1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 257 



Catoeala to that of the bark of most trees they are not easily 

 detected. Often a novice will be doomed to disappointment in 

 seeing what he supposed to be a fine specimen, a piece of pro- 

 jected bark, or the like. Again he will be misled by mis- 

 taking what looks from a distance like a bit of tree-moss, bark 

 or one of the many things that look so similar, for a splendid 

 specimen of that large genus, Catoeala. In short, " experince 

 teaches," and never have these words held truer than in this 

 very instance. 



When a place like the one described is found the collector 

 must exercise great care in moving among the trees. Always 

 approach the tree you are about to examine from the sfeady 

 side. Do not get closer than is necessary in order to detect 

 any specimen that may be hidden in the furrows of the bark. 

 When having spied a specimen approach it very slowly and 

 move as little foliage as possible. When the rim of the net 

 will just about touch the object on which your Xoctuid is situ- 

 ated place it very cautiously about three or four inches from 

 the insect, with part of net-rim touching tree, of course with open 

 side of net toward the moth. Now, without waiting for the 

 insect to fly, make a brisk dash toward it with your net, and 

 (if you have been swift enough) the prize is yours, when it 

 must be stopped from fluttering in the net at once. This is 

 done by giving it no room to move about. Place your thumb 

 and forefinger beneath the wings on thorax and give a smart 

 squeeze, which will at once end its struggles to escape. Ex- 

 perience has taught me never to wait for the insect to fly, for 

 nine times out of ten you will miss it. 



To testify that net-collecting is a most satisfactory method 

 I can do no better than state that on the 21st of June, this 

 year, my brother and I captured forty-three specimens in two 

 and one- half hours. 



[Note.— We do uot believe it is possible to collect Catocaloi in a 

 perfect condition by means of a net, and there is no collector who 

 would have rubbed specimens. The best way is to use /o?/r needles 

 set in a handle,at right angles to each other and between one-eighth 

 and one-fourth inch apart. The needles are thrust through the 

 thorax and the specimens taken in this way are faultless. The next 

 best way is touse a well-charged,wide-mouthedcyanide jar.— Eds.] 



