2 METHODS OF PRESERVING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 
and is lost in the darkness, soon again to appear glancing swiftly past the light, and then down- 
ward into the shade, as before. Agrotis corticea, the Heart and Club Moth, is less fleet on the 
wing than the preceding, and instead of flying downwards towards the floor, invariably rises 
towards the ceiling, attracted apparently by the mild white light by which itis pervaded. — Cos- 
mia Pyralina (the Lunar-spotted Pinion Moth), if it enter a room attracted by the light, is very 
wild and irregular in its flight, dashing from the candle to the ceiling, and from the ceiling to 
the flocr. Though this insect is by no means common, I have taken it more than once in a 
lighted room, always, I believe, on a rainy evening, and towards the end of July.  Clisiocampa 
Neustria, the Lackey Moth, is as abundant as the last described species is rare, and yet it is 
seldom seen in the perfect form, as it is a swift night-flyer. This moth, on entering a room, 
attracted by a light, has the same wild flight as the species last described, and is rather difficult 
to capture, even with the aid of a proper net. Later in the season may be taken Petasia Cassi- 
nea, popularly known as the Sprawler, which, like the last, is much more rare in the winged 
state than in the Caterpillar stage of its existence. It is, however, often attracted by a light, 
when its flight becomes random, dashing heedlessly on all sides through the flame of the candle 
up to the ceiling, or down to the floor. This species seldom appears before November, and is 
often found as late as December. It is late in the hour of its flight, as well as in the season of 
its appearance, often retarding its visit to the expectant candle till one or two in the morning. 
Still later in the year appears the remarkably elegant December Moth, Pwecilocampa Populi, 
which is easily attracted by light, and, if any be in the neighbourhood, they will make their 
appearance between the hours of seven and ten on favourable evenings. 
Sitting in a well-lighted room, with the window open to the dark garden, a watcher, active 
with the net, may capture in succession many species in a single night. But before the shades 
of evening have sunk into darkness, the collector should have perambulated, net in hand, the 
most shady walks of his garden, beating the shrubs with a stick held in his left hand ; when he 
is sure, at the right season, to meet with the male Ghost Moth, flitting white and bright before 
him, and then vanishing as suddenly, as the dark under-side of the wings meet the eye instead 
of the snow-white upper surface. Then there will be the Phantom Moth, like the miniature 
skeleton of some delicate insect, haunting the spot where it had once flitted in more substantial 
shape. This is the “ White Plume,” sometimes called the Skeleton Moth. These and many 
more rare and handsomer species will reward persevering pursuit on a favourable evening. 
A very successful method of capturing night-flying Moths, is that of tempting them to 
settle in a certain spot by a bait of sugar. The sugar is reduced to a thick solution by the 
addition of water, and then brushed upon the trunks of trees, old palings, &e., in favourable 
situations. The baited spot must be visited once an hour or so, or the insect may have paid 
the visit, and again taken to flight. Some collectors place a light near the sugared trees as an 
additional attraction, and some add a large white sheet behind the sugared trees, upon which 
the light should be made to fall as brightly as possible. 
At dawn of day, on a fine mild summer morning, some of the rarer Sphingide may be 
taken fluttering over their favourite flowers. I took a magnificent specimen of Sphina Convol- 
vuli hovering over a bed of Petunias, this season. 
The preservation of insects thus taken is very simple, and the best methods are perfectly 
known to all experienced entomologists. But Iam writing for those who are at present with- 
out such experience. The Butterfly or Moth, while still in the net (which should be allowed 
to lie close together, so as to prevent as much as possible the movement of the insect), should 
be taken hold of by the thumb and finger underneath the chest, and suddenly pinched with 
some little force, which immediately destroys all sensation. It may then be dropped lightly 
from the net, so as not to injure the delicate scales of the wings. An entymological pin* 
must then be passed through the thorax from the upper side, between the wings, in a perfectly 
upright position, passing through to a sufficient extent to allow of the insect being firmly pinned 
to the bottom of the cork-lined box. The same process will be followed in all subsequent cap- 
tures, taking care not to place the specimens too close together in the box. 
Some collectors put each insect, if a particularly fine specimen, or very rare species, into a 
* Pins that do not corrode, and which are sold by all vendors of collecting apparatus. 
