112 COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF INSECTS. 



May, June, and October ; caterpillars in May, June, and 

 September : collectors often speak of the spring beating 

 and autumnal beating for caterpillars. Entomologists will 

 soon find that particular insects are attached to particular 

 flowers : who has not seen the honey-bee revelling on a 

 bank of thyme ? or the peacock butterfly perched on our 

 commonest thistle, closing his beautiful wings, and exhi- 

 biting only their sable surface ? 



