SOME EXPERIENCES IN MOTH HUNTING. 30 
Another of the same species was a puzzle for a long time, until at 
last found in cones of the Spruce Fir. Others I have found in the 
pith of stems of various plants, such as thistles and bulrushes. There is 
one family of moths, the “ Swifts,” the caterpillars of which feed on 
the roots of various common plants, one in nettles, and another in 
brake-fern, and a third, the “Ghost Moth,” in dock and dandelion. 
_ Again, some caterpillars live on the wood of growing trees, such as 
several of the “ Clearwings,’ a remarkable family of moths, more 
resembling flies. One very large caterpillar, that of the ‘ Goat 
Moth,” lives on the solid wood of large trees, such as ash, elm, and 
willow. It grows for three years and attains the length of the middle 
finger. The trees are often actually killed by these caterpillars. 
The moth is very seldom seen, though sometimes attracted by “ Sugar- 
ing. 
” 
The Caterpillars often come out of trees when full-grown, and 
wander about looking for suitable places in which to change to 
| chrysalis, when most of them are found. I have had five or six 
brought to me at various times, and have reared moths from them. 
Rearing caterpillars is very interesting work, though it is subject 
to many disappointments but this is the case with all pursuits; and 
the collection of Moths and Butterflies has certainly one great 
recommendation—that it takes the collector into many very inter- 
esting places, and brings him into contact with many interesting 
people. I have had some amusing adventures, and have had one or 
two narrow escapes from bodily injury. But, on the whole, I have 
experienced a great amount of pleasure in the pursuit of Entomology, 
and have accumulated a certain amount of knowledge. It has been 
a genuine pleasure to me to tell you some of my experiences, and I 
hope that some of you may be aroused to take an interest in nature, 
and to observe the objects which are so constantly brought before 
