92 the taxidermist's guide. 



is not uncommon for country people to hang dead moles on 

 bushes; under these the Entomologist should place his net, and 

 shake the boughs on which they are hung, as many of the Cole- 

 optera generally inhabit these. 



Fuxgi and Flowers. — These are the constant abode of insects, 

 and many curious species will be found on them. 



It is a mistaken idea that insects arc only to be found in sum- 

 mer, as they are to be met with, either in a living or pupa state, 

 at all seasons. Dried moss, beneath the bark of trees, and under 

 stones, arc extremely likely places to find insects in winter; and 

 even then the Entomologist is more likely to procure some of 

 the rare species, than in summer, as these are ranging in search 

 of food, and in situations hidden from view. 



At this season, if the weather is mild, the pupae of Lepidoptera 

 will be found^at the roots of trees, more especially those of the 

 elm. oak, lime, &c, or beneath the underwood, close to the trees, 

 and these frequently at the depth of some inches under the 

 ground. 



In the months of June, July and August, the woods are the 

 best places to search for insects. Most of the Butterflies are 

 taken in those months, flying about in the day-time only- 

 Moths arc either found at break of day, or at twilight in the 

 evening. The following method of taking Moths is pointed 

 out by Haworth, in speaking of the Oak Moth (Bombyx Quercus). 

 " It is a frequent practice with the London Aurelians," says he, 

 "when they breed a female, of this and some other day-flying 

 species, to take her, whilst yet a virgin, into the vicinity of 

 woods, where, if the weather is favorable, she never fails to 

 attract a numerous train of males, whose only business seems to 

 be an incessant, rapid, and undulating flight, in search of their 

 unimpregnated females ; one of which .is no sooner perceived, 

 than they become so much enamoured of their fair and chaste rela- 

 tion, as absolutely to lose all kinds of fear for their own personal 

 safety, which, at other times, is effectually secured by the reiter- 

 ated evolutions of their strong and rapid wings. So fearless, 

 indeed, have I beheld them on these occasions, as to climb up and 

 down the sides of a cage which contained the dear object of their 

 eager pursuit, in exactly the same hurrying manner as honey-bees, 

 which have lost themselves, climb up and down the glasses of a 

 window." 



