And Preserving Insects. 105 



Moths are attracted by liglit. The English lepidopterists adopt 

 the following plan to capture Bombyces, Geometridce,Pi/ralides, and 

 even the Sphingidce ; sometimes the genus Smerinthus make their 

 appearance. " To obtain moths by light it is advisable to have 

 one light outside the room in advance of the window, and one 

 inside the room ; the former light bringing the moths within the 

 sphere of attraction of the inner light. Those who try this plan 

 will find that all nights are not equally successful ; sometimes the 

 moths will come in perfect swarms, and all sorts of rare species 

 come to the collector, instead of his having to go in search_ of 

 them ; at other times, though the weather seems favorable, no 

 moths will come, and the collector becomes disheartened, and 

 declares the light " no go." It is no use to try light on a bright 

 moonlight night, but dark and dull nights, with not much wind* 

 are generally the best." 



Butterflies and moths are pinned through the centre of the 

 thorax, and held as nearly as possible vertical, if anything with a 

 point lather inclining backwards. When a specimen is pinned 

 on the setting-board or drying-box, then cut braces of card taper- 

 ing nearly to a point, and place one under each of the wings to 

 keep them in a horizontal position ; in three or four days the in- 

 sect becomes dry, then the braces may be removed, and the speci- 

 men transferred to the cabinet. 



In summer care must be taken to exclude mites from the set- 

 ting-boards as well as the cabinet. A mixture of equal parts of 

 oil of thyme, oil of anise, and spirits of wine spread over the set- 

 ting-board, together with a piece of camphor is necessary. Lepi- 

 dopterous insects are also procured by means of what is termed 

 a breeding-box, which is divided into compartments, with about 

 six or seven inches of good earth, for such species as go through 

 their transformations under ground care should be taken that the 

 earth is free from vegetable matter, as it will mould and destroy 

 the pupge. The inside of the box should be rough, so that such 

 caterpillars as form dry cocoons, can attach themselves more natu- 

 rally ; the top to be covei ed with gauze or wire fame. It re- 

 quires considerable attention to feed caterpillars, therefore, it is 

 much easier to hunt for pupse and cocoons. For this purpose the 

 lepidopterist must carry a tin-box containing some sand and moss, 

 and a trowel : a round bladed one is best ; with this instrument 

 he can dig at the roots of trees, and other favorable localities. 

 " No pupss hunter can hope for success, unless he have a good 



