MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



when I induce one to climb upon bark, branch, or flower 

 for a study, they seldom place their wings as I want them. 

 Often it takes long and patient coaxing, and they are 

 sensitive to touch. If I try to force a fore-wing with 

 my fingers to secure a wider sweep, so that the markings 

 of the back wings show, the moths resent it by closing 

 them closer than before, climbing to a different location 

 or often taking flight. 



But if I use a fine camel's-hair brush, that lacks the 

 pulsation of circulation, and gently stroke the wing, and 

 sides of the abdomen, the moths seems to Uke the sensa- 

 tion and grow sleepy or hypnotized. By using the 

 brush I never fail to get wing extension that will show 

 markings and at the same time the feet and body are in 

 a natural position. After all is said there is to say, and 

 done there is to do, the final summing up and judgment 

 of any work on Natural History will depend upon whether 

 it is true to nature. It is for this reason I often have 

 waited for days and searched over untold miles to find 

 the right location, even the exact leaf, twig or branch on 

 which a subject should be placed. Then I have used 

 from one to three assistants, worked under the nerve 

 racking suspense of fearing my moth would take sudden 

 flight, and escape entirely or be broken and disfigured in 

 recapture, in order that these studies may have an out- 

 door atmosphere, a proper background, middle distance 

 and foreground, the subject sharply outlined in a natural 



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