CATCHING BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS 97 



use, cut a circular piece of flannel or other absorbent, steep it in 

 sugar that has just been flavoured with ruin, and place it in the 

 bottom of the tin. Then place a few pebbles of equal size around 

 the sides to support the zinc partition, drop in the partition, and 

 then allow the net to hang on the rim as shown in the sketch. 



This arrangement will explain itself. The moths, attracted by 

 the sweet perfume, flutter about in the net till at last they find their 

 way through the small ring. Once in, they make further attempts 

 to reach the sugar ; and, at last, finding all efforts fruitless, 

 and, like Paddy at the fair, not being able to dicover the ' entrance 

 out,' they finally settle down in a disappointed mood awaiting your 

 pleasure. 



Perhaps another word of explanation is necessary here. Why 

 not allow the poor creatures to reach the sugar that attracted them 

 to the spot ? The reason is this. They sometimes gorge themselves 

 to such an extent that their bodies, dilated to the fullest capacity 

 with syrup, are a bit troublesome when the insects are placed in the 

 cabinet. It is therefore advisable to see that the zinc is so far above 

 the sugar that the moths are unable to reach the latter by thrusting 

 their extended proboscides through the perforations. A few dead 

 leaves scattered on the zinc is also a useful addition, since it affords 

 shelter to such of the insects as prefer it. 



This is a very useful trap to keep in one's garden throughout the 

 season. It may not attract large numbers, but it has the advantage 

 that it requires no watching. It is simply necessary to set it at 

 dusk, and remove the captives in the morning or at your leisure. 



K 



