m4: SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
bark, upon which growths I am inclined to believe that they feed, 
though I have never been able to prove this by actual observation. 
My most fruitful hunting ground has been the stems of various palm 
trees, especially those of the “Royal Palm” (Oreodoxa regia). 
Partial shade is evidently essential to their comfort. The more 
exposed stems were always found to be untenanted. The best way 
to find the insects is to pass the hand slowly up the trunk without 
actually touching it. This will flush any individual within range 
and induce it to move off in a series of short jerks, when it can be 
located and—with practice—safely captured in the manner des- 
cribed below. 
Though provided with functional and quite usetul wings, the 
insects seldom take flight unless hard pressed. They are, never- 
theless by no means easy to capture. An ordinary net is quite 
useless. Even if they should take flight, they are so small that 
the eye can scarcely follow them. I have found a small glass 
tube (containing a fragment of cyanide of potassium wrapped in 
tissue paper) the most successful instrument for their capture. It 
must be of not more than five-eighths inch diameter, otherwise it 
will not fit sufficiently close to the rough surface of a wall or the 
convexity of a tree trunk ; and if there is the smallest crevice the 
little creature will most assuredly discover it and escape through it. 
Having located your specimen, the mouth of the tube must be 
cautiously approached and then suddenly placed over the insect. 
On the first and probably many successive attempts the insect 
will dodge out of the way, but with patience it can eventually 
be enclosed within the mouth of the tube. Then still further 
patience is required. Any attempt to force the insect to leave its 
support and enter the tube will meet with failure and probably 
afford further opportunities of escape. The tube must be held 
firmly in place until the captive is asphyxiated by the fumes of the 
cyanide, when it will drop off into the glass. This may take a 
minute or more to effect. Species that occur under loose bark or in 
decayed wood may be shaken off on to a piece of white cloth and 
bottled from there. 
Attempts to keep the insects alive in captivity for any length of 
time have invariably proved unsuccessful. It is difficult to adjust 
the humidity to their requirements. 
I have found the eggs of one species only (Paramphientomum 
Nietneri). I found this species in large numbers on a cement 
covered parapet; and in small cavities in the cement were numerous 
packets of eggs concealed beneath a crust of earthy particles. On 
