MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES, OR LEPIDOPTERA. 59 



or by pricking between the forelegs with the quill and 

 oxalic acid used in killing grasshoppers. If they are 

 not to be mounted instantly, they should be packed in 

 pieces of paper doubled in a triangular shape, with the 

 edges folded. Butterflies may be reared from the egg by 

 capturing the impregnated female and confining her in a 

 box pierced with holes to allow fresh air to enter. In 

 this box she will deposit her eggs ; these are allowed to 

 hatch, and the larvse fed upon the leaves that they natu- 

 rally subsist upon. When sufficient time has expired they 

 wUl cease to feed, and form a pupa or chrysahs, and either 

 in a few weeks or the ensuing year come forth perfect 

 insects, when they should be instantly killed. In this man- 

 ner the collector will be able to seciu'e fine specimens. 



Although some few of the moths are diurnal in their 

 habits, the greater part are strictly nocturnal. A great 

 many specimens may be decoyed by the use of a bright 

 light. During the months of May, June, July, August, 

 and September, the following method may be practised 

 with advantage in securing many specimens. Mix coarse 

 brown sugar with alcohol enough to form a thick paste, 

 saturate rags thoroughly with this paste, and hang them 

 on trees or stakes in an open grove or wood at twilight ; 

 or daub some of the mixture upon the stakes or trees. 

 This mixture, thus exposed, will attract the moths. The 

 places should be visited every few minutes with a dark 

 lantern, taking care not to throw the light upon the spot 

 until near enough to catch the moths in the net if they 

 should attempt to escape. 



Mr. F. G. Sanborn — who informs me that he uses the 

 strong-smelling New England molasses in the above-de- 

 scribed manner with success — rightly remarks "that moths 

 may be divided into three classes by certain species of 

 them being affected differently by the appearance of arti- 

 ficial light in the night. One class are powerfully attracted 



