244 HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB. 



stonemason of much needed sleep. In connection with the 

 preservation of larvae, which is a rather tedious and un- 

 pleasant task, it is amusing to hear Boult tell the story of its 

 commencement in his own case. A fellow entomologist had 

 apparatus for the purpose which cost some pounds ; 

 nevertheless, after a few attempts, the well equipped tyro 

 gave up the larvae business and stuck henceforward to the 

 imagine. Our friend, on the other hand, took up the work ; 

 his tools, including blowpipe and small portable oven, costing 

 altogether under a shilling ; and now he is an acknowledged 

 expert in this interesting department. 



When not engaged indoors at work such as the above, 

 the entomologist takes advantage of nights when the weather 

 is favourable to secure night flying moths by the device 

 known as "sugaring." A compound consisting of treacle 

 and rum is made in a portable vessel and taken to the haunts 

 of the insects, where it is painted on palings, tree trunks, 

 walls, and other objects. The smell of this stuff attracts 

 moths, and on settling to sip thereof, they are taken by the 

 light of a small pocket lantern. The practice is certainly pro- 

 ductive of insect booty, but now and again brings down on the 

 entomologist's devoted head the execration of absent minded 

 lovers who likewise get involuntarily caught in the sticky 

 mess. The somewhat prowling habit of the man with the 

 lantern and treacle pot have been known to arouse the 

 suspicions of the police until they became fully aware of his 

 harmless intentions, and ended by becoming, not infrequently, 

 assistant collectors. On the other hand orchard and garden 

 thieves, mistaking the entomologist for the police, have been 

 suddenly frustrated in their evil designs. Perhaps the most 

 amusing, if somewhat serious, episode in connection with 

 "sugaring" and in direct contravention of Boult's non- 

 alcoholic principles, was that in which certain naughty boys, 

 having learnt the nature of the sweet compound, followed the 

 operator at a distance and with their tongues licked the rum 

 and treacle off the palings ! But " All's well that ends well," 

 and this has generally been the case in our friend's ramblings. 

 Nothing has happened more untoward than the extinction of 

 the light, and subsequent involuntary wading or ducking in 

 an unseen dyke (ditch) or pond. 



In all his many daylight and nocturnal rambles, Boult has 

 not always been mindful of the notice, "Trespassers will be 

 prosecuted," although no one is more desirous of being law 

 abiding. Damage or spoliation of any sort he invariably 

 avoids, and so does not deem his trespass within the meaning 



