Introduction. xxxvii 



most Sphingidce, Noctiice, and GeomctrcB are formed on or under the ground, frequently under their 

 food-plant; under stones; among moss; or at the roots of trees. On entomological excursions the 

 search for pupa; should not be neglected. Many suspended pupre, and some of those in cocoons, may 

 be found with ease, while others require a careful and laborious search. This is especially the case 

 with cocoons like those of Centra, &c., which are attached to the trunks of trees, and so carefully 

 covered with fragments of bark and lichen that they look deceptively like a small excrescence on 

 the trunk, and can only be recognised by a very practised eye. Many pupa; may be found in the 

 crevices of the bark of trees ; under loose bark ; or among the moss on the trunks and roots of trees, 

 or on rocks. Others may be found in the stems of their food-plants, like the pupce of the NonagricB, 

 which may be found in the stems of the reeds and the reed-mace, where they may be detected by 

 the withering of the plant, and by the holes made by the larva which inhabits it. Pupae are also to 

 be looked for in spring in the dry stems of last year's plants. These are chiefly those of Tortriccs, 

 and their presence cannot be detected by any external sign ; but if we split the stem down, we 

 may conclude that it contains a pupa, if it contains the excrement of larvae. The pup^e which 

 are formed on the surface of the ground must be looked for under moss and stones, among the turf. 

 In order to obtain the pupje which are constructed underground, we must turn up the ground in 

 likely localities with a flat trowel, which is preferable to a rounded one. The most productive spots 

 are round the trunks of trees standing by themselves, or in rows. When we have turned up a 

 trowelful of earth, we must carefully search through it for any pupae which it may contain ; and 

 if we have uncovered any roots, they should be carefully examined, for pupae are often attached to 

 or placed in the forks formed by the roots of trees. Pupa-digging may be practised throughout 

 the year, but is generally carried on from autumn to spring, when there is less work on hand for 

 the lepidopterist than at other times. In consequence, however, of the numerous accidents to which 

 pupae are exposed, the best authorities consider autumn or early winter to be the most productive 

 season for this mode of collecting. 



The pupae must be carried home in a box loosely filled with cotton-wool or moss, and must be 

 .shaken as little as possible. When we find a suspended pupa, we should cut away the leaf or twig 

 to which it is attached v.'ithout injuring the threads by which it is fixed, and place it in the breeding- 

 cage in the position in which we found it, or we shall obtain nothing but a crippled specimen. 



Dress and Outfit of the Collector.— It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that the 

 apparatus which a fully-equipped collector would require is too multifarious and cumbrous to be 

 conveniently carried about everywhere. It is therefore better not to attempt too much, but to set 

 before us some definite purpose upon each excursion. We may collect perfect insects at one time, 

 beat for larvae at another, sweep for them, or hunt for them among dry leaves at other times, &c. 

 But we may meet with larva; unexpectedly while collecting perfect insects, or vice versa, and it 

 is always advisable to carry a net, box and pins, S:c., when looking for larva;, and to carry a few 

 larva-boxes in our pockets when collecting perfect insects. By this means we shall be enabled to 

 secure anything of special value without inconveniently encumbering ourselves with apparatus, 

 although we may be more specially looking for insects in another stage. 



When collecting, a small satchel or knapsack will be necessary to hold our boxes, &c., or we 

 should provide ourselves with a shooting-jacket containing a sufficient number of pockets. As the 

 pursuits of the entomologist frequently lead him into thorny brakes and marshy places, good 

 strong substantial clothing and a good pair of boots are to be recommended. In searching for 

 larva; in wet places, a piece of waterproof stuff should be carried, on which the collector can kneel 

 when he wishes to examine the ground closely. In some places, and especially when we wish to 

 examine water-plants, a pair of wading-boots will be found very useful. 

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