32 FIELD AND FOREST. 



I also have an instrument for taking moths, which I call a gig. It 

 is made from a metalic pen holder. To prepare one I cut off the part 

 where the pen is inserted and force in a piece of wood to which is 

 fastened three needles in triangular form (.*.) projecting beyond the 

 holder half an inch or so. When not in use it can be carried in the 

 vest pocket as a pen holder would be, by simply reversing the portion 

 the needles are attached to and thrusting it into the metalic handle, 

 forming a sheath. I find this instrument very useful for taking 

 any moths after . they have been disturbed, or from under small 

 twigs, bark, &c, when and where you cannot get your killing 

 bottle near them. It is an easy matter to take a moth with your bottle, 

 when it is at rest and in a clear place, but after being disturbed it is a 

 difficult one to cover him, and it is out of the question to take any 

 moth with the net without more or less damaging the specimen. 



For killing all large bodied moths that I either raise or take alive, 

 I use either a solution of cyanide of potassium or corrosive sublimate ; 

 both are good. Hold the insect by the under side of the body, with 

 the thumb and first finger of the left hand, keeping the wings closed, 

 stick them in the side of the thorox with a steel pen dipped in the 

 solution ; cecropia and such large ones must be stuck deep, while 

 catocala and smaller ones need only have the point inserted. I use a 

 steel pen because it holds the solution better than any instrument I 

 have found yet. 



James S. Johnson. 



The Subject of Insect Warefare in Great Britain. 



An important conference was held at the Society of Arts on Tues- 

 day afternoon on the subject of insects injurious to agriculture and 

 methods of stamping them out. Its origin was a proposition by An- 

 drew Murray (who has had the arrangement of the collection made by 

 the Science and Art Department,) which he laid before the Lord 

 President of the Council. The proposition was printed by order of 

 the president, and copies were sent to the agricultural societies 

 and chambers of agriculture of the country. After the proposition 

 had been before them for two months and there was no indi- 

 dication of any notice being taken of it, it was arranged that a con- 

 ference of delegates of agricultural societies should be held at the 



