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JOURNAL R. A, S. (CEYLON), [VOL. IL, PART I. 



always apparent) is the digested particles of food, instead of 

 being as usual disposed in beautiful and regular forms, are 

 humid and flaccid. 



Of the pupa, little can be said as to collecting them ; they 

 may be found in all situations. The most likely places are 

 behind the loose bark, and in crevices of trees, about their roots, 

 in holes in old walks, and among dead leaves, &c. The pupae 

 of butterflies are usually attached to, or suspended from, or 

 near, the plant on which they feed. It may not perhaps be 

 out of place to mention here that European collectors have a 

 method of capturing the perfect fly which is termed " sembling." 

 This consists in exposing a virgin female of some of the large 

 moths in a small cage in the open air ; the males of the same 

 species will surround her prison house, and are so intent upon 

 their amorous chase that they may easily be captured by the 

 hand. By this means some of the rarest moths are taken. 

 Exposing an old sugar cask or basket smeared with honey, is 

 also a good plan ; and I have taken a fine yellow underwing 

 ( Triphcena) in the toddy vessels and only there. A bright light 

 at night near an open window attracts many insects not 

 otherwise found. 



Rearing Lepidoptera from the larvae and pupae is doubtless 

 the best way to obtain fine and perfect insects, and consequently 

 a more valuable collection ; but all insects cannot be found in 

 these states, from the inaccessible nature of their haunts, which 

 are deep jungles, lofty trees, thick bushes, and the interior of 

 water plants, where the larvae, by a kind and wise Providence, 

 have been taught to conceal themselves. Some also inhabiting 

 more open situations, escape the attacks of even their natural 

 enemies — birds — by their exact resemblance to the branches and 

 leaves of trees. Many of the Geometridce — " surveyors " as they 

 are termed — are capable of standing erect and motionless for 

 hours together, like a dead twig. To the touch even they are 

 hard and round, owing to the amazing force of their muscles. 



