46 
SPRING. 
caterpillars vi'iW be found. Every kind of tree, 
shrub, and plant, should be beaten into the 
clap net, or umbrella, which must be quickly 
pushed under the branches or plants intended 
to be beaten, or the insects will fall to the 
ground. The sunny sides of the skirts of woods, 
lanes, hedges, banks and roads, are the most 
productive places for beating. After several 
smart strokes with a beating stick, which will 
be necessary to dislodge many of the cater- 
pillars, the produce may be examined, and the 
insects secured. The best time for obtaining 
caterpillars is early in the morning, and late 
in the evening by means of a lanthorn, for many 
feed only at night, and conceal themselves by 
day. 
It is by far the most preferable mode to col- 
lect the caterpillars and rear them, as the per- 
fect insects which are caught on the wing are 
seldom found in a fine state. By rearing the 
caterpillars with ordinary care, and watching 
the appearance of the perfect insect, fine spe- 
cimens may be obtained. It is, however, by 
no means intended to dissuade the collector 
from capturing them under any circumstances, 
for some species are only to be obtained in their 
winged state ; their caterpillars being un- 
known or difficult to rear. From the middle 
