50 



INSECT LIFE. 



lo. Place the card bearing the head and wings 

 of a butterfly immediately below this label. 



LESSON XXVI. 



ON COLLECTING MOTHS. 



1. The fact that moths, or millers as they are 

 often called, do not fold their wings above the body 

 like butterflies makes it impracticable to kill speci- 

 mens by pinching the thorax. Very large specimens 

 can be killed by chloroform, as described in Lesson 

 XXIII; but most specimens should be taken from 

 the net by placing the mouth of an open cyanide 

 bottle over them. Never touch a specimen with the 

 fingers if it can be avoided. 



2. Do not carry moths in a cyanide bottle with 

 other insects. It is best to have a separate bottle for 

 Lepidoptera, for they are liable to be injured by rub- 

 bing against other insects ; and the specimens of 

 other insects wnll be soiled by the scales from the 

 butterflies or moths. 



3. Many moths can be collected in the fields by 

 day, but much larger numbers can be taken at night 

 at lights or at sweetened baits. Read the sections 

 on sugaring and on collecting at lights on pages 292 



to 293. 



4. Collect as many kinds of moths as possible, 

 taking especial pains to get the specimens in good 

 condition. 



5. Carefully spread one or more specimens of each 

 kind ; other specimens may be simply pinned and left 

 till winter, when they can be relaxed and spread. 



