BY EDWARD DOUBLEDAY. 31 



of the wild Raspberries, but no moths were at them ; this seems 

 unaccountable. I have taken the most lovely Noctua I ever saw, 

 the form and size of Thijatira derasa, but of a different genus. 

 Mr. Moore has caught me a most curious Bomhyx ; it is all 

 buff, with the exception of a large ocellus, which occupies 

 nearly the whole of the under-wings. J cannot get a Luna, 

 although I have picked up wings belonging to two individuals. 

 Last night the moon was uncommonly brilliant, and we only 

 took one moth at the lanterns. 



Trenton Falls, June '^8th. — Here I am still in this sweet place. 

 Every day brings me fresh proofs of the good-heartedness of its 

 worthy owner, Mr. Goodhere ; and so far am I from finding, 

 as I had been taught to expect, that my pursuits would be 

 despised, that I am actually looked upon with greater respect 

 on the very account of these pursuits, and experience atten- 

 tions and assistance, not only from those of the household, but 

 from the neighbours around, with whom I may chance to meet. 

 How I love America! 



The Fire-flies here are all Lampyrites; I have seen no 

 Elaterites shine, and Mr. Goodhere informs me that there are 

 none ; they are beginning to be common, and, if 1 mistake 

 not, I have three, if not four species. They appear con- 

 stantly to emit a light, but so faint that, unless near, it is not 

 discernible ; at intervals of two or three seconds they give out 

 a vivid flash, like that of a rifle ; this flash is most commonly 

 whitish, but is sometimes reddish, and sometimes greenish, 

 and I am inclined to regard this variation of colour as indi- 

 cating different species. It is amusing, though difficult, to 

 chase these Fireflies ; you see a flash, and then another, and 

 dash forward in the apparent line of the insect's course, but 

 the insect is too cute for you ; he has turned short, and is 

 flashing away to the right or left, far beyond your reach. In 

 the hand, the flash is dazzling. I have sought in vain to 

 discover the mode in which it is produced ; I have no glasses 

 of sufficient power to be of any service in dissecting. 



Coleoptera are not at all plentiful ; you may sweep the grass 

 for an hour, and not get twenty specimens ; you may turn over 

 stones for as long, and be rewarded by a single Scaphinotus or 

 a Carahus ; with the exception of one species of Melolontha, 

 you may beat the trees for a whole day, and not obtain ten 



