52 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 



In the first place, the collector should be provided 

 with two argand lamps, one of which is to be placed 

 outside on the window-sill of the room, the other inside 

 the room on a table opposite the open window ; the 

 outer lamp attracts the moths from all directions, and 

 when they are opposite the window they are attracted 

 by the inner one into the room. 



On very still evenings, an argand lamp will burn out- 

 of-doors without protection well enough, but if there is 

 wind even a very little it will be very soon blown 

 out, and therefore it is desirable to have it enclosed in 

 some case or frame, so that while the light streams out 

 from it the wind may be kept away from it. 



Next, two particular points have to be borne in 

 mind : 1st. You cannot collect by light on bright 

 moonlight nights. You must notice when the moon 

 rises and sets, and light up accordingly. 2nd. You 

 cannot collect by light if your window faces the wind, 

 for moths fly against the wind ; and if the wind is west 

 you must put your light on the east side of the house, 

 or if the wind is east you must have your attracting 

 room on the west side of the house. 



Moths begin to come to light as soon as it gets dark, 

 and continue coming for some time ; indeed, occasional 

 stragglers will come throughout the night ; the collector 

 might, therefore, with advantage remain in his collect- 

 ing room till daybreak, ready to secure every specimen 

 the moment it appeared, for some only remain for a 

 short time in the vicinity of the light and then fly away, 

 and others which remain quietly enough half the night 

 fly away before daybreak. However, if the collector 

 does not wish to sacrifice his whole night's rest at the 

 shrine of science, let him go to bed about midnight, and 



