has 

 the great advantage of allowing the entomologist to read 

 or write, or occupy himself as he pleases : if cold, the 

 windows may be kept closely shut, and the moths will 

 knock for admittance ; and, not deterred by the severe blow 

 they receive by flying with all their might against the in- 

 tervening glass, will hover about the window until it is 

 opened to admit them. For the purpose of attracting 

 moths a sinumbra lamp has been found the best. When 

 a moth comes to the lamp it may readily be taken in the 

 forceps, or in a tumbler or wine-glass : or if it fly to the 

 ceiling and begin buzzing about, the clap-net must be 

 used or it will very soon injure the beautiful downy crest 

 on its thorax, and thus render itself unfit for a cabinet 

 specimen. When taken in the clap-net it may be trans- 

 ferred to a tumbler, and the tumbler inverted on the table. 

 It is then a good plan to light a small piece of Gei*man 

 tinder about half the size of a sixpence, and introduce it 

 under the edge of the tumbler ; the moth is almost instantly 

 stupified by the smoke of the tinder, and may be readily 

 taken out and pierced with a pin. In the second volume 

 of the 'Entomological Magazine,' the Rev. C. S. Bird 

 has given a most interesting account of his captures at 



