Biological Papers. 118 



the claim made in the daily papers that the insects came from Kan- 

 sas, when, as a matter of fact, the species is more native to the 

 Colorado plains. 



Regular methods of night collecting,- besides sweeping, depend 

 on two agencies as means of attraction or lure. The principal 

 one is artificial light, as already mentioned ; the other some savory 

 bait. Any kind of artificial light, if exposed, attracts insects, but not 

 all insects are attracted by light. A bait, therefore, which allures by 

 scent, and gratifies the insect taste, must be used for those that do 

 not come to light nor can be found by sweeping. The readiness 

 and persistence with which insects generally seek a source of light 

 carry myriads of them to destruction, either by fitful dartings into 

 flames of candles, lamps, and jets, or by onslaught of multitudes in 

 the electric arc lamps. The screening of windows and doors of 

 houses is not only serviceable against day insects, but prevents 

 great annoyance at night from insects which would otherwise freely 

 enter should windows or doors be opened ; indeed, many insects are 

 small enough to pass through fine screening. Every person is 

 familiar with the movements of insects in fluttering around a light 

 in a room ; at least such as enter in spite of barriers, and cause 

 provocation. In view of such tendencies as these, the collector does 

 not always have to go after his game, for, instead, it comes to him 

 readily ; he need not leave his room at times, and nothing more 

 than poison bottles are required in which to catch the specimens. 

 Even some invalids can have the privilege of collecting in this 

 manner. 



Wonderful results can be accomplished merely with the aid of a 

 flickering candle-light. My favorite method was accomplished with 

 the use of a lantern supplied only with a candle. With this modest 

 provision, not only was much pleasure derived for myself, but also 

 for my little daughter, who ably assisted me. We would sit out of 

 doors during the summer evenings, either on the porch of the 

 house or in the yard, and together we watched for and captured 

 the insects that were attracted to the light of this simple lantern, 

 which was placed in the center of an open newspaper spread on 

 the floor or ground. The sheet of paper exposed the insects which 

 alighted on it to easy capture. Beetles generally fell on the paper 

 and were picked up in the fingers and dropped into a poison bottle 

 by themselves ; they have hard bodies, and make frantic struggles 

 in the bottle before they are subdued by the fumes, and, in conse- 

 quence, would ruin moths or weaker insects if placed in the bottle 

 together. Tiny moths, parasites and bugs usually alighted on 

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