BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM [52] 



The insects attracted by tlie light strike against a vertical tin screen 

 fixed above the can and fall into a tin funnel the small end of which 

 enters and closes the mouth of the can, and they are thus conducted 

 into the last. A sui^port or post in the center of the can bears a hollow 

 tin cone, the apex of which is x)ierced with a number of small holes to 

 admit light, and enters and j)artly closes the lower end of the funnel. 

 The entire interior of the can is painted black and the chief light comes 

 through the holes in the apex of the interior cone. The entrapijed in- 

 sects endeavor to escai)e by crawling up the central post towards the 

 light coming through the small holes in the end of the cone rather than 

 by the entrance slit about the latter and fall back repeatedly until over- 

 come by the cyanide. 



Many of the Lepidoptera will be ruined by the beetles and other in- 

 sects or by their own ineffectual attempts to escape, but Coleoptera, 

 Hymenoptera, ISTeuroptera, and Hemiptera are secured in satisfactory 

 condition. 



Many of the devices are very complicated and can not be described 

 in this connection. The nocturnal species, also, fly into our houses, and 

 this is especially the case in the country, and an open window, with 

 a strong light reflected onto a table covered with either a white paper 

 or a white cloth will keep one busy, on favorable nights, in iDroperly 

 taking care of the specimens thus attracted. 



Another favorite method of collecting moths early in the evening, or 

 as Tate as or later than midnight, is by sugaring. This consists in smear- 

 ing a mixture of sugar and vinegar, or some similar compound, on the 

 bark of trees or on the boards of fences, and visiting the spot from 

 time to time to collect the moths attracted to the bait. It has been 

 found that the use of beer or some other alcoholic liquor, as rum or 

 brandy, with the sugar or molasses water, greatly adds to its efficiency in 

 attracting the moths. This method of collecting moths will be found 

 especially efficient on warm, moist, cloudy nights. The collector should 

 be provided with a dark lantern and a good net, and a number of wide- 

 mouthed cyanide collecting bottles. The smearing should be done just 

 before dark, and I have always found that better success attends this 

 method of collecting when two are engaged in it — one to hold a bull's 

 eye lantern while the other bottles the specimens. Experience will soon 

 teach the surest way of approaching and capturing the specimens. 



For collecting Microlepidoptera, in addition to the ordinary net, some 

 special apparatus will be found very essential. Lord Walsingham 

 makes use of a special glass-bottomed pill-box, with which to capture 

 specimens, and the satisfactory nature of the work done with this box, 

 and the dexterity acquired by j)ractice with it, I can vouch for by per- 

 sonal experience. These glass pill-boxes are useful, also, in admitting 

 of the examination of specimens, so that worthless or common species 

 can be discarded and only desired forms kept. The method of holding 

 these boxes is illustrated m the accompanying illustrations. (Figs, 



