88 



WORK AT HOME AND IN THE FIELD 



freely. Three sheets of glass are now to be placed as shown in the 

 sketch (fig. 51), one upright piece completely shutting off the lamp, 

 and two others placed obliquely with a space between them just 

 large enough to allow admission. These must be exactly the 

 width of the box, and should not be permanently fixed, but simply 

 resting on small wooden supports nailed on to the sides. When re- 

 quired for use, it is only necessary to light up the lamp, strew some 

 dead leaves on the bottom of the box, and put the sheets in their 

 places. It will be seen at once that the angles at which they are 

 placed will direct all light-seekers into the lower compartment, 

 whence they are not at all likely to find their way out again ; and 

 after vain endeavours to reach the light they finally settle down 011 

 the sides of the box or seek shelter among the dead leaves. 



Occasionally it hap- 

 pens that an entomologist 

 is lucky enough to claim 

 the friendship of a person 

 who, from the nature of 

 his calling, is peculiarly 

 well qualified to render 

 him great assistance. 

 Thus a friendly lamp- 

 lighter, expert and patient 

 in the use of the cyanide 

 bottle or pill box, is capable 

 of giving valuable aid at 

 times ; and the keeper of a 



lighthouse has it in his power to capture many a gem that is seldom 

 seen on the wing ; but, although much may be done by means of 

 these and other stationary lights, this kind of work does not com- 

 pare favourably with the night rambles of a naturalist in the very 

 haunts of the objects of his search. 



For such outdoor work in search of moths a good lantern is 

 essential. An ordinary * bull's-eye ' is almost useless, for, although 

 it concentrates a good light on certain objects, the narrow range of 

 its rays constitutes a strong objection to its use for entomological 

 work. For this purpose it is necessary that the rays of light not 

 only pass in front of you, but also shoot off right and left to warn you 

 of the approach of a moth before it is too late to wield the net. 

 This wide range may be obtained by means of three flat glass sides, 

 or, better still, by a bent plate glass front. 



FIG. 51. A TRAP FOB CATCHING MOTHS. 



