88 



IMAGOS] JUNE 



energy. As some species can be more readily taken early on sunny summer 

 mornings, the hours of sleep should not be unduly prolonged. Some stern 

 poet cynically says : 



" Nature requires five ; 



Custom gives seven ; 

 Laziness takes nine ; 



And wickedness eleven !" 



And though we shall, of course, meet with many species "of no mark or 

 likelihood," we can scarcely fail in a fair locality to be rewarded with some 

 good prizes. Many butterflies commence flying at seven o'clock in the morn- 

 ing on hot days. In day searching, the beating-stick will be a sine quA non; 

 but low bushes and herbage should not be beaten from the top, but rather 

 from beneath, otherwise many species which are concealed therein are only 

 driven lower down. Not much good will attend the beating of thatch this 

 month. The food of the larvae of the species required, especially where it 

 occurs in some plenty, should have special attention paid to it. Flowers, 

 especially Silene, Lychnis, honeysuckle, and ragwort, are often a great 

 attraction. . The lime, and other trees which blossom this month, should be 

 sought for and examined. Cossus infected trees, and gummy exudations from 

 fruit trees are alike a fascination, both for butterflies and moths. Day sugar- 

 ing, as well as by night, has been recommended, and where flowers are scarce 

 is generally successful. Many species may be smoked out of grass, bushes, 

 and banks by ignited touch-paper. Among those species which do not travel 

 quietly when boxed are T. rubi, H. hectus, A. velleda, C. plantaginis, T. 

 derasa, and T. batis. 



At that charming time, when 



" the twilight shadows grow, 

 And steal the rose-bloom genial summer sheds," 



many species start out from their hiding places, and remain on the wing for 

 a short time only. Then is the "witching time" to catch them; and in 

 some favoured places local species appear in swarms at such times. 



At night, when 

 " The dark, delightsome woods lie veiled and still," 



many fragrant flowers become extra fragrant, and additionally attractive to 

 moths. The following are more especially of this character : Wallflowers, 

 lime blossoms, the butterfly orchis, the fragrant orchis (occurring on chalky 

 heaths) the musk mallow, and the yellow bedstraw. The lure of "sugar," 

 too, at this time may be used with advantage, especially where there are few 

 flowers ; or the flowers themselves may be sugared, more particularly in 

 places where there are no trees. Large bare tracks may be thus made to 

 yield a good harvest. If pieces of white paper are placed near the trees, &c., 

 when they are sugared, they may be readily seen and identified in the dark 

 in the successive visits which are paid to them in the course of the night. 

 The French are said to use putrid soapsuds as a bait, as the sugar in France, 

 which is made from beet, is not attractive, from having no smell. Artificial 

 light is also a great means of capture. A bright light placed near a partially- 

 open window is recommended. 



