45 



the larva state, in the wood of trees, from 

 which they emerge early in the morning, and 

 will at this time be found sticking against the 

 trunks of the trees, until their wings become 

 sufficiently expanded and dried, when they take 

 wing and fly with the greatest rapidity. But 

 they may occasionally be found feeding on the 

 nectar of flowers, into the blossom of which 

 they dart their long tongues, whilst they remain, 

 like humming-birds, suspended on the wing in 

 the air. Moths are far more extensive in the 

 number of species than either of the before- 

 mentioned tribes, but appear more difficult to 

 be obtained, if we may judge from the state of 

 various collections ; indeed, this difficulty is 

 increased, as but few of these insects fly during 

 the day, and then dart along with a rapidity 

 that often puts the Collector at defiance : a 

 few, however, may occasionally be disturbed 

 from their retreats by beating about beath and 

 long grass ; and these will fly only for a short 

 distance and settle again, but often so secrete 

 themselves as to completely elude the most 

 vigilant research : the Collector must, therefore, 

 be active, and, with his net always ready, pursue 

 and capture them before they again settle, or 

 they will be lost for ever. The same will also 



