INTRODUCTORY 



15 



be obtained by beating. The collector with one hand holds 

 an open and inverted umbrella, or a Bignall tray made expressly 

 for the purpose, under a branch, whilst with the other hand, 

 armed with a stick, he strikes the branches from above in the 

 direction of the receiver held below. In conducting such opera- 

 tions some collectors are 

 far too energetic. It 

 should be remembered 

 that it is not hard thrash- 

 ing, but a sudden jar that 

 dislodges the caterpillars 

 most readily. 



Although oft-times a 

 somewhat slow process, 

 and to some tempera- 

 ments, perhaps, rather 

 tedious work, searching 

 for larva- is not unre- 

 munerative when the 

 quality of the material 

 obtained in this way is 

 considered. Some kinds 

 sit in the daytime, or 

 feed, fully exposed, upon 

 the upper sides of the 

 leaves or on the twigs of 

 trees, shrubs, and low^ 

 herbage ; these are not 

 difficult to see. Otlier kinds conceal themselves under the 

 leaves or on the twigs hidden by the foliage, and these have to 

 be sought for, because many of them cling so tightly to what- 

 ever they may be upon that hardly anything short of a fatal 

 blow with the beating-stick will cause them to relax their hold. 

 Others, again, spin two or more leaves together, and in the 



Fig. 15. 

 Caterpillar of Privet Hawk-moth 



