6 



This is the poorest year for catching insects I 

 have seen. Positively, it is a lean year. 



The netters put out traps in the woods last night. 

 ¥e use the night lanterns every night, but the stars are very 

 bright, and the results are very meagre. 



There are lots of fossils and we are gathering some, 

 but of course they are very heavy, and complicate the matter 

 of transportation. The collectors are very disappointed and 

 complain of the ill luck. Labelled boxes 351-3, Insects 

 from the Kongshien district. 



Aug. 1. The Chuan Miao gave me a grea-t ceremonious 

 welcome today. Fourteen years ago I was instrumental in 

 starting the first primary school among them here, and it is 

 still thriving. A graduate has finished high school. The 

 nearby Chinese official was present. There v/as singing, exer- 

 cises by the students, folk dancing, etc. The netters have 

 worked hard all day. A good snake was caught. 



Last night at Loh Biao there was a fight between 

 brigands and the militia. The brigands escaped. Shooting was 

 not advisable today. 



The collectors are putting out more traps tonight. 

 So far night-moth catching has been very unfruitful, because 

 of unfavorable weather. 



Aug. 2. We are positively having the worst luck I 

 have ever had collecting. There seem to be no wild momitain 

 mice, and practically no other mammals here. The insects are 

 scarce, and they do not come to the night lanterns. Several 

 times there have been thunder storms in the afternoon, as 

 there v/as today, but always the stars shine brightly at night. 

 Yfe are getting more bees and v.-^sps than anything else. The 

 altitude here is 3000 feet. 



Aug. 3. Got a few insects and one snake. Another 

 heavy thunder and rain storm this afternoon, and again 

 tonight the stars are shining brightly. 



Luck is certainly against us this year. 



Aug. 4, For the first time tonight we have had a 

 tiny bit of luck. Some fine moths have come to the night 

 lanterns. 



We are planning to go to Mt. Omei and see what v/e 

 can catch on the way to the top of Mt. Omei. Maybe v/e can 

 have better luck there. 



