NOCTUJiLIT^. 303 



under a lamp a slight tap with a ruler will kill them without 

 injuring the specimens. In warm, foggy evenings, they enter 

 in great numbers. The moths fly in July and August, but 

 many species occur only in autumn, while others hibernate and 

 are taken early in the spring. An English writer says, " moths 

 are extremely susceptible of any keenness in the air ; a north 

 or east wind is very likely to keep them from venturing abroad. 

 Different species have different hours of flight." 



An P^ngiish entomologist states, that "after dusk the flowers 

 of the willow are the resort of several species of moths (Noc- 

 tuid^), some of which have hibernated, and others have just 

 left their pupa state. It is now some flfteen years since the 

 collectors first took moths in this way, that were likely long to 

 have remained deficient in the collections but for the discovery, 

 by Mr. H. Doubleday, of the attractive powers of the sallow 

 blossoms. I believe it was the same gentleman who found out 

 about the same time that a mixture of sugar and beer [or rum 

 and sugar or molasses, etc.], mixed to a consistence somewhat 

 thinner than treacle, is a most attractive bait to all the Noc- 

 tuidoe. The revolution wrought in our collections, and our 

 knowledge of species since its use, is wonderful." 



"The mixture is taken to the woods, and put upon the 

 trunks of trees in patches or stripes, just at dusk. Before it is 

 dark some moths arrive, and a succession of comers continue 

 all through the night, until the first dawn of day warns the 

 revellers to depart. The collector goes, soon after dark, with 

 a bull's-eye lantern, a ring net, and a lot of large pill boxes. 

 He turns his light full on the wetted place, at the same time 

 placing his net underneath it, in order to catch any moth that 

 may fall. The sugar bait may be used from March to October 

 with success, not only in woods, but in lanes, gardens, and 

 wherever a tree or post can be found to put it upon. The best 

 nights will be those that are warm, dark and wet ; cold, moon- 

 light, or bright, clear and dry nights are always found to be 

 unproductive. It is also of no avail to use sugar in the vicinity 

 of attractive flowers, such as those of the willow, lime or ivy. 

 Sometimes one of the Geometridce ox Tin ei dee comes, and 

 occasionlly a good beetle." The virgins' bower, when in blos- 

 som, is a favorite resort of Noctuse. Many can be taken by 



