Microscopical Society* 3525 



" P.S. — I forgot to say that the specimen comes from Muzo, mean temperature in 

 the shade 75°." 



" The Secretary of the Entomological Society." 



Mr. S. Stevens read the following extract of a letter, addressed to himself, from 

 George Bush, Esq., dated " Orillia, Canada West, February 18, 1852: ''— 



" I know that you take great interest in anything relating to the capture of moths, 

 and I have found out some new methods which may be of use to you. In summer I 

 let some dirty soap-suds stand for a few hours, and exposed to our powerful sun they 

 soon become offensive. In the evening I take any old pieces of rag, dip them in the 

 liquid, and then hang them on the trees ; the moths soon find them out, and no mat- 

 ter how many trees and flowers are in bloom, I have still many moths come to my 

 cloths. I have even placed them near a large bed of the most fragrant flower in Ca- 

 nada (Asclepias Syriaca), and still had my share of moths. The Geometrine moths 

 and many of the Nocturna are extremely fond of the fermented soap. This plan may 

 not succeed in England; perhaps the weather is not sufficiently hot, and the English 

 Lepidoptera may be more refined in their tastes. I have frequently seen butterflies 

 here on dead fish, &c. The plan I have just mentioned is even more successful here 

 than sugar in England ; I think I have seen as many as seventy moths on a surface 

 of 18 inches square, on a favourable night. I have tried sugar at different times with- 

 out any success. The moths will come to the sap of the sugar-maple tree, but that 

 will only run when the nights are frosty, so that very few species are in season at that 

 time of the year. I think in England, by having a very brilliant light in the woods, 

 you might capture a great many moths. I use for that purpose the birch-bark, which 

 gives an intense light." 



Mr. Stevens said he had tried the soap-suds once without success ; but he thought 

 they were not sufficiently putrid. 



Part 1, vol. ii., n. s., of the Society's ' Transactions' was announced as just ready. 

 —J. W. D. 



Proceedings of the Microscopical Society of London. 



March 17, 1852. — Geo. Jackson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



L. S. Beale, Esq., Dr. Hamilton, and C. C. Smith, Esq., were balloted for and duly 

 elected Members of the Society. 



A paper by Geo. Shadbolt, Esq., entitled " Hints on the subject of collecting Ob- 

 jects for Microscopical Investigation," was read. In this paper the author gave a brief 

 account of the mode of collecting Diatomacese, Desmidieas, and other Algae. He also 

 mentioned several localities where such objects are to be met with, more particularly 

 noticing the neighbourhoods of Northfleet and Bromley, in Kent. He described the 

 necessary apparatus, and also pointed out the various appearances assumed by the 

 objects sought for. He also gave many useful directions as to the mode of securing 

 them when found. 



