ox THE CAPTURE AND rRESERVATION OF COLEOPTERA. 191 



of beetles, small moths, spiders, flies, petals of flowers, &c., as 

 it will be almost impossible to separate. It is a good plan to 

 sweep only one sort of plant at a time if possible, for by that 

 means the food plant of the beetle can be correctly ascertained. 

 A hayfield is a certain place for a successful hunt, especially on 

 a sunny day in June or July, when the flowers are all in blossom. 

 A hawthorn bush in full bloom is a well-known attraction for 

 beetles, and indeed for all orders of insects. The net or 

 umbrella should be held under each of the flowering boughs 

 in turn, the boughs smartly tapped with a stick, and the net 

 examined after each tap. Most of the species of Meligethcs and 

 Epuraa, and many others, may be easily secured in this way. 

 Sallow blossoms, reeds, flags, rushes, fern, heather, nettles, 

 turnips, and clover, are very productive plants, and all yield their 

 various particular species. Many of the Donacice, Stenidce, and 

 Chrysomelidce, may be taken from plants by the water in various 

 parts of the country. 



A plan by which I have captured many night-flying species 

 is to place several open pots or basins in fields or woods, in which 

 is some beer mixed with rum and sugar. The beetles smell the 

 mixture, and fly or crawl to it during the night, and, when once 

 in, few escape from the stick^^ compound. The drawbacks to this 

 are that a quantity of other insects are caught, and also that the 

 beetles become so clogged that it is sometimes rather difficult to 

 clean and prepare them for the cabinet ; nevertheless it is well 

 worth trying. Small sticks should be placed against the outside 

 to enable the beetles which do not fly to get in. 



As the season advances sweeping may still be carried on, 

 indeed till quite late in the autumn. Also hunting in ponds, 

 under bark, dead leaves, moss, and the like, as many species 

 take up their winter-quarters early, especially if the autumn be a 

 cold one. The blossoms of ivy and privet attract many beetles, 

 and they should be carefully examined. 



September, of course, is the great month for sugaring for 

 moths, and when the collector is searching for them on the trees 

 he should keep a sharp look out for Coleoptera also. Many 

 night-flying beetles are caught when " light " is being used for 

 moths. By " sugar" and ''light " many species are caught which, on 

 account of their being night-flyers, would not otherwise be taken. 



Fungi, especially when decaying, are certain to contain 



