8o PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NATURALISTS. 



With respect to the photography of butterflies and 

 moths the writer fails to see any particular advantage 

 to be gained from photographing them alive. Dead 

 specimens can easily be set in any position that is 

 characteristic of the living creatures. The wings, 

 which, by their markings and coloration, form the most 

 important distinctions between members of the same 

 family, remain for a considerable time unchanged after 

 the death of the owner. The absence of any visible 

 muscular anatomy in that portion of a large moth 



which requires to be stuffed 

 for preservation renders the 

 stuffing, if carefully done, 

 lifelike enough for ordinary 

 photographic purposes. 



Should the photogra- 

 pher, however, be bent on 

 securing a picture "from 

 life," he will find the follow- 



Red Admiral. . ... 



ing " control method a 



simple and certain one. The butterfly, or moth, 

 having been secured, is placed in a wide-mouthed 

 glass jar, together with some of its favourite food 

 plant, the latter being inserted in such a way that 

 it can easily be withdrawn. The jar is covered 

 over and left overnight in some dark place. In 

 the morning it is brought into the daylight, and, in 

 nine cases out of ten, the subject will be found 

 asleep on its plant support. The camera being in 

 readiness, plant and insect are gently removed from 



