82 THE REPORT OF THE No. 19 



seems to combine all others, and one which is getting to he more and more acknowledged as 

 pervading and influencing everything, whilst uniting objects the most distant, and, as it were, 

 obliterating space, but which has not yet, in this direction, found a place in the domain of 

 science, namely,— electricity and magnetism ? An influence which so acts upon their sensibili- 

 ties as to prompt them to move in unison, at the proper time and in the right direction, — 

 •onfidently, but unconcernedly as to cause or consequences ? 



COLLECTING AT LIGHT IN 1901. 



By J. D. Evans, Trenton. 



Early in June last the writer commenced collecting at an incandescent electric light which; 

 was continued every night with very few exceptions until about the middle of September ; the- 

 light was outside and in front of the front porch ; immediately below the light was fixed a funnel 

 made of heavy white paper, and below and contiguous thereto was placed a deep glass jar 

 containing cyanide of potassium. This would be placed in position at dusk and left out (except 

 when rain threatened) all night. 



On a favourable night myriads of insect life would be taken, caddis flies predominating, but 

 always accompanied by a goodly percentage of moths, beetles flies, and bugs, with a few 

 Hymenoptera. Upon the most unpromising nights 25 or 30 moths would be taken, which 

 would increase to 100 or 150, or more, on a favourable night. The subdued light shed by th&' 

 white paper seemed to hive a peculiar attraction for the insects, for very few entered the house 

 although windows were open and rooms w^ell lighted. 



Of the moths some species were taken in large numbers, particularly micros. Among the 

 varieties maybe mentioned Plvda contextn , and P. driatella : also Xanthia tognio and a number v 

 of species not yet determined. 



Among the Coleoptera many families were represented, and many species rarely met with 

 were taken in large numbers, a list of which will be prepared at an early date. Among the- 

 families most numerously represented may be mentioned Carabidfe, about 40 or 50 species, 

 Hydrophilidfe, Nitidulidfe, Elaterid;*, Scarabaiida;, Cerambycida?, Chrysomelida?, and Anthicidfe. 



The Hemiptera were represented chiefly by fully 20 species of leaf-hoppers. 



Very few insects were taken during the season other than by light. 



I can record the capture of a fine specimen of Papilio cresphontea in the garden on th^ 

 20th August ; it was hovering over a patch of Phlox Drummondii. 



THE MILKWEED AT DUSK. 



By Albert F. Winn, Montreal. 



The attractiveness to insects of the flowers of the milkweed (Asdepias cornuti) has given»' 

 rise to a new popular name of " Butterfly Weed" being applied to it. This name certainly 

 appears appropriate enough to any one passing a patch of the plant in full bloom on a hot July- 

 day, with the blooms and the air around just alive with gay butterflies. But the entomolagist 

 wants something better than Danais archippus, the various species of Argynnis, Limenitis- 

 dixippus, and Famphilas, when he has a day to spend in the fields, and if he spends much time- 

 around t?ie milkweed he will probably come home with a great quantity of specimens of a dozen 

 species of the commonest of our butterflies, which he will carefully put away in papers to remain< 

 there till doomsday. 



I have often wished to have the opportunity of watching the milkweed blossoms regularly 

 in the evenings, but till this summer have not had the chance. In July of this year I spent mf 



