5394 Insects. 



a larva, and its probable or usual duration in that state, a little expe- 

 rience will soon enable him to know how soon he ought to dig for the 

 pupa. A fortnight will generally be found ample time. Let us take 

 Notodonta dodonaea as an example. The larva of this insect is full- 

 fed about the 25th of August. Allowing, then, a fortnight for the 

 change, the collector should begin to dig about the second week in 

 September ; and during the ensuing three weeks of that month he 

 will probably find more specimens than during the whole of the 

 remainder of the season. Of course all the larvae of the same species 

 are not full-fed on the same day, many causes combining to produce 

 some uncertainty in this respect ; but, as a rule, the variation is not 

 considerable. But though, for the above reason, the pupa digger 

 should be unusually active in his exertions during September and 

 October, let him by no means afterwards sink into inglorious ease, 

 content to rest on his laurels. Pupae may be found all the year 

 round. I seldom let anything like a fine day pass without taking a 

 good walk into the country, trowel in hand ; and if I return home in 

 January with only two pupae, instead of the eight which I might very 

 probably have taken in October, I am quite satisfied. Successful or 

 unsuccessful, 1 can confidently recommend the exercise to the corpu- 

 lent and obese. 



Hints. 



At the risk of appearing tedious, I append a few observations as to 

 the method of digging, the best localities, &c. I am aware that 

 these observations have, for the most part, appeared elsewhere ; but, 

 considering that this paper would be incomplete if they were entirely 

 omitted, I must ask the indulgence for recapitulating some of them. 



The only implements required are a common garden trowel and a 

 small box filled with damp moss, for the purpose of carrying the 

 pupae, which should be handled as seldom as possible, and with the 

 utmost tenderness. I may here remark that the pupa digger must not 

 be surprised or disheartened if some of his pupae dry up. This is 

 caused by some unlucky, probably unseen injury, inflicted at the time 

 of capture, and, however great his caution, will not unfrequently 

 occur. But to return : — With regard to localities, the best are un- 

 questionably parks and meadows with scattered timber trees. Those 

 trees from which the surrounding grass has been worn away by the 

 feet of cattle, and those situated on the borders or banks of streams, 

 dykes, &c, when the soil is dry and friable, will be found the most 

 remunerative. When the pupa digger enters on new hunting-ground, 



